STAY FOCUSED! Just keep trying and adjusting and never give up.
Lakesha Rose is the Founder of Rose Phillips Online, a multimedia platform that showcases the best in Chicago living.
Lakesha has been part of Chicago’s thriving interior design industry for more than 15 years as founder of L Design Group, which has brought classic but an accessible luxury to several homes in Chicagoland. Lakesha’s motto is “modern polish with traditional comfort,” which is reflected in the effortless style of her newest venture.
Lakesha previously served as one of Chicago’s leading lifestyle experts, making special appearances on shows with WGN, ABC, NBC, and others. Lakesha’s background in interior design, combined with her culinary skills and social know-how, made her a frequently sought-after guest for talk shows. She currently fills in as a guest anchor for WCIU’s morning show, You and Me.
Lakesha Rose also serves in the board of Almost Home Kids in Chicago and has been a long time volunteer for Common Threads charity.
Lakesha launched her lifestyle site Rose Phillips in 2016 to help bring the Chicagoland community the most empowering, engaging and culturally relevant content possible. There’s something for everyone, including style, food & drink, travel, home decor and even family life in the Second City. Rose Phillips Online is the only lifestyle website of its kind, featuring Chicagoland stores, products and services. We are the go-to site for curious Chicagoans wanting a peek inside before trying something new. To check it out head to: www.rosephillipsonline.com.
Where did the idea for Rose Phillips Online come from?
For several years, I have been doing lifestyle segments on television showcasing national products in the city of Chicago. I decided to create Rose Phillips Online to show local businesses using media platforms including digital and broadcast events. It is the only lifestyle website of its kind, featuring Chicago-based stores, products, and services. We are the go-to site for curious Chicagoans wanting a peek inside before trying something new.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I am a morning person so I wake up early and get moving. First, I look at my emails, look at networking appointments for the day, review current website content, prepare future website content, make phone calls, create and/or review sponsorship proposals, schedule video production meetings, cook dinner for my husband and walk my dogs.
How do you bring ideas to life?
A new idea takes a potential concept, trial, error, and then the light bulb goes off as to how this idea will work. There is no perfect path.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The opportunity to allow the consumer to get their information from more than one outlet. This creates a healthy competition for marketers and advertisers to just do better. Rose Phillips Online has created culturally relevant content across a range of media platforms, including digital, broadcast events, and consumer products and services. Rose Phillips Online is a local online business advocate, so when we showcase your local business we become your cheerleader to make you look your absolute best.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I know when to walk away from my desk. I know when I need to get away and travel. Traveling brings the most inspiration and clarity for me. I have been on a beach several times and written pages of ideas that I want to execute for Rose Phillips Online. However, I come back charged and ready. Not every idea works or it’s not the time for that idea to come to fruition. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of hearts as it will often get harder before it gets easier. There is no greater satisfaction and peace in seeing your idea work.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I was a receptionist for a real estate company. My boss was tough in combination with a small ego issue I had. When I left that company and “grew up” I called her to thank her for being so tough on me. We are actually friends to this day.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
At first, I thought several things, but as time went on I wouldn’t change a thing because, at the end of the very long tunnel, I emerged stronger than ever. When we create Rose Phillips for other states I now know an easier path but I would not know that path if it was not hard to get to the starting line to launch Rose Phillips.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
STAY FOCUSED! Just keep trying and adjusting and never give up. You will fail at times but that is okay as it brings you experience. I know that is hard information to hear if you are currently in the failing stage, but it is so true.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
I joined the Chicagoland and Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. It has helped immensely to be able to speak with key business owners and decision makers who have helped celebrate our community commerce and have become sponsors for one of our four online shows.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I tried to take a shortcut and I thought it was going to be a “sure thing,” but it ended up costing me $15,000. It was a tough pill to swallow, mistakes will most likely cost you money.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
At this time, it is paying my Rose Phillips team members because without them RP would not make it.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I really wish I had time to read a book.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
My husband, James Rose is by far the most influential human being I have ever met. He has always given me the best advice and has held my hand if I needed to have a brief pity party and understands the sacrifice on the path to success. He is the captain of my cheer team. Jim has been a sports broadcaster for 35 years at the same station and that is not by accident.
Connect:
LinkedIn: Lakesha Rose
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.