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Learn more about Courtney, after the jump! (more…)
Filed under: Style to Inspire | Tagged: courtney kaye, entrepreneurs, Inspiration, jewelry | 12 Comments »
Style to Inspire: Carrie Green
Posted on January 30, 2012 by vmacandcheese
Business website | Business Twitter | Business Facebook | Business Tumblr | Personal blog
I run an online business called The Phone Unlockers – we unlock mobile phones (which is legal!) I started it 6 years ago at University. I also run a project called the Female Entrepreneur Association, where I published stories about the journeys of female entrepreneurs to help inspire and encourage others.
The opportunity to start a phone unlocking business was very random! I’ll try not to bore you… but basically there was some open source code available online and my friend was very techie and so we built the system and we each set up our own businesses using the system. I had no clue what I was doing when I started off! I was seriously winging it. I put a terrible website together and set up an Adwords account with a spending limit of £30 and that was the start of my business.
I made it work for me by systemizing everything! There is a process and system for everything – how people find us, how people buy from us, the follow up process, the support process etc. The business now runs itself without any help from me.
I started FEA because I felt so lonely running my online business. After I graduated from university, all of my friends moved to London and had cool jobs and I was stuck in Birmingham (where I went to university) working from home, by myself. I started to think that there must be other women out there who were in a similar situation to me. So, I went on a mission to find them!
There are so many inspiring stories, but one of my favourites is by Emma Reynolds. She built a successful business over three years – she had an office in London and lots of employees and then the financial crisis hit and she lost everything. Not only did she have to make everyone redundant, she also faced bankruptcy. After crying herself to sleep for 3 months, she went and got a job and started saving her money. At the same time she started to research business opportunities and spotted one in Hong Kong and so got on a plane, by herself, and started her business again over there from scratch. It’s going really well!
When I read her story I was amazed and inspired. She deserves every bit of success that she gets. I think her story goes to show what’s possible when you keep on going.
I love running my online business because it gives me so much freedom – in 2010 I went travelling around Australia for 3 months and worked from my laptop, it was amazing.
I would say the most challenging thing is feeling alone. Some days I wake up and wonder what on earth I’m doing! I also find it difficult to switch off, even when I’m on holiday, which can be annoying (especially for my friends!).
Believe in yourself, get clear on what you want to achieve, take action and never give up! And remember what Audrey Hepburn said, “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m Possible.”
Turning The Phone Unlockers from an idea into a global company, which reached 100,000 people each month and unlocked thousands of phones every month.
At the moment FEA keeps me inspired – not only the stories, which I publish, but also the possibility to create something that helps to inspire women all over the world. I love the internet and the what it enables people to do – the very fact that I’m based 6000 miles away from San Francisco, yet I’m writing this for you now amazes and inspires me. I stay creative by constantly thinking of new ideas and trying new things and reading lots of books!
Style to Inspire is a monthly column on vmac+cheese that let’s us get to know amazing women who are running their own small businesses. You can see previous Style to Inspire ladies here.
Filed under: Style to Inspire | 9 Comments »
Style to Inspire: Sara Combs of Gold & Citrus
Posted on December 19, 2011 by vmacandcheese
Today I am bringing back a series that has languished a bit, but I think it is so valuable and so inspiring, that I am going to do my best absolute best to make it a monthly thing! You might remember the Style to Inspire series from this post with Jessica Bennett, or this one with Kristina Hultkrantz. Slightly different than the Behind the Scenes series (which isn’t going anywhere, don’t worry), Style to Inspire let’s us get to know amazing women who are running their own small businesses.
I am always so interested to learn about women who have the gumption to chase after their dreams. How did they get started? What inspires them? What is currently challenging them? Whether you’re starting your own venture or not, these ladies can still offer valuable tips and insights that can be applied to so many aspects of a gal’s life.
