Talented Twenty Something's

• Owner of designKREW, Los Angeles, CA

How was designKREW born?

I was working as an Art Director at an independent magazine and I kept having all these ideas and I would present them and they wouldn’t be heard.  Being that the job was in the publishing industry, I had a hunch that the company wasn’t going to last very much longer. I jumped ship even though I had zero clients, zero money and ZERO clue what I wanted to do.  I actually call it my “zero moment.” I said to myself, I have two options; I can freelance for a while and just see or I can try to hunt down another job. Trying to hunt down another job did not seem like fun and I am a firm believer if you think you can do something to better yourself then you better go and do it. So that’s what I decided to do. Organically, a client fell into my lap and I started doing work for that person…and then another one… and then another one … and then all of the sudden designKREW was just happening without me realizing it.  It confirmed for me that I had made the right decision.  And I went for it…jumped all the way in.

How did you make the leap to starting your own business? (Did you have any financial backers or did you just start small on your own?

Really, it’s that I met the right people at the right time and it evolved from there.  No financial backers.  It was savings and credit cards and a HUGE leap of faith in the beginning.  I actually spent most of my savings to hire a business coach to get me started.  That was my way of putting faith and investment into what I was creating.

What have been your biggest learning’s since starting designKREW?

You can’t do it alone – no matter what stage you’re at in the process of building a business!  Even if it’s in the beginning when you have no budget, make sure you surround yourself with motivating people who can support and guide you.  That way when you are ready to throw in the towel or are feeling overwhelmed (which will happen many, many times), they’ll step in and cheer you on.  Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you should (or even can) be doing everything or you’ll burn out and you’ll lose your passion. And now that I have had the experience of a solid, beautiful team both in business and in my personal life…I’ll never go back!

You have quite an amazing and talented KREW of employees.  How did you find such great people?

Step One is I’m really clear on what I want as well as what my expectations are and I try to communicate that as clearly as possible.  Step Two is I don’t settle. That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, fire quickly and hire slowly.  Be really clear on what it is you want out of your team and then communicate that as clearly as possible.  Do as many interviews as you have to for as long as you need, to get the right candidate in place. Also make sure they aren’t just like you, you need people who will fill in your weak points versus want to be doing what you’re already a natural at.

How do you market yourself?  Do you find your own clients, or do they come to you?

Our clients come to us for the most part. I’d say our clientele is 98% referral and it’s something I’m really proud of. To have the clients that we work with be so thrilled that they can’t wait to tell other people about us is a great testimony to designKREW as an agency.  I don’t know that it was always that way as I did a lot of networking in the beginning.  We’ve always put the focus on creating relationships rather than clients, and I truly believe that is a huge component to our success.

Words of wisdom for other entrepreneurs who are looking to make the jump from on-the-side freelance to full-time business owner?

There are a few guidelines I put in place right from the get-go and I’m happy to share:

Get Guidance!  Don’t try to do it on your own.  Either find a mentor who is doing what you want to do or get a business consultant ASAP.  Really interview them before you work with them and make sure they are a right fit for you.

Dive In! Don’t feel like you have to have the full blown-out plan to make the leap into starting your business.  You actually don’t have to have all the pieces together to start because you don’t know what you don’t know yet. The business environment is changing so quickly anyways - a 5 year plan is ridiculous. I say have a guideline and be flexible.

Trust your Gut!  Trusting my instincts has been one of the most successful and rewarding experiences of running designKREW.  Always trust your own instincts about your own passion project.  There is no greater authority on the matter. The caveat to that is FIRST make sure you are in touch with your instincts, however you need to do that.  Make it a practice to get in touch with your intuition – you inner-guidance system – and then always trust that.

You’ve Struck Gold!  Once you land a client, you’ve struck gold. Truly.  The effort it takes to conjure up a new client is to high compared to the effort it takes to retain one you already have.  So make customer service even MORE important than the product you put out.

What’s the Endgame?  Can’t remember where I heard it but you got to begin with the end in mind. Make sure you’re doing something that motivates you and moving toward something you want…REAL BAD.  Whatever your “WHY” whatever your vision is, hold it close to you and revisit it Every. Single. Day. because when the cinnamon hits the fan you got to remember what you’re doing it all for! My staff and I bust out our own personal vision boards and visualize for 5 minutes every morning.

