Colorful Creatives: Socials in Bloom

Happy Friday!

This week’s Colorful Creatives feature is Cheyenne Huffman of Socials in Bloom. Cheyenne is passionate about helping ambitious entrepreneurs craft quality brands that help their businesses thrive! Her positive attitude and go getter attitude are infections and inspire others to take a leap of faith even when not feeling 100% confident. Cheyenne shares her journey of discovering her passion, leaving her full time job, and building her business. I hope you enjoy learning more about this girl-boss and find her to be your new business bestie! One of my favorite quotes from Cheynee:

“It really doesn’t matter if you have it all figured out in high school or not because it will come together if you don’t give up trying.”

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Cheyenne Huffman | Socials in Bloom

Website socialsinbloom.com

FB SocialsinBloom

IG SocialsinBloom

IG cheyenneinbloom

Twitter Socialsinbloom

1. How did you get started as a virtual Branding, marketing and web designer?

I started working right out of high school as a Pre-K teaching assistant in a child care center. At first, I absolutely loved my job, but I could always feel that there was more I wanted to do with my life I just wasn’t sure what exactly. Two years into the job I was miserable, I loved the kids, but the adults made me feel like I was back in high school and there really wasn’t much opportunity for me to grow there. The center had also begun to struggle as a whole, we were cycling through staff members and losing students at the same time, it became harder and harder to know if our jobs were secure and that had us panicking.

I met my best friend, Kya, (aka my blessing in disguise) during this time and she introduced me to the world of Copywriting and Marketing. I was instantly curious about both and started doing some research. She helped me look up online courses and get started on the right path. Fast forward through a few months of studying and I landed my first unofficial client. Her sister approached her saying she was starting her own blog and needed a website designed and some catchy content created for it and Kya introduced her to me. It was the perfect first project and I had so much fun with it.

After that, I started drifting from studying just copywriting and marketing to web design as well and soon things were feeling good. I knew I wanted to start my own business, but I was worried I wouldn’t be good enough or successful because I was so new and didn’t have much experience yet. I was afraid that because I didn’t have a college degree people would overlook me and not take me seriously. So I kept studying and doing little projects here and there and just continued daily life at the childcare center. Well, let’s just say I got my wake up call when a year later the child care center shut down and left me without a job.

I knew I could go apply for other jobs and find something, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a sign that it was time to start my business. I planned everything out and established my vision and Socials in Bloom was born! It isn’t an extravagant story but it was hard there for a while and without the help of my friend and a little kickback to reality I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have met some amazing people and continue to meet amazing people on a daily basis and I am so content and happy with that. I love what I do and the fact it gives me a chance to explore other passions along with it. I am excited about the future.

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I would like to say that deep down I always knew there was more I wanted from life, I just didn’t know what it was yet. I found that I didn’t take a lot of interest in the classes at school or even career fairs, because I didn’t want a traditional job.

All of my friends were studying for these great jobs in art, science and law careers and for me, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, I knew I had a love for writing and wanted to publish a book and I also knew I loved my graphic design classes too but I never thought of them in a career setting. I’m still not sure why. It wasn’t until I graduated high school and started hearing more and more about people beginning their own businesses that really tied everything together for me. Part of me still wants to write that novel don’t get me wrong but I’m glad that things turned out the way they did because I have found my passion. So I always try to tell others that it really doesn’t matter if you have it all figured out in high school or not because it will come together if you don’t give up trying.

3. Are you full time on your business?

Yes! I am full time on my business. It honestly happened on a whim. I was in the process of researching starting a business and putting the pieces together when the center I worked for closed. I kept applying for other jobs but nothing stuck and eventually I just turned back to my business ideas and made them reality.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?

Probably the periods where business is kind of slow which do happen more often than talked about. Things change so as business owners you’re always needing to switch up your strategy and find new ways to reach people. It’s hustle all the time but it’s worth it to be working for yourself and fulfilling your dreams.

5. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

Gosh, I wear so many hats haha! I think that is definitely my favorite “hat” though is having the freedom to explore as many passions as you want. I definitely fall into the multi-passionate entrepreneur category and I love being able to explore my interests and try new things out.

6. How did you reach your potential clients when first starting your business?

I have reached clients through Facebook and Instagram mainly. I will find clients in groups where they are searching for specific services, through friends who recommend me, and my social media posts. It’s definitely always changing and I am learning so much on a daily basis because you never know how effective a certain method will be until you see the traction and impressions from it. I am someone who is about authentic connections and growing my business organically so I don’t invest a bunch in paid ads or anything like that. I prefer to talk with people and reach them through the content I post.

7. Do you feel you need to educate people on what you do?

There are definitely times when I have to educate others on what I do. It’s mostly family and family friends because a lot of them are not familiar with social media management, but it’s honestly not a big deal to me at all. I love talking about what I do, it’s my passion so I feel privileged when I get the chance to share what I do with others.

8. How do you stay motivated?

It can be hard to stay motivated at times but I have some incredibly supportive people around me who inspire me and pick me back up when I am feeling a little lost. Other than that, I always make sure I am staying productive and caring for my mind. Personal development is essential as well as resting your mind. It’s really good to take breaks and just have some time to do something you enjoy and be with loved ones.