So today, I’m re-introducing Style to Inspire with a fabulous blogger and business woman I’ve recently had the pleasure of meeting. It’s none other than Sara Combs, of the blog StyleComb and the jewelry company Gold & Citrus! I met Sara at a blogger meetup, and was so drawn to her personal style (and the jewelry she was wearing, which I later found out was her own). She’s unbelievably talented, and sweet as pie too. Read on to learn more about her here, and be sure to hop over to her blog and the Gold & Citrus shop — you might find a good last minute gift for someone you love (or even yourself!).
Sara Combs
Avon, CT
San Francisco, CA
Sara: Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Pinterest | Give or Get
Gold & Citrus: Twitter | Facebook | Website
accessorized, classic, glamorous, textured, layered
My Grandmother has always been a huge influence on me. She not only has an amazing collection of jewelry, but took me to jewelry making classes as a kid. I’ve been making jewelry since!
My favorite ones are the ones that I finish and actually want to wear everyday. That’s when I know that other people will like it too.
The best thing is that I get to make the ultimate decisions. I can make whatever I want!
The most challenging thing about running my business is staying motivated. It’s easy to get frustrated and tired… it’s not a 9 to 5. My business is something that I’m always working on or at least thinking about.
Make sure that whatever you start your business in is something that you’re not only passionate about, but something that you don’t mind thinking about every second of every day. If there is any other job that you would love doing, you may want to consider that because it will definitely be easier.
There are a few moments I am proud of… having my jewelry in Teen Vogue, seeing it on a runway for a fashion show, and doing trunk shows at Bloomingdale’s are a few. Anything where I get to see other people wearing my jewelry gets me excited.
I can’t say that I’m always inspired or creative, I’m definitely not. What gives me inspiration though is keeping myself open to the world – doing new things, seeing new places, meeting new people. You never know when, but random happenings always strike up new ideas.
Filed under: Style to Inspire | 22 Comments »
Illustrations + Giveaway from Emma Kisstina!
Posted on March 29, 2011 by vmacandcheese
When I first laid eyes on the EmmaKisstina Etsy shop, I fell instantly in love. The illustrations are whimsical, bold, and unabashedly girly. Nothing wrong with that, right?
I first learned about Swedish illustrator Kristina Hultkrantz through The Neo-Traditionalist, and was thrilled to discover that she could create a custom illustration for me, and for a ridiculously affordable price to boot. Kristina is a wonderful illustrator, whose work has been featured in Matchbook, Adore and Cosmopolitan Sweden. You might remember that I’ve been on the hunt for a small piece of artwork for my office gallery wall, and I thought a custom illustration of my signature perfume would be a perfect fit. In no time at all, Kristina whipped up the most beautiful illustration of Chanel Gardénia for me:
I’m always fascinated and inspired by women like Kristina, who are talented and ambitious and who just go for it. So you can imagine my delight when Kristina agreed to not only a profile here on vmac+cheese, but also a fabulous giveaway of one of her illustrations! Take it away, Kristina (and be sure to read on for details on how you can win the illustration of your choice!)
Name: Emma Kristina… but call me Kristina
Hometown: Portland, Maine
Current town: Stockholm, Sweden
Where to find: Website, Blog, Etsy, Tumblr, Flickr
Describe your personal style in 5 adjectives:
Colorful, Classic, Sexy, Simple and Girly
How did you end up in Stockholm?
A long story. But short version, my parents are Swedish therefore every few years we would visit relatives in Sweden. I have always been in love with Sweden, the history, the landscape, architecture, people, fashion, food, everything! So after finishing college I needed a change from all the partying and sunbathing, and moved to chilly Stockholm where I only knew a handful of relatives and only had a pretty good grasp of the language.
My plan was just to try it out for a year, but now I have been here for 3 and have no plans of moving back to the States. I’ve met my soulmate Johan and a sweet group of girlfriends, we have a quirky little apartment, I speak write and understand Swedish fluently and I have finally managed to live my dream job, freelance illustration. Moving to Sweden has really been the best decision of my life.
Are you a full time illustrator? How do you make freelancing work for you?
I have been working as a full time illustrator since this past summer. I still have no idea how this is possible, I swear I’ve just had good luck.
