Business Discussions

A former freelance photographer, Toby Thomas found his career skyrocketing after he joined James Allen and Elliot Hammer to run one of London’s most exciting creative agencies. As Creative Director for Birch, Toby has advised brands like GQ and Christian Vision and shot images for Deutsche Bank, Reebok, Elle Magazine and Hillsong London.  We caught up with Toby to hear more about what he's learned after transitioning from freelancer to small business owner and the biggest pricing lesson they've learned so far.   Name: Toby Lewis Thomas Business: Birch Started: August 2009 (Toby joined as co-owner October 2014) How did you create your awesome job? While studying photography in school, I became involved in the music industry. I started touring with bands as a videographer/photographer and, shortly after, I decided to pursue it full-time. I rented a studio and started off with really small jobs, but my clients were always happy to recommend me. Back then, content — and par

After living in the Big Apple and working as an actor for a few years, Marie Jensen moved back to North Dakota where she established Relax Event Studio to plan parties and sell wedding graphics on Etsy. Along with doing a ton of volunteering work, she also found time to become a state representative in between!    We spoke with Marie about juggling it all, the one regret she has after trying out Pinterest advertising and how she developed her pricing formula.Name: Marie Jensen Business: Relax Event Studio Started: July 2014 How did you create your awesome job? I have several jobs, so I’ll tell you about all of them!  After graduating from NYU, I worked in the acting industry for a couple years and found it wasn’t my path, so I moved back to North Dakota and worked as the executive director of the local arts council. The job involved planning events, like a conference for 30,000 people or a dinner meeting for ten. I was also responsible for marketing and graphic des

With an eye for design and a love of creativity, stay-at-home mom Emily Carr crafted an Etsy store around her interest in pyrography — creating decorative designs in wood using burn marks. She balances raising a family with growing her customer base and has carved out a niche online for her unique hand-decorated wood pieces. We were thrilled to speak with Emily about building her small business from the ground up, how she sees her shop developing in the coming years and the excitement she still feels every time she makes a new sale. Name: Emily Carr Business: The Blonde Moose Started: 2012 How did you create your awesome job? I opened my Etsy shop after I found myself wondering what I could do from home while also taking care of two toddlers. I worked as an interior decorator before starting a family, so having a creative outlet was always really important to me. I wanted to be able to continue that alongside my new job as a stay-at-home mom. When I came across wood burning

After a number of years in traditional accounting firms, Andrew Berg realized that his and his partner’s special blend of business management, effective bookkeeping and their ability to identify key areas for improvement was helping their clients grow their businesses in a big way. Deciding to start their own firm next was the obvious choice.    Andrew recently gave us some insight into how his business consulting and accounting services make a real difference to his clients — and how he teamed up with Mike Brown at Death Wish Coffee Company (our big winner in Small Business Big Game!) to give Mike's business an extra boost.Name: Andrew Berg Business: Berg Partners Started: 2011 How did you create your awesome job? My partner Megan and I have been working together for 13 years now. This is the third public accounting firm that we've worked at together. Before this, we were with a real estate company, helping them with project management and corporate development. 

  As small business owners and self-employed professionals, financing and funding matters can tough to navigate — especially when you're just starting out or your business is still young.   When we first heard about how Christina Stembel from Farmgirl Flowersdiscovered a financing "trick" to make sure she's always ready in case her equipment breaks or she loses precious inventory, we immediately shared her tips with everyone we know.   Here's her story...     "At Farmgirl Flowers, we're 100% bootstrapped. I started my business with $49,000 and my whole goal was to never run out of money. I got down to $411 at one point, so I understand the struggle very well. My biggest suggestion for any small business owner is to get a line of credit when you *don't* need it, and sit on it.    My business is seasonal, so if one thing goes wrong, it's the difference between surviving or not. Once, one of our coolers broke and we lost $80,000 in flowers! I had to g

  How many times have you read a "how-to" and wondered, "How do I really use this for my business?"     Hack 1: Start With Your Why 17% of you told us that Instagram is your *most* effective social media channel for getting new customers. Even more folks shared that if Instagram isn't currently #1, it's not far behind.   There are a lot of how-tos out there and articles that also confirm this. We've even heard that Instagram is providing some brands with 25% more engagement over any other social platform.   Connecting with your customers matters, right? But is Instagram the right place for *your* business? We learned from our members that Instagram provides opportunities for both service-based businesses and product-based businesses to visually share their mission and their perspective with a targeted audience.  In fact, we heard that for many folks it's less about sharing images of your products and

  We have a mission — to capture in one place the largest collection of practical stories, experiences and ideas from small business owners and the self-employed for finding and freeing up cold, hard cash in a matter of days.   Cash flow is the lifeblood of every small business. For some of us, December brings a holiday bonanza of sales. For others, it’s a month with a never ending outflow of expenses and no new clients coming in. It’s the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat all rolled up into the final month of the year.  

