SHOP THE POST
MADEWELL BLOUSE | MADEWELL DENIM | STEVE MADDEN HEELS {similar} | ANTHROPOLOGIE PURSE | DAVID YURMAN BANGLE | DAVID YURMAN RING
When I was 20 years old, I had just started cosmetology school and really wasn’t sure what my career/life would turn in to. Even though I hid it well with a smile on my face when anyone would ask me about school, I felt like a complete and utter failure leaving my major in dance and starting Plan B as being a hairstylist. It was a decision I made as I knew that I needed to get done with school as quickly as possible while my parents were going through their divorce and that I could find a job soon after I graduated. Little did I know, it was the best decision I could have ever made for myself.
Fast forward to now, I am the co-owner/hairstylist/make up artist of Etoilly Artistry, co-owner of shopsaltflat.com (an online women’s boutique,) and author/creative director of this blog! I’m not completely sure what I’m doing or how I manage to have a personal life, but I am 100% certain that I’ve followed my heart and my gut when it came to pursuing my dreams as a female entrepreneur and it’s landed me here. Living a life I never thought I would have at 24 years young and being the happiest I’ve ever been! So cheesy, I know, but I’m beyond thankful and grateful for where I’m at in my career.
Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way and what I tell anyone who’s thinking about going out on their own and starting a business.
1. CREATE A BRAND
Think about what you want your work/business to look like. Create a brand that you can be consistent with and that you’re proud of. My business partner, Ling, and I spent months and months and months on creating mood boards and looking at site designs for shopsaltflat.com. I absolutely love what we created for our store and the consistency we’ve had with each changing season. And even for Etoilly Artistry, Hailey and I knew what we wanted our brand to be and we sought out that particular style. Romantic. Soft. Timeless.
2. DELIGATE TASKS
I’ve learned that I can’t do every little thing on my own. I used to pride myself on saying “No thank you, I have it under control.” But I honestly was a frantic maniac before I put trust in others to carry out tasks that needed to get done. Ling and I have a really good system on delegating tasks for Saltflat and same for Hailey and I for Etoilly. Hailey handles all of our communications and she does an absolute amazing job at it. I’m terrible at answering emails so I’m so thankful I have her to rely on to make our business run smoothly! Ling is an incredible website designer and photographer and she covers that entire part of our business together. I on the other hand am technically challenged.
3. MANAGE YOUR TIME
I love my social life. I love driving up to Dallas to be with Paul. I love my wine nights with the girls. And if there’s any chance in hell that I get to do any of that, I’ve learned to manage my time between the three businesses. I like to allocate 2-3 hours a day on each business without any interruption, I put my phone on “do not disturb” so I don’t get distracted because home girl has ADD. I also give myself “me” time which I think is SO important. I can easily burn myself out by working 14 hour days and that’s just not how I like to operate. It works for others but definitely not for me. I would hate myself!
4. HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR BRAND
Confidence (easily confused with arrogance) in your work and yourself speaks volumes to others! If your proud of the work/business you’ve created, you have so much pride and worth in how you’re making a living. The saying “if you love what you’re doing, you won’t work a day of your life” is so very true.
5. FIND YOUR GANG
Surround yourself with like minded people and find a community that lifts you up and supports you. The beginning stages and even well into your business, it can be an emotional rollercoaster and having friends to confide in is beyond valuable!
Like I said, I have no idea what I’m doing and everyone operates differently! I hope this encourages you to take the plunge in to any new project you might have in mind! As always, I’m here if you need me!