9. What are you working on right now?

Oh my gosh, I have some incredible projects in the works right now! My best friend and I actually just launched a project together on International Women's Day which went incredibly. We decided to start a Facebook community for female entrepreneurs and business owners called Flourishing Forward. It’s basically a community that teaches us as women how to not compare and contrast but how to link arms and step into the women were meant to be, together. It’s all about supporting one another and inspiring growth while still offering a bunch of business tools and resources to learn from. We have a lot of ideas in the works so I can promise you it’s definitely going to be different than any other community out there so we’re thrilled to see it take off and meet some incredible people along the way.  

10. Where do you look for inspiration?

I look for inspiration all around me. I guess it depends on what is happening that day and why I am in need of inspiration because my best friend inspires me a lot, I also like to browse Pinterest to find some things that inspire me and just reading/ listening to podcasts!

11. Where is your favorite place to work?

My Favorite place to work is actually at the beach. Weird right? I love vacationing but being able to catch up on some work while staring out at the ocean and feeling the breeze is the best.

12. How do you start your Monday?

I like to start my Monday off with a cup of coffee and reviewing my plans for the week and make any changes I feel are necessary.

13. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

I am currently obsessed with rose gold, blush pink and peach!

14. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials?

I would have to say marble is always my go-to

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world for inspiration, where would it be and why?

Probably Montana or Hawaii. I know two completely opposite places. But I have always wanted to visit both and for me, I love scenery and nature so it would be nice to escape to somewhere and be out in nature to regroup. I also love photography so I’d love to photograph some locations out that way. And for Hawaii. I am obsessed with the beach and that has been the beach I’ve always wanted to go to. Both would inspire me in different ways but spark incredible adventures and memories!

16. What’s your favorite season and why?

I would have to say Spring is my favorite season because there is so much happening in those months. The air is getting warmer and clearer, the skies are brighter, flowers are sprouting and blooming and it just feels like a fresh new beginning. I love that feeling.

17. What is something you could not live without?

Hmm, That is a tough one. I am going to sound totally cliche but I would probably have to say my computer or phone if we’re talking about objects. Because, it’s where I do most of my work at and I really don’t go anywhere without them.

18. What’s your favorite thing to do in Virginia?

I actually have three favorite things to do in Virginia. I love going to the drive in movie theater, going to bookshops and I really enjoy going to basketball/hockey games!

19. As a busy business owner, how do you avoid burn out?  

I make sure that I am taking breaks throughout the day and not overworking myself. It’s so easy to get burnt out on things and I always find if a certain project is stressing me out I will pause and regroup or work on something else for a while. I also like to read motivational quotes and listen to music to give my mind a break for a bit.

20. What are you looking forward to in 2019?

I am looking forward to seeing the heights my business can reach this year and the places I can go. I love helping other entrepreneurs and their businesses strive so I can’t wait to see the incredible people I get to work with this year. Other than that I am just excited for the possibilities of growth and change and discovering who I am each day.

21. What is a piece of advice you would tell your past self on the first day you started your business?

I would remind myself of the excited, empowering feeling it gave me to finally have made my dream become a reality and then I would tell myself to always carry that feeling around and never let go of it. Because business can be hard, it can be discouraging and it can be exciting but if you can hold onto what it felt like on that first day it will help you to keep going. I want to wake up every day feeling excited and empowered and know that I am making a difference in the lives of others.

21. Any inspirational books you recommend?

Absolutely! Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

22. Anything I missed that you want to share?

I just want to thank you for the incredible opportunity to speak with you about my journey. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you and your business and sharing a bit about mine.

Colorful Creatives: Radically You

Happy Friday!

I’m so excited to share this week’s Colorful Creatives feature, Jess Bugher of Radically You, a bohemian macrame home decor and fashion accessory line! Jess is incredibly talented and naturally creative. I was lucky enough to come across one of her posts on Instagram and got to know her better. Her story is one that I think so many can relate to, working day in and day out at an office that wasn’t sparking joy in her life, leaving her personally drained everyday. She discovered her love of working with her hands at a young age, and started to explore macrame in her early 20’s. From side hustle, to full time job, to exploring opportunities in education, Jess is pursuing her passion: “working with kids and making beautiful things to bring into the world.” I hope you enjoy learning more about Jess, and be sure to check out her Etsy store! I’m in love with the Boysenberry Macrame Coin Purse! Here’s one of my favorite quotes from Jess:

“I am a firm believer that you can’t think too much about the start of something. If you want to start a blog, do it. If you want to do yoga, do it. If you want to write more, do it. Jump into your life and realize that if you aren’t jumping in, you are placing boundaries on yourself. So in turn you can take those boundaries off of yourself as well.”

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Radically You | Jess Nicole Bugher

@imradicallyjess

www.radicallyjess.com

www.etsy.com/shop/radicallyyou/

1. How did you get started with macrame?

I have no professional background in this field, but I have been doing different variations of this since I was very young. I first started exploring fiber art early on in my life, when I was very young I found myself making bracelets pretty much nonstop as a kid. I have always had busy hands, so side projects I have been a constant in my life.