    Advertising on social media is uncharted territory for many small business owners, and building the most effective strategy is even more so. Helping navigate this great unknown is Michael Koral and his co-founders. Their company cleverly creates, targets and optimizes advertising campaigns for small businesses across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.    We chatted with Michael recently to hear the story of how they came up for the idea for their business, his key strategies for hiring and the biggest lesson he's learned about pricing.   Name: Michael Koral Business: Needls Started: March 2014   How did you create your awesome job? I worked at a large corporation after college and hated it. I quit after a couple of years, traveled around Europe for six weeks and tried to figure out my next move.    I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and I wanted to be my own boss. Two of my friends from childhood,

  Staying up late and bending wood until 2am wasn’t exactly how Jenny Wong-Stanley envisioned life with two small children. Nevertheless, she's found a way to make her new passion pay by selling her unique handmade planters online — and her future looks bright.    We caught up with Jenny recently to chat about how she's learning to balance being a small business owner *and* a mom.   Name: Jenny Wong-Stanley Business: Art of Plants Started: December 2012   What inspired you to create your business, Art of Plants? It was sort of a fluke how it worked out!    I taught science before having my two kids and planned to go back after maternity leave the second time around, but it didn’t quite work out. One day, during nap time, I was reading about deforestation and found a misplaced article on bending wood.   I’d never heard of bending wood before, but thought it sounded cool, so I found an old wooden ruler, steamed it and tried to bend

   When a flooded apartment left Jeriel Sydney and her husband re-evaluating their lives, they decided to pack up and get back to basics in Italy. While traveling and volunteering on organic farms, Jeriel learned how to make soap — a hobby she kept up after she later returned to the US.   But this newfound skill wasn't the only thing Jeriel brought home with her. Her experiences abroad also left her determined not to pursue a typical 9-to-5 job. Soon, interest in her soaps started to bubbled up, and her business has been thriving ever since.     We recently chatted with Jeriel about the friends who helped her gain confidence in her company, as well as the advice she wishes she hadn’t asked for.     Name: Jeriel Sydney Business: Fable Soap Co Started: November 2014   How did you create your awesome job?   My story is pretty unique in that I went from studying clinical psychology to starting a soap company! My husband and I wer

  A shared passion for tea is what got James Chang hooked on the business of building Shen Zen Tea. Later, when he moved the company to the Pacific Northwest, an ever-growing demand for organic and sustainably sourced products opened up a world of new possibilities for him to sell via local farmer's markets — and expand his product line, too.   James chatted with us recently about the tenacity required to be a small business owner when you're just starting out and what he's learned after living through good times and tough times while building his business.    Read on hear his story!   Name: James Chang   Business: Shen Zen Tea   Started: 2012   How did you create your awesome job?   I originally had a business partner, Neil Buckland, who started Shen Zen Tea back in Florida. It was a different business model back then, where he sold a variety of teas mostly through home events.    I got involved in the business bec

    Ever wondered where you could buy a stuffed toy in the shape of a mitochondria cell? Well, wonder no more!   Meet Shari Bodofsky , a biology student who creates unusual handmade plush toys to delight kids young and old. The young entrepreneur’s Etsy shop was born out of a childhood love of crafting, but the business turned into what it is today not long after Shari moved from molding clay figurines to sewing and stuffing her own creations.   We chatted with Shari about appealing to her inner child (and gathering loyal customers along the way!), juggling homework with starting a small business and the lessons she's learned about personal branding.                     Name: Shari Bodofsky Business: Fresh Crayons Started: 2012   Tell us a bit about how you started your business!   In middle and high school I did a ton of crafting. People especially responded to the clay figurines

  When Araya lost her job as an interior designer, she decided to turn her misfortune into an exciting future by starting her own business from scratch.   To save cash in the early days of testing out her business idea, Araya learned how to do everything herself — from coding her website to creating the products she wanted to sell — so we had to know more about what she's learned along the way and where she's hoping to grow in 2016.   Take it away, Araya!   Name: Araya Jensen Business: Wind and Willow Home Started: February 2012   Where did you get the idea for Wind and Willow Home?   I was a kitchen and bathroom designer for 12 years before I was laid off due to the housing market crash.    I spent the next two years trying to find another job in my field while I was on unemployment and struggling to take care of my family. I knew I needed to find another source of income, so I came up with an idea for curating and selling g

