interview Archives

21 Entrepreneurs Series: No. 13 Me

May 27, 2016

So why interview myself? Well I thought we could get to know each other again! Some of you have been here from day 1 (and I thank you for that. In fact I applaud you for putting up with my spelling mistakes!) and some of you will be new here! It’s been 9 years since I started this blog and well, with time we grow up a bit and our life and tastes change! So here we go.

TITLE: Kim Gray, Blogger

1. ) How did your blog come about? How was this idea born and what lead you to do what you’re doing now?

I can still remember it so clearly. It was one night, eating burgers at Royale with some of my husbands family, where they all encouraged me to start a blog. Being a stylist at the time, having insight into sales, new products, stores and designs – I had an offering – to show women what I thought was cool and where to find it! It was also a way for me to showcase my styling portfolio at the time and to give readers a little insider’s perspective into what happens behind the scenes on photo-shoots and in the fashion & decor industry. And so my blog grew – and eventually I took it full time so that I can work from home and start a family.

2.) Tell us about your morning routine. Any specific rituals / productivity aspects etc

I love a good morning routine – I believe it sets the tone for the day. I’m a lucky girl to have a husband that brings me hot lemon water around 6:50 – I do some sort of guided meditation (10min +- – busy, busy mind and all – loving Head Space – it’s a no frills focus exercise really), by then my coffee arrives and I do a combination of prayer and gratitude time! By 7:30 my husband has Harry up and ready for the day and he’s out the door! After waving daddy goodbye, Harry and I have breakfast together before or after I do the housework. Then I get ready for the day – be it to go for a run or hit my work as Amy our carer arrives at 9:00. She’s here for 3 hours each morning, so that’s my time to exercise, work or grab a quick coffee with someone!

This whole routine can often be turned upside down by travel, work schedules or a bad night with Harry – but it’s an ever evolving strive for the perfect start to the day! Ideally, I’d next like to throw pilates into the mix and get up earlier.

3.) What inspires you?

Music, lifestyle & productivity podcasts, my instagram feed, travel, running (That’s when I have some of my best ideas), decor, street fashion and life systems!

Life systems is my latest thing – that’s why I love listening to productivity podcasts. How to maximise your life by being organised, working smart, making time for what matters etc I’ve by no means got it waxed, it’s the “constant pursuit of!”

Oh and my Moroccan cushions!

4.) Biggest lesson you’ve learnt?

Not to compare yourself to others

5.) Biggest failure so far?

Losing focus! And here’s where those life systems come into play again! Prioritising what it is you love to do & what really matters is critical! I’ve started so many little side line extensions of my blog that all fell flat because I was not organised, was trying to do too many things and would naturally gravitate to what it is I loved doing (which is blogging), losing focus on the rest.

Here’s where I like the idea of themes for your week. i.e. Monday – plan / Tues & Weds – blog / Thursday – focus on business development/ Fri – coffee meetings. That helps me to have a more “well-rounded” business. Again, always a work in progress. But if you focus on what it is you really love to do, that will get your focus!

6.) Biggest Success so far?

My family. We’ve found the formula for what works and what doesn’t – it’s similar to what Matt Allison said in his interview: Very simple & obvious – but sometimes we forget that life in its simplest form can be the most productive. Getting enough sleep, eating well, exercise, having boundaries/rituals in place – i.e we eat as a family round the table every night / more conscious of when work starts to dominate etc ..

When we don’t look after the above, we all fall apart – but we now know how to steer the ship and can spot when it’s going off course! (Most of the time anyway!)That’s been a big success for us all!

7.) Your work space? Clean & Minimal or Eclectic and colourful – what would we find on your desk?

I work from our white Ikea dining room table. Definitely minimal. You’ll find a white Le Creuset Coffee mug, A4 Moleskine Diary, iPhone, MacBook and a note book with lots of lists.

8.) Top 3 entrepreneurial tips?

1.) When you get up in the morning, are you excited to go and do what you do? I remember as a kid I used to love cutting out of fashion magazines and making collages. I’m kind of doing that now in a way, following my dream of making collages and playing with fashion. When you love what you do, it shows.

2.) The power of timing. Keep top of mind. Mail clients, send ideas, leave comments on instagram accounts you admire etc

Back in the days when I was styling I would constantly mail clients with my updated portfolio. It was amazing the amount of times clients said things like “oh great we’re actually planning a shoot in the next few weeks …”

Put yourself out there!

3.) Everybody loves a freebie! You can look at this in many ways.

