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 bi-weekly 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 Lauren from Elle & Company Design
Tell us a little bit about your business. When did you officially start your business? What exactly do you do and how long have you been doing it?
I first started Elle & Company in January 2014, two years after I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Visual Communication Design. It started as an online shop selling planners, but it quickly evolved into a service-based business focused on designing brands and websites for creative entrepreneurs. The Elle & Company blog has also become a fundamental part of my business, and I share tips and how-to’s on design, blogging, and business every weekday. I love working with other bloggers and small business owners, and I’m blessed to be able to do what I love full-time!
How would you describe your personal design style?
Feminine, simple, and colorful. I’m a big fan of white space, classic typefaces, illustration, and pattern.
Do you have a favorite project you have worked on so far?
Each client and project is different, and so much thought, time, and effort goes into each one that it makes it hard to choose! Based on the feedback of blog readers and shares on social media, my most popular projects include the brands for the Bloom Workshop, Sincerely Amy Designs, Bulloss Photography, and Real Food Whole Life.
What are some of the challenges you experience from working at home?
I have the hardest time closing my laptop and calling it quits at the end of a workday. Because I don’t have to leave our Suite to go to the office, it’s very easy for me to start working as soon as I get out of bed, work through the day, and pick it up again right after dinner. Work easily creeps into other areas of my life because I work from home, and I’m learning just how important it is to set boundaries.
I’ve also found that some people don’t take my work as seriously when they find out I work from home. I make it a point not schedule coffee dates with friends during office hours, not to do housework like laundry or cleaning during office hours, and shower and get dressed at the beginning of each day. People are more likely to take you seriously when you take your work seriously.
What was the best piece of advice you were given pertaining to your business?
“You’ll never get ahead by following.” The most successful brands and businesses are those that break the mold and come up with an original idea. It wasn’t until I started embracing my own aesthetic and differentiating my services that Elle & Company began to grow.
What are the top three things you could not run your business without?
My MacBook Pro, Adobe Illustrator, and Gmail. I use them multiple times a day and my work wouldn’t be possible without them.
How do you define success as a business owner?
Success looks a little different for everyone, but for me it’s being able to do what I enjoy and make a living from it. However, I don’t feel like I have, or will, arrive. Part of business is constantly setting goals and dreaming bigger!
What/who inspires you and your work?
Because I work with other creative small businesses, I’m most inspired by my clients.
For instance, I’m currently working with a client who just bought an old country store with her husband in a rural, southern town. The store still sells coke from the bottle and pumps gas for its customers, and the new owners are hoping to restore the building and bring it back to life. My client’s excitement about all of the details is contagious, and I’ve been so inspired by all of her ideas and goals for this new venture.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start a small business?
Passion isn’t enough. That sounds terrible and it isn’t always what new entrepreneurs want to hear, but in order to make your passion profitable, you have to have strategy and you have to make smart, intentional decisions. I lost money when I relied on passion alone, and it wasn’t until my husband, Jake, came on board and helped me strategize that Elle & Company became profitable. Passion is good, but passion and strategy lead to a successful small business.