I started to explore macrame when I was in my early 20’s, it has been an exciting journey and I constantly find myself discovering new ways to apply this type of art. My family are all big makers of different varieties: my great aunt, my father, and my mother. My father is an artist, he went to art school and has an exceptional eye for detail and yet somehow can be so fluent with his work. My mother taught me curiosity and the joy of learning a new skill, we explored a lot when I was a kid. My great- aunt is a constant inspiration, she made everything herself and had a unique style of her own. So you could say I come from a long line of makers.

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I never thought I would be an entrepreneur. Coming from a modest middle class family, I was the youngest and I never thought of it as an option when I was growing up.

3. Are you full time on your business?

For the past few months during my transition from Orange County to Santa Monica I have been lucky enough to do this full time. Soon I will be doing it part time and working in an elementary school. In Orange County I was working in an office setting, I didn’t feel inspired by the work I was doing and I felt drained personally. I feel so excited for this new opportunity and combined to parts of my life: working with kids and making beautiful things to bring into the world.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?

Personally, it is difficult to put my work out there into the world and so rawly show others what I am working on. I, like so many, struggle with impostor syndrome. I question what I am doing, but I feel so honored to have the support system I do that loves and supports me how they can. I am shown time and time again, that others do care and others do want to see what I’m doing. It is funny how I both feel anxiety and then relief from the same action of putting myself out there. I feel it is hard to justify a business where I get to make things I love to make and others will pay for it.

5. How did you reach your potential clients when first starting your business?

To begin with it is hard, slow, and persistence is key! For my type of business, a made item, people want to get to know the maker and who they will be supporting. So something huge is going to markets and selling my goods face-to-face to people. Lucky for me, this is also one of the things I like to do most, surrounding my small business, make connections with others.

6. Do you feel you need to educate people on what you do?

I love the idea of teaching others what I do, the process of macrame. Showing them how hard it can be to have a small business can be good to, if they ask. On the flip side, I don’t feel the need to share that with everyone as it is my personal choice to go this route.

7. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

Favorite hat- Creative exploration

Least Favorite hat- Advertising (I feel so connected to what I make, it feels so much like self promotion when I do this)

8. How do you stay motivated?

I listen to a lot of podcasts, read personal development books, and take self care seriously. Some of my favorite podcasts include Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, RobCast with Rob Bell, The Ground Up Show, and From the Heart Conversations with YogaGirl. What does self-care look like for me? Yoga everyday, in some way or another, reading a good book, giving myself permission to take a break and slow down when it feels right. Water rejuvenates me, my summers growing up were spent “on the lake” as we say in Michigan. I love being outside and when I feel overwhelmed taking a walk or going to the water is an easy way for me to wipe my slate clean.

9. What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am working on a bridal order for an intimate wedding ceremony. I am making bridal accessories for the entire party. I also, am putting together a new line of accessories for late Spring/ early summer.

10. Where do you look for inspiration?

Inspiration comes from everything in life. I am emotional and can feel inspired by things from nature, people around me, and places I’ve been. I find inspiration from quotes and books.

11. Where is your favorite place to work?

I love to work in my living room, on a Sunday late morning when it’s sunny and I can look out my window and enjoy the weather while knotting away inside. My dog is around always and loves to be a part of my inspiration. My boyfriend is a designer who challenges me to try new things and reminds me to get uncomfortable sometimes to grow.

12. How do you start your Monday?

Monday’s start with a coffee, along with every other day of the week. I like to start each day of the week about the same, even on the weekend. I read and drink my coffee for as long as I can, typically 20-30 minutes. Then I take my dog out for our morning walk. Now it’s time to make breakfast and make the bed. Then I get ready and get to work.

13. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

Terracotta, sage, dusty pink, and mustard. A soft palette mostly with a pop of a bright color is where my heart is leading me.

14. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials?

I love textures, lately fringy and flowy looks are something I am enjoying.

15. What is something you could not live without?

I could not live without my support system, they mean the world to me.

16. If you could travel anywhere in the world for inspiration, where would it be and why?

I would love to travel to a Greece, the Greek islands are breathtaking. The style there is so lovely and I would love to take in the endlessness of the Mediterranean Sea.

17. What’s your favorite season and why?

I love every season, I enjoy how nature seems to take it’s time to remind us of how beautiful change can be, if we just embrace it rather than fight it. If I were to choose one really special season it would be fall, there is a lot to look forward to during this season.

18. What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago?

I love Chicago, especially hanging in Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. I remember a time when I was visiting friends and we went to a small comedy show in their neighborhood, what a good time.

Where I’m living now, in Santa Monica, CA I love going down to the beach and spending time walking along the ocean and watching as the waves crash along the shore. I can’t get enough time spent by the water.

19. As a busy business owner, how do you avoid burn out?  

Phew, that is kind of a no-no word! HAHA. Well, the best way is that when I have a day where I don’t feel like doing one thing, I honor that, I do something else that day. I can get up and do something else for a while and get motivated in another area. If I don’t feel like making a new piece, maybe I start writing and focus on that type of creativity that sparks my energy.

20. What are you looking forward to in 2019?

Personally, I am looking forward to a huge trip that I have been dreaming of for years. My grandmother has passed stories down to me about her time spent in South America, and I will soon be able to find my own narrative about this, after my trip to Peru later this year.