Stand your ground or up your rates, as everyone will try bargain you down. On the other hand, if it’s a product you’re offering, add in some sort of freebie. i.e. you’re creating a beautiful bag, throw in a free coin purse or 2 or 3 mini sizes on first purchase of a large beauty product. It’s human nature – we love to feel like we’re getting value for our spend. And It’s the the attention to detail that will have people coming back.

9.) Who are you currently listening to?

Running – I’m enjoying Ellie Goulding
General – Loving the Spotify Discover Weekly Playlist – I’m lazy when it comes to finding new music – so this is a great way to discover new artists.

10.) Your best marketing tool?

Myself – my blog is run solely by me and that’s how I’ve always liked to do things. (Ok my husband helps with a few technical things) But I’m the sales lady, marketer & editor!

I do find the Facebook boosting option for my Kim Gray Facebook Page works well to engage with more people.

11.) Dream Big Right? What’s next for you?

Watch this space! xx

More info:

Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

21 Entrepreneurs Series: No. 11 Holly Becker Of Decor8

May 25, 2016

Oh my gosh! Yay! Can’t believe I got to interview Holly! I’ve been following Decor8 since I started blogging and it’s been such an inspiration! Following blogs like Holly’s is what got me started and inspired! (Her blog oozes pretty!) I’m seeing such a trend through these interviews – some of the most successful entrepreneurs are: Sharing their story of success, giving back, have grace & style and have a very focused vision for what they want to accomplish!

TITLE: HOLLY BECKER

Author, Journalist, Stylist

Founder/Editor, decor8

Founder Blogging Your Way

Also check out Holly’s latest e-course which is currently enrolling, it’s called #InstaPower and it will run for 2 weeks from July 8-25 and is focused on Instagram.

1. ) How did your business/blog/website come about? How was this idea born and what lead you to do what you’re doing now?

Back in 2005, I wanted to share my passion for interiors and at that time, I was working as an interior designer with clients and thought blogging would be an interesting way for me to connect with my clients as well as to potentially reach new ones. I also had hoped authoring a blog would get me in front of magazine editors because I wanted to also write about decorating in addition to working with my clients to not only supplement my income, but because I’ve always loved to write and felt that I had a voice to lend that would perhaps be a fresh, less stuffy approach to interiors. Back then, I felt interior design needed to be more fun and approachable – I wanted to bring that spirit to decorating through decor8. After launching in January 2006, I received numerous emails asking how to have the success I’ve had as a blogger from hundreds of women with a creative “go-getter” spirit. I couldn’t keep up with answering all of those emails, though I tried for a few years, and so it occurred to me that there were no online classes that taught blogging. There were no good books yet either about blogging. I reasoned that if all of these curious people are writing to me then I simply must launch an e-course about blogging because I could then share everything I know to many people at once instead of writing hundreds of emails. I launched Blogging Your Way in April 2009 and we’ve taught over 8,500 students worldwide so far. Our next class, #Instapower, begins registration on May 10. It will focus on Instagram – from how to grow your audience, find your Insta-style, taking better photos, styling your photos, choosing your content, networking on IG, monetization, etc. The e-course will run from July 8-25 and you can register here: bloggingyourway.com

2.) Tell us about your morning routine. Any specific rituals / productivity aspects etc

I make sure we are all showered and fed by 9am, then my son is out playing with his dad until 11:30 so I am able to work in my office. When my son comes home, he immediately goes down for a 2-3 hour nap, so I work some more. When he’s up, I cook lunch, we eat, and by 3:00 we are playing in his room on rainy days, going to a play group, to music class or out to the playground or public swimming pool until 6:30. Then we come home, I prepare dinner, give him a bath, get him dressed for bed, read stories and then his daddy puts him to bed and they cuddle and I go back to my office to work until 10pm but lately, more like midnight! This is our schedule 6 days a week, I only have Sundays off but this Summer I plan to only work 4 days a week from June until September and I’m taking a week away in June for a photography and styling retreat in Sweden with my girlfriend.

3.) What inspires you?

People who make progress in life inspire me so much! I love watching a person go from beginner to pro. I like seeing someone who had a tough childhood rise about it. I really love comeback stories, before and after stories, people who beat the odds. And speaking of people, my two-year-old son is my core inspiration and muse – I love looking at the world through his eyes. It’s all so fresh and precious. Everything is exciting to him and now, to me too.

Of course, I also love writing and photography, I love looking at beautiful photos of people, places, things… I enjoy taking photos too but mostly of people either posing or doing interesting things. I find learning very inspirational – through books, online classes, workshops in person, meeting with friends… Music and foreign cinema is a big inspiration too. And of course, my great passion and inspiration in life is travel. Travel is my favorite thing in life because it fuels everything else – my photography, writing, craving to learn, love of people and culture, all of it.

