The MBA Sustainability Professor (me) has Entered the Creative Entrepreneur Conversation.
As we start another school year and season of rooting to rise (aka Fall) I wanted to share my top 4 pieces of advice on how to expand yourself so that you may take your creative business to the next level.
Literally and figuratively, I wear a lot of hats in my life (and I will not apologize for that awesome cliche pun). Perhaps you already know this about me, but here you go anyway; not only am I a modern-day hat maker, I’m also an MBA Professor specializing in leadership strategies for corporate sustainability transitions. I mentor graduate students on their capstone thesis projects. I also teach Sustainable Ecosystems for undergraduates, and sometimes Calculus. And since we are talking about it, I also have a degree in Textile Science & Product Development from the Fashion Institute, and MANY years of career experience in the apparel manufacturing industry. I love all of it. Maybe you can see how I arrived at hat making? No? Yes?? The last important part to this is, life has taught me that rock bottom is liberation (aka: a spiritual renovation;-).
If I could draw a Venn diagram (remember those??) of my expertise, experience, and passions, the center point would have a cross section of creating, authenticity, spiritual growth, personal development, teaching, environmental advocacy, and helping others. This center cross section is what I call ‘The Sweet Spot.’ In fact, I encourage you to draw out your own Venn diagram and see what your Sweet Spot includes. If your business isn’t a full expression of the Sweet Spot, then you might want to consider some adjustments. You and your business will thrive once you and your business are aligned with your Sweet Spot. I promise.
FOUR practical ways to approach personal development to support business growth.
Deepen your expertise in your craft. This could look like taking a course or hiring a mentor. Challenge your own ways of thinking to make space for different, new, or innovative ways. And as the saying goes, “if you never do anything different, nothing different will happen.” This is so true for business and life. I would also like to point out that we don’t know what we don't know. Read that again and consider it, deeply. Being curious and exploring new depths and widths of your craft and business will lead the way to growing and learning. This my friends, is where your AH-HA moments happen!! (Those are fun;-)
Prioritize authenticity. What does this mean, you ask? Ensure that you are creating a brand that tells your story with original designs, drawn from inspiration that come from within you - and no one else’s work. Authenticity is vulnerability because it is an outward expression of our spiritual, inner selves. We are drawn to authentic brands because we resonate with the unique messages they convey. When I say ‘messages’ I mean everything you can see, feel, and infer, not just the literal marketing. The brands you love have likely caught your attention because you feel like “that is sooo me!” or “they just get it.” Authenticity is your own unique story and self put into a product and brand, and therefore, resonates with others who relate. You can’t tell someone else’s story just like you can’t build an authentic business based on someone else’s ideas. Draw others in with your own Sweet Spot. Rules for Authenticity to live by: 1) Know thy self, and 2) Build it and they will come.
Create value with values. Personal values are what YOU deem of most important in life. When you are clear on your values, you will make business decisions based on these priorities. This value-based decision-making framework is what becomes part of the value proposition in your products and brand - it’s what you stand for and is part of your authenticity. Example: for me, this is where sustainably sourced materials matter. It is where ethical supply chains matter. And it is where considerations for environmental impacts are critical factors for decision making. Its why I teach hat making workshops. When I reference back to my Venn diagram, my Sweet Spot is essentially my core values AND the basis of my business model. You see how all the dots are connecting?! Are you picking up what I’m laying down, here?? I thought so ;-)
Self-reflection as a tool for expansion. This practice allows for a growth mindset, which is imperative for growth in all areas of our life. If we can’t create space with an open mindset, we’ll never trust a new process or try to even consider alternative ways of approaching our business, which is a direct reflection and extension of our current self. Simply put; grow yourself, grow your business. There are so many ways to engage in self-reflection, but you’re smart and you know the best way for yourself to approach this. BUT, if I had to offer some ideas, they would be meditation, podcasts to learn, peer feedback, journaling, reading to learn, therapy, sauna/cold plunges, planning moments of joy, exercise, yoga, and morning walks. Trust the process and know the universe has your back.
HOMEWORK: Make a Venn diagram of yourself to reveal your Sweet Spot of life and business! Report back and let me know your thoughts.