#BossBabeChats: Marigold & Grey
This week on #BossBabeChats, I am so excited to have Jamie from Marigold & Grey. When Jamie launched her business more than two years ago, we had an hour long phone conversation chatting about her launch party, the start of my business, and many things in between. She is one of the most caring and supportive ladies I have met. I am so excited to share her story of why she started her business, what it was like adding employees, and insight into growing her Instagram
Why did you start your business?
I saw first-hand the need for boutique gifting services when searching for someone to outsource my wedding welcome gifts to during my own 2012 wedding but such a business didn’t seem to exist. So, I parked the idea in the back of my mind and when I finally got the nerve to leave my corporate job, I knew immediately what I wanted to do next! What began as a wedding welcome gift business has quickly expanded into client gifting, corporate gifting and lifestyle gifting in addition to our wedding business. Beyond this though, I also wanted to take the skill set I had developed in the corporate world and apply it to creative entrepreneurship and experience what it’s like to be business savvy AND creative at the same time!
Is where your business is now, originally where you thought it would be?
Yes and no! I thought by now that we would have firmly established relationships in the industry with repeat customers and growth year over year. But I didn’t know that the custom side of the business would grow to be quite as large as it is for us. In the beginning I envisioned the business as more of an e-commerce shop ONLY and that could not be further from the case! I also never envisioned myself doing speaking engagements and I was wrong about that too!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oh, this changed like the seasons. Teacher. Marriage Counselor. Doctor. Lots of different things over the years.
What was the best business advice you've received?
Say yes and then hustle HARD to figure it out.
What is your advice for other women who are launching a business?
Don’t look around and merely recreate what’s already been done. Instead, carve out a brand new space where you can really be the leader. This might mean approaching an existing product or service in a new, innovative way.
What's the hardest obstacle you've overcome as a business owner?
Managing cash flow!
Is there anything you wish you would have done sooner in your business?
Hiring a bookkeeper. Best thing I’ve ever outsourced!
What other women in business do you admire & why?
Oh gosh, there are SO many! But I’d have to say Natalie Franke. She’s strong, focused, and willing to take risks but also wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s proof that heart and emotion DO have a role in business
What tactic was the most helpful to growing your Instagram following?
Establishing your voice and not being afraid to share that with your audience. You may alienate some along the way but the people who are meant to be your followers will remain and their loyalty will only deepen the more you share who you REALLY are and what’s really behind the business.
What was it like to add employees to your business?
It was SO scary worrying about whether or not I could consistently make payroll. But since I was at the point where I absolutely couldn’t take on anymore business without hiring someone, it was time to hire and therefore the business immediately grew. Thankfully payroll took care of itself.
What is your favorite quote?
Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.
If you had a $1000 gift card to any store what would it be?
Framebridge. I’m WAY behind in my life in this department!
What's your favorite emoji?
Probably the ribbon one, I use it far too much. And while we’re on the topic of emojis, could the gift box emoji be ANY uglier?! Just something I notice. ;)
Is there a business book (or any book!) that you have read that changed your outlook on things?
Recently read “Built to Sell” and it was eye-opening. It’s not that I necessarily want to sell my business but it opened my eyes to what I need to do to make sure the business can run without me if need be.
