1. Smart water and almonds 2. Simply balanced fruit strips 3. myAgenda agenda from Paper Source 4. Bare Minerals Lash Domination mascara 5. Mac Creemesheen “Speak Louder” 6. Jergens SPF 20 bronzing face cream 7. Essie “ballet slippers” nail polish 8. Almonds 9. The Honest Co. Baby wipes 10. Poppin’s Aqua ballpoint pens.
What’s your biggest accomplishment?
When my son was 4 months old I began my master’s program. I graduated 2 years later with an MBA in marketing. But my biggest accomplishment isn’t the degree (although I am pretty proud of the little boy we’ve been raising!). I’d say I’m most proud of the decision I made to walk away from some potentially lucrative offers in pursuit of creative entrepreneurship. It was the more challenging route, and I still have moments when I doubt that I made the right choice, but with a little patience and a lot of faith, I know I will look back one day and say, “damn, that was the right move.”
What are three books you would recommend to our readers?
1. “Tribes” by Seth Godin
2. “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
3. “The Desire Map” by Danielle LaPorte
4. #Girlboss is inspiring too!
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned since launching?
Communicating expectations and remaining firm on policies (even when it doesn’t feel nice) is so important. Clients can only be pleased if they know what to expect. And then you are also giving yourself room to go above and beyond, surprise and delight, exceed expectations, and all that good stuff. I provide services to clients all over the world, and our primary means of communicating is through email. I can’t smile and hug my clients (although sometimes I want to!) and let them know that they can trust me and that I will work hard for them, so I have to be very thoughtful about communication and setting expectations.
What’s your advice to someone interested in starting their own business?Start before you’re ready. If I had waited for everything to be perfect, I would still be waiting! It’s going to feel “icky” and not good enough (and in a year or two you will cringe at some of your first works/posts/products), but that’s ok. And that’s how you learn.
Where do you receive inspiration?
From other entrepreneurs and bloggers who are building their business from the bottom up.
If you could have one famous entrepreneur as your mentor who would it be?
Hmm, Marie Forleo? I love her! Is she famous?
Do you feel your life is balanced between work life and your personal life?
Right now, yes. But I have had to learn how to compartmentalize areas of my life. It was harder before when I was still balancing a full class schedule, the business, and being a new mom. But now I know that in order to be my best in the office, in my creative space, or with clients, I have to “leave work” mentally and physically every day. Now, once I’ve left my office for the day to pick up my son, I’m 100% present with him and my husband. Of course, if it’s really busy, I’ll return to my home office after Cruz is asleep, but most nights I don’t.
Soundbytes:
What is your indispensable gadget: iPad/iPhone
What’s your favorite app? Normally Afterlight, but currently ESPN Fantasy Football
What’s your favorite account to follow on Instagram: @OhJoy and @EmilyLey
What’s your favorite item in your closet: Free People ripped denim boyfriend jeans