   Kim makes papier mâché mobiles unlike any you’ve seen before — when she’s not training her kids to be rockstars, that is.    She honed her unique style in art school before finding work at a gallery in New York, where she also played bass in a band. 15 years later, and after moving her family across the county to settle in LA, she's now running a small business out of her home and selling her one-of-a kind mobiles online and in boutiques across the country.   With an approach to life that’s as quirky as her designs, we just had to find out how Kim’s making it all work on her own terms.   Name: Kim Baise Business: Jikits Started: May 2007    How did you create your awesome job?   I was born in LA, but moved to New York to get my Master's degree in art. I lived there for 15 years, making a living by working in a gallery, running little art shows of my own and playing bass in a band. When my kids were born, my husband an

  Darcy Cruwys started Swap Mamas, a website connecting parents across the United States, after she lost her job in the 2008 market crash. Her aim was to lessen the financial expense of raising children by encouraging moms to exchange kids’ clothes. But what began as a passionate community has now blossomed into a fast-growing business that’s received recognition from prominent publications like The New York Times and Parenting Magazine.   With big changes on the way for Swap Mamas, we sat down with Darcy to talk about keeping the company sustainable, sticking to her guns and how she still sometimes feels like she's winging it.   Name: Darcy Cruwys   Business: Swap Mamas   Started: January 2009   How did you get started?   Swap Mamas started in January 2009. When my daughter was born, I had a really tight-knit circle of friends, all with baby girls, who were scattered across the country. Whenever an older child grew out

    When we heard how Kate had turned her biggest flaw — lateness — into a thriving business, we just had to know more.    Here she chats with us about the importance of customer feedback and (spoiler alert!) why she keeps her prices high, even in a competitive market like Etsy.       Name: Kate Kennedy     Business: Be There in Five     Started: February 2014       How did you create your awesome job?   It all started as a way to stop my apartment from burning down!    Every morning on the train, I’d start panicking that I’d left something on. To ease my own worries, I painted "turn off your curling iron" onto my doormat so I’d see every day as I left. It worked like a charm!   I noticed the doormat industry was dominated by dated designs focused on welcoming guests into your home, so I decided to turn it upside-down with messages for people leaving the house instead. I started ou

      When Sarah Clement created her freelance illustration business, she was eager to make more space in her life for illustration.    It worked. After she quit her part-time job and threw herself into her creating her company, she started booking some awesome commissions and amazing new clients.   We were lucky enough to catch up with Sarah recently about balancing art and business, the importance of morning routines and her biggest college regret.     Name: Sarah Clement   Business: Sarah Clement Illustrations   Started: January 2015     How did you create your awesome job?   I'm an artist and illustrator. I take on projects like special commissions for clients, album designs and t-shirts. I've done a children's book as well.    I decided to quit my part-time job and pursue illustration about a year ago. I felt like I needed more time to invest in my art and I was getting a little bored selling han

      After learning to marry her passion for art with her interest in materials, Lillian Farag embarked on founding her unique business, creating unique and colorful prints and accessories. After three years as a one-woman show, she’s curious to discover how to take the next steps to grow her business and expand her reach.   We caught up with Lillian to talk about why craft fairs are big business for her, the importance of having a mentor and how to keep every day fresh and full of inspiration.   Name: Lillian Farag Business: Lillian Farag Started: 2013   How did you create your awesome job?   In 2013 I was working at Macy’s, developing prints and patterns for one of its labels. I felt stagnant, like I wasn’t learning much. I was ready for the next challenge, so I decided to go freelance.    That decision opened the door for me to collaborate with other artists and make the leap into starting my own business making accessori

  Khristian A. Howell is at the top of her game. She's been featured on the Today Show as a design expert, was a guest judge on American Dream Builders with Nate Berkus *and* she's a contributing editor for Better Homes and Gardens.    Not too long ago, however, she was just starting out as an intern in her first fashion design job. We caught up with Khristian to find out what it takes to go from amateur to expert, and how she's learned to run a business according to her *own* rules.   Take it away, Khristian!   Name: Khristian A. Howell Business: Khristian A. Howell Color + Pattern Started: December 2008   How did you create your awesome job? My partner and I relocated to Seattle from Georgia in 2004 for his job. At the time I didn’t know what I’d do in the Pacific Northwest — I’m not a camper! But fortunately, I also don’t believe in the word "no."    I had a degree in advertising, but always wanted to be in fashi