4.) Biggest lesson you’ve learnt?

One step at a time. It seems so simple to say, and a big mundane, but if you take everything in steps, no matter how big or scary the task, you really can do it.

5.) Biggest failure so far?

Negotiating my own deals and/or hiring incompetent people. I should have hired the best people to take the financial lead of my business and negotiate deals for me a long, long time ago.

6.) Biggest Success so far?

Having my little boy, Aidan, who turned 2 back in February. I love him so much; he is by far my biggest success in life – the best thing I’ve ever done was to have this little boy enter my life!

7.) Your work space? Clean & Minimal or Eclectic and colourful – what would we find on your desk?

Danish modern with some boho touches, pale gray walls in one room, second room has pale salmon walls, wooden floors, lots of white and natural wood furniture, tons of books and ceramics, a lot of windows and natural light.

8.) Top 3 entrepreneurial tips?

1. Be consistent – in other words, don’t expect overnight success. Take everything you do for your business in small steps.

2. Always treat others well. The blogger you snub may be the daughter of your next client. The client you talk smack about behind their back may end up hearing about it and drop you, costing you thousands in loss and the prospect of word-of-mouth clients. Don’t assume you know everyone you meet based on what job title they have or the type of car they drive. “The waiter could be your future boss”, is what my grandmother always said. It’s important to treat everything with dignity and respect. This also makes your business shine because people will want to help you and play back the kindness you’ve extended. People want to help those they admire and feel respect them.

3. Make time each week for yourself – get your nails done, go see a film, get a cocktail with a friend, have a hair cut, go to the gym, take a swim, get a facial, just do something for YOU – so you don’t lose yourself to your work – making time for yourself helps your business too because stepping away from the office for self-care time freshens your perspective. It’s great to do something for yourself DAILY but so many find that impossible so make it a goal to exercise daily (even if it’s a 20 minute walk) and then, once a week, do something bigger for yourself that takes at least an hour or two.

9.) Who are you currently listening to?

London Grammar, James Morrisson, Lana Del Ray, Sia, Calvin Harris, Beyonce, Drake

10.) Your best marketing tool? Word of mouth. Always.

11.) Dream Big Right? What’s next for you?

I don’t want any more children, I’m happy with my one little sweetheart… So next I want to buy a home and then get into product design, maybe have a television show, and definitely travel often before my little boy is in school full-time and traveling becomes more difficult due to his schedule and homework, etc.

For more info:

Decor8 Blog / Blogging Your Way / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook / Twitter

21 Entrepreneurs: No. 10 Christine Meintjes

May 24, 2016

I met Christine years ago at a launch. Her work, be it her photography or award winning blog, is visually beautiful, crisp and clean! She’s also jolly fab and lives life with a happy go lucky (yet determined) attitude!

TITLE: Christine Meintjes

1. ) How did your business/blog/website come about? How was this idea born and what lead you to do what you’re doing now?

I started my photography business in 2007 and soon realized that there was a huge need for brides to see visuals as inspiration for their big day. At that stage most of my clients were sitting with me for hours, going through my wedding albums to plan their weddings. In 2007 there was no Pinterest or Instagram and Facebook just started. Having a lot of wedding industry contacts and a ton of content, the idea of starting a wedding blog (and later turning it into a lifestyle blog) was born. In 2010 I started The Pretty Blog.

2.) Tell us about your morning routine. Any specific rituals / productivity aspects etc

My husband and I have coffee in bed and chat about the day ahead. Then we get ready for the day. And head to the office. We have an open plan office in Stellenbosch were both my businesses (http://www.christineMeintjes.com photography & theprettyblog.com) and my husbands web development company (http://www.plusplusminus.co.za) operate from with our teams.

3.) What inspires you?

Design in all shapes and sizes. I have a huge appreciation for food, beautiful spaces, cities, fashion and technology.

4.) Biggest lesson you’ve learnt?

Comparison is the thief of joy!

5.) Biggest failure so far?

We started an online school a few years ago and I believe we were way ahead of our times. We rushed into something and unfortunately had to close down the business. But with that said I believe failures are very important. Without them, we wouldn’t grow!

6.) Biggest Success so far?

Wow that’s difficult. But we were selected as one of the top blogs in the world by Bloglovin a NYC based blog authority, which we were very proud of.

7.) Your work space? Clean & Minimal or Eclectic and colourful – what would we find on your desk?

Clean. Minimal. White and a 27inch iMac 🙂 a cup of coffee or a bottle of water 🙂

8.) Top 3 entrepreneurial tips?

Chase the dream. Hustle all the way.

