How do you balance work-life-family balance?
Balancing work and my family has honestly been the most difficult thing for me. I have two children and a husband that need me. By nature I am a workaholic. I derive probably too much of my own self-worth from work ethic. I started Solstice so that I could be there for my babies. I was tired of missing parent teacher conferences and recitals because I had a very demanding job (I was a finance manager prior). I find myself getting overwhelmed when I know that I have deadlines and expectations that I need to meet both from my family and my business. When it comes down to it, I have to actively remind myself that I am doing this for my babies and they need me. Sometimes it means an order has to wait another day and I just have to accept that and trust that my product is worth the wait.
If you could give a reality check to our readers about running a creative business, what advice would you give them before getting started?
Starting a business is kind of like having a baby, you can never really be prepared for what it entails until you just do it. I am a very cautious person. I had a hard time letting go of the security of a full time job, 401K, etc. When I started Solstice I was still working full time. That only lasted about two months before I realized that I had to chose one or the other. I had to just accept that I couldn't control the result but that I absolutely had to give it a shot. I felt like I was wasting a talent that was given to me and I had feelings of guilt for that. Talent is a terrible thing to waste, not matter what that talent is. I tried to convince myself that my talent was with numbers and spreadsheets because it created a nice life for my family, but it did not fill me up. I didn't get those warm fuzzy “ I am fulfilling my life purpose” feelings. When you are doing what you are intended to do, the universe will figure out how to make it work. I had to learn to trust and have confidence that it would work out.
What has been the greatest tool or asset in your business? Instagram? Social Media?
Social media has been huge. Pictures create a lifestyle and culture for your brand. There are plenty of companies that I follow on social media and purchase from just because I want to feel like I am part of what they are creating. It is so much more than just a product. We all have an natural need to feel connected. Social media allows us to do that on a level that no other platform can.
What is your morning routine?
My morning routine since starting Solstice has changed pretty dramatically. I used to spend my mornings getting my makeup and outfit perfect so I could look nice and professional for my job. Now I am lucky if I make it out of my pajamas from the prior night. I am a morning person so one thing I made sure of when I quit my job was that I was going to give my own business the same courtesy of having a start time. I set my alarm for 5:30-6 each morning and start sewing my 7am. One thing I absolutely make time for is a walk outside. I just do a few laps around my neighborhood while I drink my morning coffee and usually plan out my social media posts for the day. Its my own little 30 minute jump start for my brain to get moving.
