I think working your butt off is necessary, but if you enjoy your work and if you are passionate about it, it doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Jessica Bartram is cofounder of Emery Clothing Collection, an online women’s boutique. She also runs a coaching practice, JessicaBartram.com, where she helps women overcome binge eating and bad habits. She is also founder of KidsWhoMeditate.com, an online program that empowers children through meditation.
Where did the idea for Emery Clothing Collection Clothing come from?
We were tired of searching through hundreds of pages of online boutiques just to find a dress or a top we loved. We wanted to offer an online shopping experience to women that don’t have time to search through 20 pages of each item. We limit our purchases to items that our 3 buyers all love. This eliminates the need for thousands of items and limits our stock to the best of the best. The online shopping experience is now quick and easy for busy women.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Our operation runs completely online. I spend my morning restocking items and updating inventory on our website. The afternoon is spent marketing and discussing collaborations with influencers. My business partner, Jackie English, meets with the models, takes and edits the pictures, reviews and sends out the inventory. She’s very detail orientated so we make a good team. A few times a week, we buy more clothes (which is our favorite part)!
I make sure my days are productive by writing a list of tasks for the next day. I’m a big fan of ‘checking the box’, so crossing out items on a to-do list is strangely exciting!
How do you bring ideas to life?
We have a really amazing team of creatives. We are constantly putting feelers out and asking our customers, “What do you think about this?” We have genuine customers that are happy to provide feedback, which makes our jobs a lot easier.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Free shipping!
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Meditation! Entrepreneurs never really stop. Even when we aren’t working- we are mentally planning, strategizing, and organizing. It seems crazy to take time to just be still when you have a million things to get done. However, being still is my mental reset button. Meditation helps me align my daily goals with the long term achievements. It enables me to focus so much more, too!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do what you want! I have an IT degree that I’ve never used. I hate computers. Why suffer through something you don’t love?
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Success doesn’t require struggle. I think we are often told, “If it was easy, everyone would do it.” This implies that struggle is necessary to be successful. I don’t think that’s true at all. I think working your butt off is necessary, but if you enjoy your work and if you are passionate about it, it doesn’t have to be a struggle.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate! We are all about collaboration over competition. There are more than enough customers to go around.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Networking has definitely helped grow our business. I tend to be very introverted, but networking is worth stepping out of my comfort zone. Most business owners want to help you and spread the word. It’s a great opportunity to share your knowledge and to learn more.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Gosh, I have had a bunch. I have a tendency to ‘wing it’. Sometimes, it just doesn’t work. Now, I try to plan more. I make an outline to implement my ideas before I dive in face first.
I don’t mind failure. You have to fail in order to succeed. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying. If you’re not trying, you’re stuck. Being stuck is way worse than failing.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I love the idea of an app that connects you with holistic wellness practitioners online. Learn how to meditate, or experience one-on-one hypnotherapy or EFT without leaving the house.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
We recently purchased custom cards so we can write personalized notes to each and every customer. Showing that you care matters, and this is helping us do just that.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
We are obsessed with canva.com. We use it to create all of our creatives!
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Mirror Work by Louise Hay. It’s all about self love. Self love is vital for everyone, but for entrepreneurs especially. You have to like yourself.
What is your favorite quote?
“Be the type of energy that no matter where you go, you always add value to the spaces and lives around you”.
Connect:
EmeryCollection.com
Emery Clothing Collection on Instagram: @Emery.Collection
Emery Clothing Collection on Facebook: facebook.com/emerycollection
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.