Business related I am looking forward to the new things that I will create that right now, I can’t even imagine. Our worlds expand as we dive into different activities and you never can predict where they will go until you are there, staring at the best thing you have made yet.

21. What is a piece of advice you would tell your past self on the first day you started your business?

I am a firm believer that you can’t think too much about the start of something. If you want to start a blog, do it. If you want to do yoga, do it. If you want to write more, do it. Jump into your life and realize that if you aren’t jumping in, you are placing boundaries on yourself. So in turn you can take those boundaries off of yourself as well. I would tell myself to put myself out there and know that you will find your own stride over time.

22. Any inspirational books you recommend?

I love Elizabeth Gilbert and the way that she is in real life really inspires me, she isn’t afraid to start again. She knows that with each beginning their is fear, but diving in will ignite a new fire in your belly. Her book “Big Magic” has been one of the most inspiring books that I have read.

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Why I started Colorful Creatives:

I launched my own Interior Design business last fall with the hope of creating a career and lifestyle in which I could explore my potential, help others, create beautiful and functional spaces, and live my passion. I found myself connecting with business owners of all creative fields and asking them for advice how they started their business. The feedback I received was invaluable and I wanted to share it with the world. Thus Colorful Creatives was born to empower, motivate, and inspire anyone out there who is considering going out on their own creative entrepreneur adventure!

Want to be featured on Colorful Creatives?

I’m always looking for inspiring creative entrepreneurs that are living the dream, being their own boss and pursuing their passion. If you are within the first 5 years of owning your own creative business and want to share your story of breaking away from the 9-5, fill out this form and we’ll be in touch if it’s a good fit!

Colorful Creatives: B. Rose Studio

Happy Friday! This week on Colorful Creatives, I share with you an amazing and talented stylist, Bianca DeSantis, owner of B. Rose Studio! I’ve know Bianca for a couple of years now, and it’s been so inspiring to watch her business grow. From personal experience, I can say she gives the absolute BEST hair cuts! In this interview, Bianca shares her story of pursuing her passion, and living the life she always dreamed of. Her positive attitude is contagious, and just might inspire you to take a leap of faith and follow your own dreams. One of my favorite quotes from her, “Stop saying tomorrow, make changes to seize the opportunities for success today.” I hope you enjoy learning more about this girl boss and be sure to follow her on social media!

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Bianca DeSantis | B.Rose Studio

IG @b.rosestudio

FB Brosechicago

1. How did you get started in the beauty industry?

I’ve always had a passion for the beauty industry. From as young as I can remember, I was fascinated with hair and makeup and the work that went into creating looks. Anytime I could get my hands on anything, I would. I hustled girls in highschool for hair and makeup for proms and homecomings! I ended up attending the Aveda Institute of Chicago the fall after graduating high school in 2010.

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I always knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry, the entrepreneur side of that came later on in life. When your working hard and connecting with people and building your own business behind the chair, something lights a fire in you to say “ Hey! I can do this, all on my own!”

3. When did you know it was the right time to go full time on your business?

I began not loving my job, which was extremely sad because it's the only career I've ever had any interest in pursuing. An opportunity came up that I just couldn't pass up. Sola offered me the freedom of being my own boss, while creating a space that allowed me to be my most authentic self in every possible way, all while not having to deal with the traditional salon woes. The thought of not having to give someone half my money anymore definitely was a huge bonus as well!

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?

Owning your own salon is HARD work! People often fail because they don't realize the work that goes into running a successful salon. When you open your own suite, as I did, you wear every single hat a business owner may encounter. Not only are you the talent, but you become receptionist, the manager, the accountant, the cleaning crew, the social media team, and that's just naming a few! It definitely was an adjustment to find a good work and life balance all while making sure every aspect of my salon was pristine and lived up the mission I started the salon on.

5. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

I just love doing hair, it allows me to stay creative everyday and make people feel absolutely incredible about themselves. I do not like accounting! Never been a numbers girl, I’ve always been more of an artistic soul, so number counting and crunching has never appealed to me.

6. How did you reach your potential clients when first starting your business? Has anything changed in that process now? What have you learned?

Word of mouth will always reign king, but Instagram is definitely standing right next to that as queen. In this day and age, everyone, including myself, wants instant gratification. With Instagram your able to search a hashtag or browse someone's work right from the comfort of your own phone any day, anytime. Instagram and Facebook have been huge in building my clientele. The process has changed because I'm starting to build a larger clientele and the new clients are coming easy without having to do as much on my social platforms. I still keep my digital portfolio up to date so any new clients have my work at their hands. My biggest learning moment was always keeping yourself respectfully open. People ask me all the time what that means, that means being flexible with clients all while still respecting your own personal time. After all, we open our own salons and suites to make our lives easier, right?

7. Do you feel you need to educate people on what you or why you charge what you do? How do you handle that situation?

I’m super fortunate to be at a place in my career where clients are super respectful of my time and know my pricing reflects that. I make sure every client gets the same service and quality every time they walk in, whether its their first or fortieth appointment. I always educate my clients on what I am doing with their hair so they are able to be comfortable with proceeding in whatever service we may choose to do. If that time does come, I always ask people, what is your time worth? Would you rather pay more money to have an expert give you the exact look you are wanting or pay less and then have to invest more into getting the look you were originally looking to achieve.