Never stop learning or improving.

Keep things simple.

9.) Who are you currently listening to?

Seth godin is my number one go to!

10.) Your best marketing tool?

Yourself. No one knows your business as well as yourself. If I had to select a spesific tool, I’m currently a huge fan of email (newsletters) and Instagram.

11.) Dream Big Right? What’s next for you?

Who knows, but one day I’d like to live in NYC for a few months 😉

For more info:

Website / The Pretty Blog / Instagram

21 Entrepreneurs: No. 9 Karien Belle

May 23, 2016

I met Karien Belle through the lovely Debbie of Madison Boutique (you can usually find some of Karien’s designs there!) and have the privilege of owning a few of her eye-catching poetry scarves! Her Poetry range of scarves, jackets, clutches, cushion covers and kaftans have always inspired me as it’s something different, playful and will definitely turn heads! It’s that special, unique purchase every fashionista should have!

Title: Karien Belle

1. ) How did your business come about? How was this idea born and what lead you to do what you’re doing now?

It was a chance encounter really, I was walking down the streets of Dehli and came across a curious alley where I found this manufacturing house for small designers. I had already started a jewellery collection and it was going well but I had this new idea to work with embroidery and poetry so I thought why not take a look. A couple that had opened this factory had an ongoing project with a NGO. Their factory is completely fair-trade based and employ widowed Indian women as well as AIDS sufferers to do the finishing touches on their stitching and embroidery. The couple explained to me that the factory was one of the only ones in the area that had salary based employees. Sometimes the workers with AIDS had days when they felt too weak or ill to work but needed a consistent income and sometimes they needed doctors on site to check in and see to their health. I knew that it was the right fit – I always try to stay tuned in and listen to a strong feeling when it comes into my life. It has now been about 9 years since that first encounter and it all started with a small production of only 35 scarves.

2.) Tell us about your morning routine. Any specific rituals / productivity aspects etc

It depends very much on where I am at the time because I travel between Cape Town, Dehli and Paris. When I am home in South Africa I like quiet mornings. I will practice yoga, buy a coffee afterwards from the coffee showroom below my apartment and reply to emails…I always have guests in Cape Town and usually I will entertain over snack platters and champagne with my Botswana bunch who visit me here. In Paris, the Marais is my hangout, iI love the mona lisa bookshop and the bookshop at the Paleis De Tokyo. I just adore all the books and tend to walk out with tons of design, art and photography inspiration, so much so that I avoid taking metro home because bumping and knocking Parisians with heavy bags doesn’t go down very well. My busiest work days, are always in Dehli. I wake up and walk through the markets to the fruit stand to have a fresh coconut every morning, from there to my factory where I spend the rest of my hours working on new designs, matchings, the rest of the day running around sourcing fabrics. checking on production, quality control and admin….

3.) What inspires you?

The bush. I am a bush child. Nature, animals and bush are things that make me feel at home. On a drive out there in Botswana with the smells and colours, and just being connected to nature and the earth, is where I belong. But I do love city life as well, and draw different inspiration from it….The people in Botswana are also inspiring to me. They have such passion about the bush and animals (and knowledge!) but are pure and uncomplicated, humble people who are always ready to have fun and always make me laugh ( a lot)- I like that. It’s probably one of the reasons why I do my photoshoots out there with crazy characters on a scenic, minimal backdrop of wilderness.

4.) Biggest lesson you’ve learnt? Biggest Failure so far?

I have learnt to evolve with my life. To grow, learn and adapt to all the amazing creativity and opportunities along the way. I find it hard to believe that I used to be a chef for rock bands but my lifestyle has changed since then and even though I am still passionate about food I can’t imagine cheffing again. That’s not a failure to me, just a change of course to my life and an adaptation. I don’t feel like I’ve missed out but evolved with life. It’s been one magnificent opportunity after the next and I am a practical person who is always doing something new. I have such a love of what I do and the creative process behind it – I must love what I do otherwise I must stop.

5.) Your work space? Clean & Minimal or Eclectic and colourful – what would we find on your desk?

Clean and minimal. Wherever I decide to make my desk you can be sure to find lots of creative things tucked away here and there. I have tons of books, fabric samples and colour charts with me at all times but keep my desk tidy and minimal on the surface. Everyday I work with my stock; touching fabrics, sourcing, collecting quotes, working with colour combinations and unpacking stock. I am quite precise about the right finishings to my Poetry pieces. The tone of the fabric and combinations are essential to the statement and style. I want to create unusual things. It started with things that I wanted to make for myself because I have always felt a need for something unique and different to others. Things that give comfort and can cheer up you; something anybody can read and relate to within the poetry collections.