What are your favorite things to draw and why?
I love drawing objects much more than drawing people. Sometimes the objects we have around us tell us more about ourselves than a self portrait. Plus I don’t have to worry about photorealism.
What’s your proudest business-related accomplishment to date?
Quitting my day job. Well rather the catering company I worked for went out of business so I was forced to come up with a new plan. I was determined not to work in the restaurant business all my life so this gave me the opportunity to really focus on working on my illustrations and build my little company. Once I was out of work I really sat down and emailed as many agencies, magazines, and blogs I could think of, while building up my portfolio and creating new works for my Etsy shop. The time I invested in my illustrations paid off, after just a few months I was able to live off my work and not just my savings.
What’s the best thing about your line of work? The most challenging?
The best part of being an illustrator is that I can work from home and make my own schedule and I am my own boss. Plus I draw pictures for a living, how great is that! It is challenging to structure myself and my work day though. The worst part is that it can get a little lonely and quiet at home, and sometimes I am not the greatest boss. There is no one to tell me that I’d rather be working on that project due in a few days rather than baking blueberry muffins or sleeping in late. But I think it is important to take days off and have a lot of free time. I don’t allow myself to feel guilty if I don’t work 24/7 even though I run my own business.
What keeps you inspired? How do you stay creative?
Other artists and blogs keep me in constant supply of inspiration. I make sure to allot several hours to blog reading and flickr browsing each day. And when pretty pictures don’t help and I’m still uninspired I take the day off.
So inspiring! Kristina makes it seem easy, but I definitely appreciate the immense amount of hard work that has gone in to making her business successful, don’t you?
To top it all off, Kristina is very generously offering one lucky vmac+cheese reader the small or medium print of their choice from her Etsy shop! Here’s what you need to do to win:
EMMA KISSTINA GIVEAWAY
1. Head on over to her Etsy shop, Emma Kisstina.
2. Come back to this post and leave a comment below letting us know which is your fave illustration. One entry per reader.
3. All entries must be received by Monday, April 4, by 5pm Pacific time.
4. A randomly drawn winner will be announced Tuesday, April 5!!
Bonne chance, and a HUGE thank you to Kristina!
Filed under: Beautiful Things, Career Woman, Conversation, Design, Style to Inspire | Tagged: giveaway, illustration | 15 Comments »
Style to Inspire: Jessica Pakzad Bennett
Posted on October 26, 2010 by vmacandcheese
Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to the brilliant Jessica Bennett of Jessica Bennett Interiors. A fellow USC graduate, I recently discovered Jessica had started her own design firm, and the minute I saw some shots of her portfolio, I knew I simply had to feature her work here on the site (case in point: though Jessica Bennett Interiors was only recently founded, Jessica’s work has already been featured on a Design*Sponge Before + After)!
Talented, driven, and smart, Jessica is a great inspiration to young women venturing into any type of creative business. Take it away, Jessica…
Hometown: Newport Beach, California
Current City: Newport Beach, California (It is heaven on Earth and you can’t get me to move!)
Where to find online: Website, Facebook
Describe your personal style
Tailored, elegant, sophisticated, comfortable
How did you become interested in interior design?
I’ve grown up in this business with two designer-builder parents. As an only child, I followed my parents wherever they went: to their office, on buying trips, and on all their jobsites. I don’t know if it was osmosis or just good ol’ fashioned genetics but I definitely got the design bug from them.
What motivated you to start your own business?
I’ve always had a passion and a knack for business. Whether it was starting umpteen small businesses as a kid, or actually playing “pretend” business for hours, I just loved every part of it. I fostered that passion by going to USC’s business school and studying at the Lloyd Grief Center for Entrepreneurial Studies where my interior design business plan finished in the Top 20 Business Plans and I won the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
After school, I ran the Operations and Accounting divisions of my family business for four years. It was after that that I felt confident that I could actually do it for myself, start my own business from the ground up, and put my own neck on the line. I was working so hard at my family business, that I knew I wanted to invest that time, energy, and love into something that I had complete control and direction over. It’s scary but amazing all at the same time!