8. How do you start your Monday?

Mondays are my days off! I always start with a workout with my trainer. I then come home for breakfast and walk my dog! The rest of the day is every changing. Some days I'll take clients, some classes, or just sometimes catching up with friends or getting groceries. It's my day to prepare myself and get ready for my busy week.

9. How do you stay motivated?

My clients, 100%. Seeing them come in and tell me about engagements, pregnancies, job promotions and so much more makes my day. I essentially also become a therapist. I get to share some of the most intimate moments with clients, even before they may share with friends or family. May those moments be good or bad, they always know I'll be there to listen. Knowing they count on me to nail it for them every single time is all i need to keep doing this forever.

10. Where is your favorite place to work?

Always in the suite with Ariana Grande Pandora on! Preferably on a super sunny day! Haha

11. Where do you look for inspiration?

Sola is an incredible concept. It's a bunch of small salons under one roof. I am so fortunate to have so many suite mates who keep me encouraged and inspired every single day. No one of us does the same exact thing and we bounce everything from formulations to placements off of each other. The  energy you feel when you walk into our location is amazing. We run that place on good vibes only!

12. What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on expanding my business in the near future  and investing in some fun education that will take my skill to the next level. I love the ever changing beauty industry. It keeps my life very fun and exciting and I adore keeping up with the new techniques and trends.

13. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials?

I personally love mixing metals and fur. There is this edgy glamor too it that speaks to me on a different level. My favorite textures have to be velvet and leather. I love how raw each material can be depending on how it is and no two every are exactly the same.

14. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

GOLDS ALWAYS! I love that the hair and beauty industry is shying away from dull dark hues and heading for more rich and luxurious colors. I think gold is so versatile in hair, makeup, jewelry and even in your home. Timeless and classic, just the way I like things!

15. As a busy business owner, how to do avoid burn out?  

I plan very frequent trips to Florida, my second favorite place on earth besides Chicago. When I'm down there, I get to live the island life: No worries and no hurries. I get to spend tons of time with my fiance and disconnect from the business, which isn't something we get to do much of here. Oceanside with a cocktail is never a bad idea.

16. If you could travel anywhere in the world for inspiration, where would it be and why?

I love the trends in Italy and Spain. There is this old world elegance mixed with a modern, carefree mentality that keeps me forever intrigued. I think they are such fascinating people with impeccable style.  

17. What is something you could not live without?

So hard! Haha My fiance, keeps me sane. My dog, keeps me calm. My phone, keeps me connected.

18. What’s your favorite season and why?

Nowhere in the world has anything on summertime in Chicago! Being close by water and feeling the sun is most definitely my happy place. I love that there's a street fest everywhere you turn and my friends are constantly out somewhere new trying a new brunch. It helps you to keep falling in love with the city. You never have to do the same thing twice.

19. What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago?

I live in Printers Row, so it's very easy for me to fall back into being a tourist in my own city. I grew up in Lincoln Park and loved every minute of it. Now I can walk my dog to Buckingham fountain for our nightly walk or just head over to Millennium Park in the summer for a concert. I sometimes have to take a breath, look around and pinch myself that I get to live in a city as beautiful as this one every single day.

20. What are you looking forward to in 2019?

I am so very excited to make huge moves with my business. I have big plans for expanding, not only my business, but certain aspects of my skill set to help me reach my full potential moving towards being the best stylist I can be. I also get to marry my best friend in April and we are so excited to see what the next chapter of life holds for us!

21. What is a piece of advice you would tell your past self on the first day you started your business?

Breathe! You GOT this and were born to do this!

22. Any inspirational books you recommend?

I have always been obsessed with Sophia Amoruso, the original #Girlboss herself! The book literally tells you the sky IS the limit! I would also recommend for everyone to read You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero as well. My client who left the finance industry to pursue a now extremely successful career in real estate gifted this book to me on the 3rd day of my salon being open. I finished it in 2 days! It was everything I needed to hear as a new entrepreneur and so much more.

23. Anything I missed that you want to share?

If you're reading this and debating what move you should make in life, look at your life right now. Whatever is happening, in your career, relationship or anything else, think about how you feel in this moment. Now imagine your life 6 weeks, 6 months and 6 years down the road. Will you stay in that mindset for all that time, or will you make your change towards greatness? Stop saying tomorrow, make changes to seize the opportunities for success today.

Colorful Creatives: & She’s Brave / Brave Girl Club

Happy Friday! Only twelve days left till Christmas, and even through I’ve been swamped this week with work, I’m full of holiday spirit! I finally checked out Frosty’s Christmas Bar and wow that place really is a winter wonderland! I went to Frosty’s with my amazing and talented cousin Michelle to celebrate her graduating from Northeastern Illinois University and becoming an elementary school teacher. Proud cousin moment! It’s amazing to be around other strong, confidant women that have found their calling and that are pursuing their passions. Wishing you the best of luck on this new chapter of your life Michelle!

On that note of strong, confident women. Meet Lizzie, graphic designer, social media guru, and branding extraordinaire for & She’s Brave and the Brave Girl Club. Sometimes life puts you on a completely different path than you expected and while it may not always be great, there’s usually a reason and a silver lining. For me, this year had it’s ups and downs, but meeting Lizzie was a silver lining. Lizzie was an instrumental part in building my confidence to finally start my own business. Since we both went through the process of becoming entrepreneurs around the same time, it’s been awesome to reach out to each other for feedback and support. Her online community The Brave Creative | A Community for Brave Girls with Big Dreams actually inspired me to start Colorful Creatives, as I was connecting with other like minded creatives in her group. One of the best things about Lizzie is that she is so authentic. She knows who she is, what she likes and shes not ashamed to just be herself. I hope you enjoy reading about Lizzie’s journey to becoming her own boss and living her best life!

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Lizzie Benson | & She’s Brave / Brave Girl Club

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1. How did you get started with & She’s Brave and Brave Girl Club? Do you have an educational background in your field?

I started a blog my freshman year of college as a creative outlet. I quickly found a wonderful community online and started to get more serious about blogging, social media, etc. Over the years, I taught myself a ton about social media strategy, marketing, and graphic design as I worked on my own website and social channels. My junior year of college, I started marketing my services as a virtual assistant and social media manager. I found a couple wonderful clients quickly and worked with them for a number of years. I was earning a degree in Journalism, but had figured out through my side gig that I was much more interested in marketing, PR, and social media than I was traditional news journalism. My senior year I applied for a social media internship at my university’s communications department. I never heard back about it until I got a phone call like 3 months later from the head of the marketing department. She said that the person who was running the social media internship had passed along my info to her, and they wanted to meet with me to see if I’d be interested. Long story short, I got the internship in the marketing department and it turned into my first full time job after graduation. I worked there for a year and a half, then at the beginning of this year, I moved to Chicago for another job in social media. I was still working on design, blogging, and my own brand in my free time. The new job turned out not to be a good situation, and it gave me the push I needed to pursue my own business(es) full time as of October of this year!

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I never in a million years thought I would end up as an entrepreneur, mostly because I always thought it was at odds with my creative sensibilities. But I should have known, because as a child I was constantly making crafts or marketing services to my poor family members to make some extra pocket money. I used to paint shiny pennies with glittery clear nail polish and sell them as “lucky pennies” for 50 cents. Now that’s a good profit margin!

3. Do you work a day job or are you full time on your business? When did you know it was the right time to go full time on your business?

Just over a month ago I took my business full time. To be honest, I had no idea if it was the right time or not. It had been my side hustle for over 5 years and while I had a distant dream of someday being my own boss, I definitely didn’t think I’d paid enough dues to make that a reality as a 24 year old. However, I was working a job that made me miserable every single day and it was increasingly becoming a worse and worse situation. I knew I needed to change courses, but the idea of interviewing around and finding just another 9-5 job that I knew I wouldn’t be 100% passionate about bummed me out so much. I started saving up all my extra money (which was no easy feat, I’m a total shopaholic) and having long conversations about finances and plans with my boyfriend and with myself. I realized there would never be a time where it felt 100% right to take the leap, so I finally just had to do it. And I’ve been so blessed to have seen my hard work pay off in the past month.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?

My main one right now is time management. Working from home every single day and setting your own schedule is wonderful, but it can be easy to lose focus and not know what to spend time and energy on. I remember waking up on my first day as a full time business owner and sitting down at my desk, ready to work - then having absolutely no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I had so many to do lists but all the things I wanted to accomplish turned into a spiraling black hole in my mind. Being organized and learning how to be a good time manager are invaluable skills as a business owner.

5. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

My favorite hat to wear is probably that of the creator. As in, I love being able to sit down at my computer and work on creative things that fill up my soul and know that I’m helping other amazing business women build beautiful brands and pursue their own dreams and goals. My least favorite hat is definitely the accountant. I hate math and I hate thinking about taxes and cash flow. This is definitely the first thing I’m going to outsource when I get to that point.

6. How do you stay motivated?

By reminding myself how incredibly lucky I am to be doing what I do now. Sometimes when I get bogged down or overwhelmed or frustrated it’s easy to fall into an ungrateful mindset. When that happens I take a second, take a breath, and tell myself that I get to wake up everyday and choose where I work and when and on what. And that is an amazing freedom to have, and I never want to take it for granted.

7. What are you working on right now?

I currently have three different clients who I am helping create a brand identity and logo for their businesses. That is my absolute FAVORITE thing to do. I love logos and wordmarks and designing them, but I also love digging in deep to other people’s businesses and learning what they’re passionate about and who they help and what makes them tick. It’s so fulfilling and so fun!

8. Where is your favorite place to work?

Any coffee shop. I just love the hustle and bustle and being able to be part of a crowd while still keeping to yourself. It’s so comforting to me to set up shop in the corner of some cozy coffee shop and get to work.

9. Where do you look for inspiration?

I love reading other lifestyle and design blogs and scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest. There are so many incredible people in the world creating such beautiful things. The trick is to not get bogged down by the comparison game, especially on social media, which can be a fine line to walk sometimes!