6.) Top 3 entrepreneurial tips?

There is no recipe, if it feels right then do it. Work hard, work a little harder and remember to have fun ….My biggest motivation has come from the people closest to me. I never expected it but my friends in professional careers, like the doctors, lawyers and surgeons, have been incredible because they are the ones who encourage me to pursue my designs and creativity – maybe there is a secret in that, in having loved ones and supportive friends surrounding you.

7.) Who are you currently listening to?

I am listening to a Lion’s Groan. I can feel the vibrations deep within the ground and somewhere in the sky I hear the fish eagle’s cry from above.

8.) Your best marketing tool?

I would say, especially for young design brands like mine, the best marketing tools are your friends and to wear your own designs. I like to travel with a few samples so that I am always ready. If I see a beautiful shop or meet someone interesting to show my brand to I like to be ready with my latest collection. Really though, the trade shows are where you gain the most respect from people for your brand. My first real success came from a trade show in Paris about 4 years ago

9.) Dream Big Right? What’s next for you?

Keep you posted…

For more information: Facebook / Instagram

21 Entrepreneurs: No. 8 Irish Design Shop

May 20, 2016

I discovered the Irish Design Shop before I even moved to Ireland while I was doing some feeling around and looking into the design scene. I was immediately drawn to their focused approach & well curated store, focusing on strong, minimal design that’s funky, yet lasting!

TITLE: Irish Design Shop

1. ) How did your business/blog/website come about? How was this idea born and what lead you to do what you’re doing now?

We were both sharing a jewellery studio and selling our work at weekend markets back in 2008. Ideally, we wanted to sell our work through a retailer but couldn’t find a suitable one which specialised in design-led craft, so we decided to set up a shop specialising in Irish design ourselves. We saw a wealth of talent from our peers who were also selling at markets but were unrepresented in any retailer, so we began initially, selling our own jewellery and the work of about ten other designers.

2.) Tell us about your morning routine. Any specific rituals / productivity aspects etc

We have very similar tastes and a pretty identical morning routine which begins with a swim in a very convenient swimming pool located around the corner from our shop. It’s a great way to start any day. A quick catch up then over breakfast before we start the working day.

3.) What inspires you?

We have always been hugely influenced by Irish heritage crafts, be that in the products we sell and the atmosphere we have created in our small shop on Drury street. Craft is such a strong element in Irish culture. Its accessibility and association with everyday use is what appeals to us. Beautifully made, functional pieces which quietly reference the Irish landscape.

4.) Biggest lesson you’ve learnt?

Think things through before committing to projects. Don’t work for free!Remain confident and positive about what you’re doing, even during difficult periods.
Enjoy a work/life balance (we’re getting there!)

5.) Biggest failure so far?

We see failures more as ‘life lessons’. There’s no failure which we haven’t learnt from. We used to have two shops, we are so happy to just have one shop now, but learnt a lot from being in different locations, and a lot of what not to do. I think when projects don’t work out, you can look back on them and feel really grateful for what you do have.

6.) Biggest Success so far?

Launching our collaborative jewellery brand Names. It was a year in the making before we launched it last Autumn. We were totally overwhelmed by the response it got! This year is all about focusing on the jewellery and developing a new collection. Our range of cufflinks will be launched at the end of May, so that’s keeping us busy! (namesdublin.com)

7.) Your work space? Clean & Minimal or Eclectic and colourful – what would we find on your desk?

Organised more so than clean and minimal. We work in a shared studio with machinery & chemicals. If it weren’t an organised space, it would be pretty hazardous! We work at a shared, large desk. You’ll find jewellery prototypes, saws, files, emery paper, sketches and lots of metal filings. Biscuits and mugs of tea feature too.

8.) Top 3 entrepreneurial tips?

Contact your local enterprise office to what mentoring and workshops are available, and of course financial assistance.

Spend time on a business and marketing plan, it gives you a clear direction.

Have a good support system of friends and family, you’re going to need them!

9.) Who are you currently listening to?

Lisa O’Neill, her new album is really beautiful.

10.) Your best marketing tool?

We find Instagram is really great as it’s so visual.

11.) Dream Big Right? What’s next for you?

We don’t necessarily dream big. We stay focused on our online and physical shop, sourcing new products, thinking of new displays, how to improve the shop fittings and appearance, basically how to best run the shop. We are lucky in that our customer base has grown substantially in the last two years. To maintain this growth, we need to always come up with new ideas. We are currently working on a range of specially commissioned homewares which we will launch in late May. Products will be added bi-annually to this brand. The first selection of products are almost complete, and it all looks amazing!

For more info:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

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