  Earlier this year, we were thrilled to share with everyone here in OWN IT that the folks at Death Wish Coffee Company were our big winners in Small Business Big Game. After their winning commercial aired back in February during football's biggest game (you can watch it again here!), founder Mike Brown and his team braced themselves for their biggest year yet.   Six months later, we're checking in with Mike to find out how they learned to scale their team and increase production of their popular coffee brand in order to meet the demand.   We also chatted with Mike to find out how he's setting new goals for his business after reaching this incredible milestone and what's next for the team as they continue in their quest to dominate the market with the world's strongest brews.   Name: Mike Brown Business: Death Wish Coffee Company Started: 2011   It has officially been six months since Death Wish Coffee Company was

    Connor started his first business when he was 12, mowing lawns for his neighbors. But his passion for fashion drove him to eventually launch his own line of bow ties, bags and belts when he was only 16 years old.    His secret to success? Making great local connections. By sourcing with the finest Amish craftsmen from his hometown, Connor found a way to produce stunning leather goods he sells online — all in his spare time.       Name: Connor Dickson     Business: Connor Dickson Bow Ties, Bags and Leather Goods     Started: 2010       How did you create your awesome job?   I’ve always been entrepreneurial. I started my first business with a friend when I was just 12. We took flyers around the neighborhood to tell people that we’d do their mowing and mulching. At first, they thought we were just a couple of kids playing around, but we got a few jobs and did such good work that we got more

    Growing up, Laura loved the outdoors. So when it was time to start her own stationery and graphic design business, she etched her love of nature right into her business name — Bears Eat Berries.   Her business began with a request for a custom wedding invitation and a used letterpress four years ago. Now, Laura is running a stationary shop online *and* using her design skills to create custom, unique branding for a variety of small businesses and creative professionals.   We chatted with Laura about goal setting, how she figured out her pricing and what has *most* surprised her so far about life as a self-employed professional.     Name: Laura Wentzel   Business: Bears Eat Berries Design + Illustration   Started: November 2011     How did you create your awesome job?   Awhile back, I was working full-time as an in-house graphic designer, but I didn’t feel challenged creatively because I had t

   In her downtime as a stay-at-home mom, Kasie Chapman makes unique hand-stitched products for her growing tribe of Instagram and Etsy followers. Her experience selling at craft fairs and online has helped her develop her own personal style — and stay true to it.   We recently talked to Kasie about her experiences with opening an Etsy store and building a following of loyal customers who can’t get enough of her so-called “cozy goodness.” Plus, read on to learn more about what she's hoping to learn next from *you.*   Name: Kasie Chapman Business: The Minted Evergreen Started: October 2015   How did you create your awesome job? I sell hats, scarves and cowls. Back when I had my first child, I found myself making things for her during nap times. Having that kind of creative outlet helped me relax and do my own thing.    I started out knitting, but I wasn't crazy about it, so I taught myself how to crochet instead. People wanted to b

      Aleksandra Zee’s career is characterized by persistence. For years she juggled two jobs while establishing herself as an artist. Her determination has seen her succeed as one of only a handful of women working in the male-dominated woodwork industry.    Despite these challenges, she created a unique market position for herself with her handmade, geometric wooden wall hangings and found success thanks to a sizeable Instagram following and a loyal customer base.    We spoke to Aleksandra about finding the confidence to start a business, using social media as a positive influence and keeping her products unique.         Name: Aleksandra Zee    Business: Aleksandra Zee    Started: July 2014    How did you come to create your business?    I fell in love with woodworking back when I had my first job with the retail company Anthropologie. I was a display artist at one of their store

  After finding a job in her chosen field wasn't an option post-grad school, Emily decided to turn her long-time love of paper quilling into a viable business selling handmade products to her fans at local craft fairs and farmers' markets.    We sat down with the creative entrepreneur to talk about her interest in crafting, her tips for balancing a hectic schedule and how she manages to get a return on investment out of selling such a specialized art form.     Name: Emily Mallory Business: Emily’s Paper Crafts Started: August 2011     How did you create your awesome job? I’m a paper quilling artist. I make small animals, greeting cards, artwork, frames, magnets and modular origami bouquets based on my own designs. I also teach a number of workshops around the area where I live.   I started quilling for fun when I was a kid. After getting my PhD in Early Childhood Education, I couldn't find a relevant job. But, after moving to