• Founders of Impact Development Consultants, LLP, Costa Rica

Background: Not many people can pick-up their lives in the US to move to a remote city in Costa Rica, but that is exactly what Ann Marie and Matt Rosensteele decided to do.  After being in the Peace Corp in Costa Rica, Matt was approached by founder of Restoring Our Watershed, Will Raap, about working with the organization.  Matt and Ann Marie became entrepreneurs when they took up the offer to work with Will Raap’s organization in Costa Rica.  The two developed a business that partners with ROW called Impact Development Consultants, LLP.  Check out the interview with Ann Marie below…

• How was the idea of Impact Development Consultants, LLP born?

The project was somewhat stagnant when we first started talking to Will about joining the organization. He made it clear that he needed leaders with vision and decisiveness, not employees needing constant direction. We decided to form a consulting business, Impact Development Consultants, which would be contracted to realize the work plan proposed. Our slogan is “More Impact, Less Overhead”, referring to our small operating paradigm and personal management of projects/initiatives. This results in more funding going directly to program initiatives and less to administering it. Our work here is inspiring and exciting but at the same time we are building a business resume that we hope will open doors to future clients and opportunities.

• What kind of impact do you see IDC having on the people/businesses of Costa Rica?  

(People are getting to know us here as representatives of ROW. Our business, IDC, operates in the background.) In the area where we are working, the project goal is two-fold. Without getting terribly technical, we want to strategically reforest land that has been chopped for pastureland, thereby improving the infiltration of rainwater and the Nandamojo river system. We also want to improve the local food system through micro credit programs. We hope to use the programs to increase the availability of organic, sustainably produced foods as well as create jobs for area residents. In addition to these long-term goals, we have short-term projects that seek to connect the river valley communities to each other and their environment using a monthly newsletter and creation of a watershed-wide committee. All of these elements support a more viable future in this area and if we succeed here, we can export our strategies to other watersheds across the globe.

• What are some of the challenges you’ve had to overcome since starting your business in Costa Rica opposed to the US?

We went from leading very comfortable lives in the US to packing only two suitcases each of clothes and two trunks of home-related gear for our new lives in Costa Rica. For us, the challenge (as well as the excitement) comes from this leap of faith that we’ll have a decent roof over our head and reasonable access to resources (such as phone and internet). And so far, so good!

• What are best/worst parts of moving your life to Costa Rica from the corporate grind of the US?

There are so many great things about where we live but if I had to just name a few, they would include our constant proximity to nature, the simple lifestyle and the super friendly people. Some of the hard parts include working in a new language, being far away from your friends and family, and combating the relaxed, “it’ll get there eventually” attitude that comes along with living in such a beautiful place.

• What’s ahead for the future?

We love Costa Rica and will certainly be open to continuing our partnership with ROW if that is an option after the two to three years is up. Beyond that, ideally we would market our consulting services to other organizations for international development work.

• How can others in the US help with the organization?

If you would like to help, you can read more about and donate to our organization online at ourwatershed.org. Restoring Our Watershed is a 501(c)(3) so the donation is tax-deductible. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter to get updates on reforestation projects and new micro-credit programs.

• Independent Artist for self titled work EMMY STAR BROWN, Chicago, IL

When did you discover your design style for your self-titled art Emmy Star Brown?

 With my background in graphic design, a lot of my initial designs were inspired by typography, letter forms and fonts. I would often try to emulate the curved forms of script fonts, which then eventually evolved into my current patterns, swirls and lines.

 The idea of painting on salvaged glass windows came to me after constantly finding them in Chicago alleys. I also have always loved the idea of re-purposing things, giving them a second life.

 How have you built a business as an independent artist in Chicago?

I constantly am working toward finding new venues to install my work, new mediums to explore and new people to meet. 

  How many hours a week do you work…realistically speaking :) ?

I try to stick to working 40 hours/wk in the studio - however when I have shows, its not unusual to work 12-15 hour days.

What has been your biggest professional accomplishment thus far?

I received a ‘Best of Show’ award at the One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart last year. I also find it extremely flattering to be hired to do commission projects. Recent projects include painting glass kitchen cabinets in a home, paintings a bike frame & I currently have several of my designs tattooed on people’s bodies. My work is always taking me to places that I had never dreamed of.

What is your advice for emerging artist out there?

Follow your passion. It took me 2 solid years to get where I am - but it was the best move I ever made.

Be sure to check out some of the newest Emmy Star Brown pieces!

Enjoy!

Now that you have a great idea I’m sure you’re wondering how can you get someone to manufacture it or do the labor for you locally.  Jackie and I both have gone back and forth with how to go down this path and in doing so have some learnings to share:

1. Local Production: If your looking to start small and test out your product, try going local.  It can be as easy as putting an ad on craigslist.com or searching your local community college.  You’d be amazed at the talent and affordability you can find through outlets like these.

