Too often in our society, people picture men in their heads when they hear words like, “boss”, “entrepreneur”, or “CEO”. Being a small business owner has put me in touch with so many successful female business owners and entrepreneurs that when I hear these words, I often picture a woman or I just don’t assume anything at all. Women are obviously just as capable as men when it comes to the business world and it is high time that women business owners and entrepreneurs are more visible in the media in our society. This is where the idea for Women in Business was born. Women in Business is a monthly feature that highlights female entrepreneurs and business owners. Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to learn more about small businesses in various fields, but it is a great shopping guide for supporting small businesses.
An Interview with Julieta from Juliet Oscar Yankee
Tell us a little bit about your business. What exactly do you do and how long have you been doing it?
I came up with the concept for Juliet Oscar Yankee in September 2012 and launched it on July 2013. Juliet Oscar Yankee is an online magazine for city girls who are into interior design trends, fashion, food, culture and travel.
I’ve always been a very creative person, especially an avid writer, ever since I was a little girl. I used to write short stories of my own. After I finished university, I was stuck in internships without really knowing what I wanted to do so I started JOY as a way to keep my creative side alive while working a full-time job.
It can be really tiring to work on a side-project while also working a full-time job, and because JOY is very much a one-man show – if I don’t find the time and energy to keep it going forward, no one else will.
What/who inspires you and your work?
Sometimes writer’s block gets the best of me. When I’m looking for inspiration, I try to search for things or subjects I can relate to and therefore put my own spin on. One of my sources of instant inspiration is Pinterest. I’ve become obsessed with it. I’m also a big fan of Marie Forleo, a life coach that has an incredible Youtube channel, full of tips and tricks on how to achieve a life and business you love. I recommend everyone to check her out!
Another thing that inspires a lot of my work is traveling and experiencing cultures. I’m working on a new section for Juliet Oscar Yankee that hopefully will be a very interesting and a handy new addition to the site.
What is your favorite thing about owning your own business?
I think owning a business is very much like growing up. You start from zero with no clue of what you are doing and little by little you develop skills and become aware of everything surrounding you. It’s a challenging and scary process but what I really love about it is all the learning I get to do and how many amazing people I meet.
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What are three things that help you run your business efficiently on a daily basis?
- Establishing relationships with people and companies even if I’m not planning to work with them in the short term.
- Being active on social media.
- Having a “Don’t try too hard” mentality. People can sense when you are being fake.
What goals do you have for your business over the next three years?
It’s difficult to say but hopefully JOY will become a bigger community of amazing readers. I would also like to collaborate with more people and companies.
Have you ever been in a creative rut? How did you manage to break out of it?
I find myself stuck many times, sometimes it’s best to just forget about what you have to do and do something else, like watch a movie or listen to some music. Surprisingly, going out for a walk clears your mind faster than you can say “I need a break”.
How do you define success as a business owner?
Success for me is being happy with what I have achieved so far and being open to change and new opportunities. Not letting a bad situation ruin my vision and drive is how I define success.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start a small business?
Don’t be put off by failure. You might actually learn a thing or two. Persistence is key. Be open to change. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do.
You can find Julieta here: Juliet Oscar Yankee | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |
