Yes, You Can: Figure it Out As You Go Along
We also have an Instagram GIVEAWAY running until Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 4 PM EST. Enter here!
1. What is your history as a "maker"? What is your creative background?
For as long as I can remember, I've loved to write creatively. I always assumed my career would involve writing, yet I ended up going in a completely different direction. In 2010 I started a fashion and lifestyle blog called Try It On Me. I believe having a hobby or some creative outlet is essential in maintaining sanity! Blogging brought so many incredible opportunities to me over the years, one of which being my involvement with BTL Shoppe. After years of blogging on and off, I decided to take a break and look for something different. BTL Shoppe literally fell into my lap, and it was another creative endeavor that I was excited to explore!
2. What is the biggest business risk you have ever taken? Did it pay off?
The biggest business risk I've taken was when I acquired BTL Shoppe. Aside from what I learned watching Shark Tank, I knew NOTHING about small business ownership. I'm an educator by day, so my background hasn't involved any business training. When the opportunity to purchase the business was presented to me, I scrounged up the funds to buy the business, in the midst of a holiday season. From day one of ownership, holiday orders were flowing in and I had no clue what I was doing! I'm 100% learning as I go, which is part exhilarating, and part terrifying!
3. Why "BTL" or "Between the Lines"? Is there significance behind your shop's name?
To be honest, that's the name the business had when I bought it. I'm still deciding if I want to keep it, but I like it!
4. Who is the greatest inspiration in your life? What impact have they had on your career?
The #GirlBoss movement in recent years has been a major inspiration. I read Sophia Amoruso's book a couple summer's ago, and immediately felt so inspired. love women that aren't afraid to speak their mind and make it happen! But if I had to pick a few favorites, I'd say Beyoncé, Lena Dunham, Amy Schumer, and Taylor Swift are my girl crushes and muses of the moment. In my real life, my fiancé, friends, and family have served as constant support and inspiration.
5. If you could give advice to your 21-year old self, what would you say?
Jeez, I think about this question weekly! How much time do you have?! If I had to give advice to my 21- year old self I would tell her to say yes to (almost) everything. A couple years ago I read a quote from Tina Fey that said "Say yes and you'll figure it out afterward." As a historically "no" kind of person, I decided to start saying yes to nearly every opportunity that was thrown my way. And I'm so glad I have. I've been pushed out of my comfort zone time and time again, and met great people and had some amazing experiences, none of which would have been possible if I had been too afraid to say yes.