What is the best thing about your line of work? The most challenging?
The best part is when you have those days when you are completely absorbed in the design process. The days when your only focus is installing your client’s new living room, accessorizing it, changing it around until it’s perfect and you can present it proudly to its new owners.
The most challenging part is managing and balancing all of the aspects that go into delivering that finished project: the client’s expectations, my perfectionism, the all-important budget, the inevitable product delays and backorders, and the vision I have in my head.
What advice would you give to young women interested in starting a business or seeking out opportunities in the design world (or both)?
Do it! But do it intelligently. Go out and learn from the best first. Start at the bottom of the business you are interested in and work your way up. Observe the owners or head haunchos at the company. What can you learn from them? What would you do differently?
And always remember that as much as we glamorize being the “boss,” it comes with many complications and responsibilities that you are unaware of until you do it yourself. It is hard work, but ultimately very rewarding.
What keeps you inspired? How do you stay creative?
As simple as it sounds, I love walking through stores like IKEA, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware for inspiration. It’s not so much to be inspired by a specific design idea but just to be inspired by how intelligently they sell their products, how clever they are in their design and presentation, and how smoothly their operations run.
I also of course subscribe to all of the major design magazines so I get a healthy dose of inspiration from seeing others at their best and what’s going on in the industry. The most inspiring place for me to be is seeing a new client’s space for the first time, measuring it, taking photos, getting to know my clients’ likes and dislikes, and then going back to the office, closing my eyes, and seeing what appears! I only hope that vision never goes away!
Color?
Black, white, red
Designer?
Fashion: Valentino (I’ve promised myself that one day I will be able to afford to wear Valentino everyday!).
Valentino Fall RTW 2010
Valentino's recent SS 2011 show
Interior Designer: Hard one!!! I adore Barbara Barry and Nancy Corzine…they are probably the most powerful women in my industry. Not only do I love and admire their taste and design, but also their business saavy and work ethic.
"A Barbara Barry Renovation," originally featured in Metropolitan Home
A selection of works and furniture designed by Nancy Corzine
Restaurant?
Does pizza delivery count? ‘Cause that really is my favorite….
Place to travel?
Give me a white sandy beach, clear blue water, a piña colada and I’m set….I don’t care which time zone, continent or hemisphere!
What are the five musts in your purse/handbag everyday and why?
iPhone – So I can always be reached and reach others, whether it’s by phone, text, email, or Facebook
Keys with Valentino leopard mini-wallet keychain – (My first and only Valentino item! It was a gift.) I love how I can just grab my keys and my ID and basic credit cards come with it! Makes it so easy to just run into the store to pick up something fast without lugging in my luggage-sized purse
Day Planner – So I never have to say, “Oh let me check my calendar when I’m back at the office.” I want to have control over my schedule at all times! Yes, I have an iPhone, but I won’t let go of my old fashioned Kate Spade day planner. It’s just a new version of the same one I’ve been using since high school! My friends won’t let me live it down….
Makeup Bag - I HATE being caught off guard and my makeup bag has EVERYTHING in it….flossers, nail file, QTips, Band-aids, the works.
Sunglasses (in their case!) – My eyes start tearing up if I’m outside without my beloved sunglasses…and I always keep them in their case to protect them from scratching and warping in my huge purse.
{Image Credits (top of post to bottom)}
{Jessica Bennett Interiors logo, portrait and portfolio all courtesy of Jessica Bennett; Valentino Fall 2010 RTW, Elle.com; Valentino SS 2011, New York Magazine; “A Barbara Barry Renovation,” ElleDecor.com; Nancy Corzine portfolio, Things That Inspire; Pizza, Slice; Beach images, clockwise from top left: National Geographic, Jose Villa, National Geographic, Pretty Stuff}
Filed under: Beautiful Things, Career Woman, Design, Style Files, Style to Inspire | 2 Comments »