10. How do you start your Monday?

I grab a cup of coffee, sit down at my desk, browse through my favorite blogs for inspiration, then spend a while answering emails and tending to whatever admin tasks I need for the day. I also like to take a look at my priorities and what I need to work on for the day and the week.

11. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

Literally everything I create right now is either mustard gold, blush pink, or dusty blue. I don’t know what it is with the gold, but I’m so drawn to it. Everything I gravitate to is that color.

12. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials?

I’m such a sucker for velvet anything, and I really love natural woven textures lately.

13. What is something you could not live without?

COFFEE.

14. Where is your favorite place to travel and with who?

Any place I haven’t been before. I love exploring new places with my best friends or my boyfriend.

15. What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago?

I love exploring all the cool and quirky little neighborhoods that are all over the place in Chicago. But I also really love walking around Michigan Avenue. Yes it’s totally touristy and crowded and sometimes super overwhelming, but I’ve wanted to live in a big city since I was like 8 years old, so I love to take a moment, stare up at all the giant buildings and lights and people and remind myself how lucky I am to be here.

16. Any inspirational books you recommend?

          I love Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Yes Please by Amy Poehler and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. Basically any inspirational book by an amazing woman is a gold star for me.

Colorful Creatives: The Letter J Creates

Happy Friday! We’re one week into December, the tree is up, I’ve finally started my holiday shopping and my calendar is packed with work and personal events. I find that it’s so important to take time to recharge during this time of the year, making sure not to get burned out. I try to schedule time on Sunday's to restore and get ready for the new week ahead. It’s no secret that Monday is my favorite day of the week, just as long as I’ve had time to get my life in order on Sunday! I’d love to hear your tips for staying balanced during the holiday season, drop them in the comments on FB or IG!

This week, I introduce you to Jess, a self taught calligrapher from The Letter J Creates. Jess has mastered work life balance as a mom of two little ones, Zoey (4) and Zack (2), while running her calligraphy business. She’s also a Honeybook Educator, Wildflower Art Studio Ambassador, and co-founder of Naperville Weddings. I hope you enjoy getting the know more about Jess and The Letter J Creates. Please follow her on social media and leave us a comment.

Want to be featured on Colorful Creatives? If you or someone you know is a creative entrepreneur in Chicago, living their best life and wants to share their journey, email me at Sarah@SarahJacquelynInteriors.com. Shoot me an email just to say hello too! I love connecting with new people.

Jess Grabowski | The Letter J Creates

www.theletterjcreates.com

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1. How did you get started doing calligraphy?

I got started on my own about 5 years ago. I started by wanting to make decor for my home. I did not know that this is where I would have ended up. I am self taught (thank you YouTube and Instagram)

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not at all. I have always wanted to be a stay at home mom. Now I am both and it’s perfect.

3. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?  

Finding clients who value real art and the simplicity in things. There are so many mass produced art pieces. That is so disappointing to me, because I find that one of a kind art is so much more valuable.

4. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

Favorite - photographer for social media, least - dealing with invoicing

5. How do you stay motivated?

My little ones keep me going. They have a tremendous amount of energy so when I try to work at night, it can be difficult, but it’s all worth it. To me, I have everything I wanted. I have a beautiful family and get to work as an artist. It’s so free and exciting, being my own boss.

6. What are you working on right now?

I have an exclusive line with Shawn Sargent Designs in Glen Ellyn, just finishing up my 2019 calendar, and weddings. I accept 2 wedding commissions a month*

7. Where do you look for inspiration?

Nature usually. I do wander the internet looking for quotes/writing prompts from time to time.

8. How do you start your Monday?

With coffee and my laptop

9. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

All the shades of fall. Until it’s too late. I have reviewed a few pens/markers that have my favorite fall colors. Blues will be next!

10. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials to work with?

I adore watercolor and acrylic paint. They are so different, but fun to play with. I think they add quite a bit to my calligraphy.

11. What is something you could not live without?

Socks and a mocha frapp (aside from my family)

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world for inspiration, where would it be and why?

Tokyo - all the pens are there

13. What’s your favorite part of December?

Holiday spirit and shopping. I do love the minimalist lifestyle, but find it hard during this time. I absolutely love all of the festivities and food with family!

14. What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago?

Just walk and take pictures. It’s so beautiful.

15. Any inspirational books you recommend?

How to win friends and influence people

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Colorful Creatives: Audrey Simper Photography

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! For those of you that are new to this blog series, prepare to meet some of the most inspirational and motivational creative entrepreneurs in Chicago. I feature a new young creative entrepreneur each week that is living their best life, to help encourage you to finally turn that side hustle into your full time job!

This week I interviewed Audrey Simper, a Chicago boudoir and portrait photographer. Audrey and I met in college and I immediately felt a wonderfully contagious, positive energy about her. Flash forward to 2018 and I see her amazing work all over Instagram. She’s an inspiration and one to watch. She’s the queen of female empowerment and helping other woman see how beautiful they truly are. There’s no better word to describe this interview than authentic. She shares with us the journey of finding herself and how she became the boss babe that she is today. One of my favorite lines from Audrey: “When you put yourself in the life you want to be living, you have no other choice but to make it work out.” Enjoy getting to know Audrey Simper and be sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram!

