Turn The Tables II - Question 14
If you have one piece of advise to someone just starting, what would it be?
This is the last and final turn the table for the year, and this question is a great one to end a magical table of inspirational people. What is the one piece of advice I have to someone starting out in business? I would say to just DO IT. No, not Nike, but just start somewhere. If you wait to be perfect you will never start. Get your idea out into the world and run with it. Honestly, getting it out when you can is smart. It allows you to access feedback from your community, family, customers, clients, etc. Don’t feel like because we see what we feel is perfect all the time via social media that we have to put out perfect. It is not going to happen. I hate to burst your bubble but there is no perfect. Even when you think it is perfect, there are still going to be things. So JUST ROCK IT OUT!
I hope you all stay tuned for the start of Turn The Tables 2018, where I will bring more inspiring women and men together for another year of table discussions and fun. Who knows, maybe I will bring a dinner party to your town! < — serious dream of mine. Anyone want to sponsor me? Ha ha!
xo, KristenCONNECT WITH Kristen: INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER | SNAPCHAT
Be Patient! Understand that there will be obstacles along the way but stay true to your path. Success does not happen overnight so don’t take shortcuts or you will spend more time backtracking and digging yourself out of holes than heading towards success.
CONNECT WITH ANGIE WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG | SNAPCHAT
CONNECT WITH E. FRANCES
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
Do you. Do not try to imitate what is already out there. Find your voice and then shout.
CONNECT WITH STACIE
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Don’t be afraid to give your ideas a chance; there isn’t enough time in the world to behave that way. Have confidence and be proud of yourself for taking the risk. Imagine how many people have never been in a position to make a leap of faith in this way, or were too afraid. Life is too short to have those types of regrets.
CONNECT WITH JANE & ANDY
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
I once heard a phrase from a friend that goes something like; “If your company can’t function without you then you’ve only created a job for yourself and not a business.” This phrase really stuck with me because it’s put things into perspective as to how I should run and operate my business. Thought this might help anyone that’s just starting out on their own as well to think strategically and plan ahead on how they should structure and run their company.
CONNECT WITH SHERRY
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Do the work.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Fight for what you truly love to do. Many creatives do not receive encouragement along the way and others may plant seeds of doubt along the way. Some of those seeds might have seemingly good intentions or are just examples of how hard they struggled. But it’s a fight to identify any roots of doubt and dig them out of the dirt. Also, criticism and rejection comes with the territory, so no matter if your work continuously gets rejected from juried shows or publications, if you still hear that quiet voice the next day to get back to work, by all means GET BACK TO WORK. Fight for your passion. I have a ceramic plaque that I love with the quote “Cherish your dreams, they are your wealth.”
CONNECT WITH GINGER
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Start somewhere, start small, just start. I like to say that it takes 5,000 steps to climb a mountain - it doesn’t matter if you walk those steps or run them… what matters is that you make it to the top.
CONNECT WITH TONYA
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | PODCAST
You will make every single mistake there is to make once. Don't beat yourself up about it; it's how you learn!
CONNECT WITH CATHERINE
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Geez. Very specifically—get to NYC and go the Columbia Publishing Program. It’s the fastest, cheapest, easiest way into this business. If you can, get a job as an editor first and build contacts while getting a salary and experiencing something corporate before you dive off into the no man’s land that is agenting. Unfortunately, you need a second job, a second income or a lot of start-up capital to do this because it’s commission-based so be aware. Be ready to be a heavy reader, writer, editor, business person, negotiator and therapist. And, if you can be happy doing anything else, do that. This is tough. It must be natural to you. You must also have heart and grit and passion for it. Success in this business is up and down, both heady and tragic. That said if you do it right it's a great life and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
CONNECT WITH KIM
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | BLOG
Find a squad that can support you, learn all that you can from those that came before you, show up and be a part of a community, and don't define your success monetarily. It sounds cliche but don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle or end and keep your eyes on your own paper.
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Go with your gut. Listen to that little voice inside you and let it show you the way. Follow your enthusiasm, that’s your intuition guiding you along.
CONNECT WITH LIZ
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG | SNAPCHAT
Be nice to the people at the post office, it will come in handy.
CONNECT WITH CAREY
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Network! Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but do your own research. A referral is always great, but it will benefit you more to do extensive research as well because of what you’ll learn along the way. Google is your bestie!
CONNECT WITH ROBYN
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Don’t know too much. If you know all the risks, you may never dip your toes in. On the flip side, you need to understand enough to know what the heck you've stepped into. Finally, get ready to work your butt off. I don’t believe success happens that easily, so get ready to rumble.
CONNECT WITH NANCY
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | SNAPCHAT
Do not let fear stop you from the thing that you want most. The voice in your head, whether it came from your over protective mom, a frenemy or just from your childhood, cannot hold you back from your dreams if you choose to not let it. You have the choice to step out and say “I want this goal enough” and take steps to achieve it. Along the way, ask for help and find people who understand your goals!
CONNECT WITH REINA
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Take some time to clearly define your brand (even if it’s just you making products in your basement, it’s a brand). It can be as simple as one sentence. It’s so easy to get distracted but if you have a clear vision of what it is you make or sell, it will help guide you. For example, I run a “vintage inspired party supply store”. So when someone approaches me with a design for super modern paper plate, even though I may personally like it, it’s not the right aesthetic for my store. And likewise, that person’s definition may be “I make modern party décor” - and they shouldn’t bend and make something with a vintage puppy illustration on it. Stay true to your brand.
CONNECT WITH JESSIE
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Be curious, be part of the action, volunteer in the industry and be nice to everyone.
CONNECT WITH STEVE & JILL
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG | SNAPCHAT | INTERIORS
Get going. Don’t hoard your ideas (you’ll get more, and they’ll be better, I promise!) and don’t spend all your time watching other people be successful on social media. Once you start, you can (and will!) evolve, but evolution can’t happen if you’re hanging out at the starting line waiting for someone to give you permission to get in the race.
CONNECT WITH TIFFANY
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | PODCAST (SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES)
WORK HARDER THAN EVERYONE ELSE!!!!!!!
CONNECT WITH MANDY
WEBSITE | SHOPPE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG
Really? Just one? I have so many things to say! I guess if I had to say one thing today it would be, don’t let your ego get in the way of your success. And one more….. find a mentor that can help you with pricing, contracts, confidence, and support.
CONNECT WITH LESLEY
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
If you don’t have purpose or passion you’re not going to succeed! Make sure you have goals and a plan of action.
CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG | CHRISTINA'S INSTAGRAM | CHRISTINA'S WEBSITE
Don’t be afraid to try new things, ask for help and stay humble.
CONNECT WITH MARY
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG | SKETCHBOOK SERIES INSTAGRAM
Fake it til’ you make it! Put in the work before you put yourself out there, and make it look reeeeeeal good. If you look like you are already a runaway success, people will accept that and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Put on your confident face and show off a little. Also, kindness goes a long way.
Leave a comment