However, make sure to always keep your records straight as once you pay someone over a specific amount (this changes every year but is over $1000), you will need to deduct taxes from their income (http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc756.html).

***Just be sure to protect your idea if necessary with a non-disclosure form. 

2.  www.mfg.com: If you are looking to expand your production or if your product requires specific manufacturing components, www.mfg.com is a great resource.  At no cost, you can file what is called an RFQ and submit your product to a worldwide list of manufacturers.  Again, protect yourself by having manufacturers sign a NDA which is an easy option on the site. 

3.  www.alibaba.com: Again this is another great site to find manufacturers to make your product.

Know of any other resources or helpful tips? Post a comment!

Best of luck!

So I know you are probably saying…”Wait a minute…I thought you had to be twenty to be on this blog?”  Well, Helena missed the cut off by about 4 months, but we thought it could be a good time to showcase a “Talented Twenty Something” who is now a “Thriving Thirty Something!”  ENJOY!

 How was THE KITCHEN SINK BAG born?

It came as a fully formed vision - literally as if my brain took a photograph and then handed it to me and said, “Here. I think you’ve been looking for this”.  It happened while I was driving and I went “Oh my gosh!  The expression ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ can actually be a bag that looks like a sink!” I kept trying to explain what I was seeing to anyone who would listen but it was too conceptual.  It didn’t take long for my husband to tell me I was just going to have to make it.  I had made lots of things before, especially clothing, but never a bag.  He and I worked through the preliminaries (color, fixtures, etc) and then I was off to the hardware store.  I’ve been in high gear ever since.

Did you always want to run your own business?

I always knew I wanted to do something with impact, something that would enable me to call the proverbial shots.  While trying to determine what I really wanted to do, I spent time in the real estate, retail, and restaurant industries gaining all kinds of experience in sales, marketing, PR, and event management.  After work hours (sometimes during!) and on the weekends I was always coming up with wild new concepts and ideas.

How has THE KITCHEN SINK BAG evolved over the past three years?

There has been tremendous growth in terms of clientele - both private clients and retailers - which has fueled evolution because demand has increased.  My orders are up significantly as well as my events ie: Trunk Shows and Fundraisers.  I have interns working for me now and I outsourced the work on my website which was a great move.  Sometimes it can be difficult to be doing everything yourself and then realize you need to relinquish some of the control and transition aspects of the workload.  But doing so enables me to focus on what I do best: innovating and selling.

Your handbags are very innovative and unique.  Did you ever find it hard for people to take a chance on such an innovative product?

When you have a product that is so different, it’s going to polarize people in terms of their tastes.  My designs are for someone seeking something cutting edge and interesting; a conversation piece.  I think there are also people who respond favorably to the history behind the company - they like the pitch and thus they want to be a part of what I am doing.  And then, of course, there are the people who turn up their noses.  It’s tough to swallow sometimes but happily they are very much in the minority.  I try to take their perspective and learn from it.  There’s nothing like criticism to make you want to improve.

What has been your coolest THE KITCHEN SINK BAG moment?

This past Spring my sister-in-law Caroline sent me a link to the Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA).  Her caption was “When am I going to see TKSB on here?”  I sort of laughed it off and came up with all kinds of excuses as to why I should wait a year… and then I took a closer look at the criteria and figured why not?  Hours before the deadline I submitted the Mini-Mattea into the InStyle Red Carpet Ready category.  A few days later I was walking down the street and received word that I was a finalist.  I let out a “WOOHOOO!!!” and started jumping up and down in the middle of the sidewalk. It was a wild month of publicizing the contest and it all culminated with an opulent evening and awards ceremony in New York City.  It was such a thrill to see my work in the midst of handbags created by seasoned designers from around the world - truly an affirmation of everything I am doing with The Kitchen Sink Bag.

What’s next for your business?

So many things!!!  Right now I am working of refining my manufacturing process so that I can focus more on product development.  I have all kinds of ideas for bags I am aching to put into production as well as some alternative accessories that will fulfill my passion for versatility - think a scarf and a bracelet that can work together to become a belt.  I am also working on ideas to present to a large retailer of shoes/boots/bags and clothing.  They are interested in partnering with me so we will see what comes of that ;)

Words of wisdom for young, budding fashionistas that are reading this?

Follow your instincts, take chances, and have confidence in your decisions.  A true fashionista knows she looks fantastic no matter what and because of that she will always stand out.  It’s the people who look around for approval that get lost in the crowd.