New to entrepreneurism and admittedly having a long way to go, we are happy to share 5 lessons to a New Artistic Stationery Website called Leaves and Letters!
 
All this started over 20 years ago when my Partner Lorrie and I met while working at the same retailer!
 
First thing you notice about Lorrie is her amazing eye for beauty and detail!!  We were always happy working together.... we felt successful, raising 2 great kids, travelling the world and enjoying partnership with wonderful people along the way.

The missing link was time to pursue our passions....Lorrie dreamt of travel, (not just hotels, meeting rooms and airports) writing a book, outlets for her creative energies.  I dreamt of better balance, time to mentor and give back.

The answer came in a funny way, typical from what I am told....around Christmas, we were thinking about fun and creative ideas. We hit on custom stationary, as I had not "arrived", that is "had my own" until I was over 35!! How cool would this be, when most of our “giftees” are under 21!!  We got such enthusiastic reaction, we investigated further!

PASSION
Look for direction from what you love to do... you need a great business plan, a validation of ideas, but if you are going to spend a big part of your life, make sure it’s what you LOVE.  Ensure a healthy marketplace and preferably a HOLE where you want to be!  In addition, ensure your are where the “puck is going”, not where “the puck is”...remember why Wayne Gretzky is a great hockey player?

In our case, it’s about “de-corporatizing”, happening currently in retail.  Have you noticed monolith corporations falling out of favour?  Largest example is likely Gap, where it is un-cool to shop, of late? Chic shopping now is “local,” personally know shop owners in your neighbourhood, have you looked at the trendy folks haunting farmers markets these days—in the extreme, Jamie Oliver is growing his own produce!

Small, personal and custom are where the retail “puck is going”.....consumers want to feel individual, they need to matter in these tough times.  They want to participate in “creating the product” and have a say on how it will look!

PLAN
Test your PASSION with your advisors, you can start now ...the smartest folks you know, those that tell you what you do and don’t want to hear!  It helps to have a proven team---if you are going the partner route, ensure you are “bulletproof”...similar work ethic, desire, finances, etc.

PITCH
”... where the work all starts!!  This is getting word out in a smart way....You‘ve heard about “paying it forward”--be your best ambassador by giving of your time generously!!  People will remember and be open to you down the road!!

PRIORITIZE
Expect to get less done than when you were in a corporate role!  This is a good thing, less meetings, frustration and waste.  You’ll cut to the chase and do what returns the largest on investment.  Keep it simple, ensure the customer understands you quickly.

PATIENCE
Don’t expect instant success, enjoy the journey of learning!  Smile, be positive, find the good things about what you are doing and hold on tightly for the tough days, sure to happen!  Ensure you have resources and support for the longer term as you can only do so much as a small team.  Maintain balance so you have fun—isn’t that why you became an entrepreneur in the first place??
 
 

Lorrie Everitt and Lora Tisi are the dynamic duo behind Leaves & Letters.  They have been lucky to work together building North American Retailers, such as Northern Reflections, Northern Getaway,  Northern Traditions and Northern Elements, Cornell Trading and HBC, before becoming Entrepreneurs!  They are having a ball with the launch of their new Artistic Stationery Line, as well as writing an Inspiration column for Yummy Mummies that you can find at www.leavesandletters.com.  Lorrie and Lora each have two wonderful children and hail from Mississauga and Campbellville, Ontario!