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Audrey Simper | Audrey Simper Photography

www.audreysimper.com

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1. How did you get started with photography?

I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember. I dabbled in many different forms of art. It gave me the freedom to express myself and found it consumed me for hours. Before Photography I used to draw. After taking all the drawing classes I could possibly take in high school I found Photography next. I fell in love with Photoshop and creating stories through images. I became so inspired by this medium that I spent most of my free time planning, creating, and dreaming of what I could compose next. I grew up believing that artists don’t make money and that it isn’t a “real job”. So I went to study Architecture for two years only to drop out when I started to get paid for my photography work and a realization that Photography was my real passion.

2. Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

In a way, yes. I always knew that I was destined for something greater than a 9-5 and I really enjoy being the boss ;) I am usually always more comfortable leading than following.

3. When did you know it was the right time to go full time on your business?

I’ve run my business full time since 2015. I knew it was the right time when I was previously living a pretty safe life, I was uncomfortable taking big risks. Committing to my business full time seemed like one. I honestly wanted an escape. I decided to quit working as a Nanny, take a break from my business and move to another country to live with my boyfriend at the time. But there I really hit rock bottom. Nothing was going as planned and my worst fears came to life. During this low I read a book called “You’re A Badass” by Jen Sincero. That book inspired me to completely change my life and the way I was thinking. I decided to move to Chicago, get my dream apartment, and commit to my business 110%. I had no idea how I was going to do that since all I had was one month’s rent. But this book prepared me for that. When you put yourself in the life you want to be living, you have no other choice but to make it work out. And that’s exactly what happened. I had faith in myself and the world, I ignored the worried voices in my head by practicing gratitude, meditation and visualization.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome with owning your own business?

Definitely committing to go full time despite my bank account has been the hardest challenge so far. After that, it was deciding to raise my prices. It’s scary to raise your prices to a number that not even you could afford and having to say no to potential business that doesn’t meet your prices. Really learning to value myself and my work has been a huge mountain to overcome. But on the other side you learn that there is always going to be someone who can afford what you offer as long as they value it. It simply takes believing.

5. What is your favorite & least favorite “hat” to wear as a business owner?

My favorite hat to wear is the creator hat. I love planning for a shoot, visualizing the looks, shooting, and finally editing and seeing my vision come to life. Editing is honestly my favorite part of this process because my vision is 90% complete which is so exciting! My least favorite hat to wear is the networking hat. I love socializing and talking about what I do, but when I force myself to start conversations among strangers with the pressure of selling myself I feel so uncomfortable and usually end up going home. I know that I have the power to overcome this by understanding that networking events are really just an opportunity for socializing! But I just don’t want to do it right now.

6. How do you stay motivated?

This is a great question. I feel that in this society we have a lot of pressure on us to WORK HARD. And if you’re not seeing results then well, “you’re probably not working hard enough”. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I believe in working smarter not harder. And I believe and stand for self-love. Being kind to ourselves in so important. I stay motivated by recognizing when i’m unmotivated, consciously allowing myself to step away from my work and do something that inspires me in that moment, something I DO feel motivation for. Then when I feel motivated and inspired to go back to work, I will. And I don’t worry about when I will because I know I will feel it eventually. If I didn’t it would imply that it’s no longer something I’m passionate about and I really shouldn’t be doing it then should I? So in short I would say that I simply stay motivated by making my happiness my priority and despite what others want to believe, I know that this is right for me.

7. What are you working on right now?

I’m working on launching my third annual Valentine’s Boudoir Event. I’m also working on launching something completely different and unrelated to photography. Something to inspire and help others feel happy and empowered in life in general.

8. Where do you look for inspiration?

I currently get inspiration from my favorite teachers. I have gone to their workshops and continuously listen to them on Youtube, probably everyday. They are:

Sue Bryce | Abraham Hicks |Joe Dispenza | Teal Swan

9. Where is your favorite place to work?

In my live-in studio. I love my space, it’s full of natural light and decor that pleases me and I can get up and dance whenever I want.

10. How do you start your Monday?

I wake up and spend 5-20 minutes in a silent meditation. Then I follow that up with what I like to call a gratitude rampage. The rampage involves listing all the things in my life that I am grateful for, especially the ones I might normally take for granted. I don’t get out of bed until I feel really good. I’ll grab some coffee or make a smoothie or both. I’ll usually do some work at home for a few hours before heading to the gym.

11. What are some of your favorite textures/ materials?

Fluffy faux fur, reflective golds, soft and cozy knit sweaters, dark or grey wood floors, marble

12. What are some colors you are connecting with right now?

Soft pinks, baby blue, tropical greens, & gold.

13. If you could travel anywhere in the world for inspiration, where would it be and why?

Right now, Hawaii. Maybe it’s the winter talking, but I feel so inspired to spend time on the beach, drinking smoothies and constantly waking up to a stunning landscape. Maybe that’s because it’s so different from where I live now, I’d love to create endless images with a backdrop like that.

14. What’s your favorite part of November/December?

Spending the holidays with my family.

15. What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago?

AcroYoga! About 3 days a week I meetup with other acroyogis and practice for fun.

📸 @dmytro_nor

16. Any inspirational books you recommend?

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