Career Spotlight: Rossella Manzini // RossLab

I am so happy to be sharing another Career Spotlight today. Rossella Manzini is the creative force behind RossLab. Rossella was born in Italy but now resides in San Jose, California where RossLab is also based. Rossella creates beautifully designed, handcrafted ceramics such as mug set which is my personal favorite (and would make an amazing gift this holiday season). Ross thinks details are key, takes the time and gives the needed attention to obtain the best results, selects high quality raw materials, and packages each purchase with care. I hope you enjoy reading her answers as much as we did.

What is the story behind the concept of RossLab?

What I like the most about making ceramics is to know they will share and brighten someone else’s home and life. There is a story behind every piece that I make: it begins with me, the designing process and the making, and it ends with my customers and how they choose to use my creations. This is the beauty of being a potter: I make things that are beautiful to look at, yet functional and made to be lived with.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I decided to open my shop when I had no more room at home to store all my pieces. I wasn’t planning to start a real business but upon receiving some positive feedback I decided to turn it into a full-time job. Since then my shop grew bigger and my creations evolved with it.

What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

I learned that, as much as I love making ceramics in my studio and getting my hands dirty, running a business is much more than that. Some tasks may be not as rewarding as the making process itself, but they are necessary to allow you to keep making what you love.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I always try to squeeze in studio time and some admin works each day, so I keep making my ceramics, which is what I love the most, but also stay up to date on correspondence and paperwork. Having a home studio allows me to save time on commuting and being flexible on my work schedule. My work in the studio is always different because of the many steps involved in pottery making: I could be throwing on the potter’s wheel one day, glazing another, carving, loading and unloading the kiln, shipping orders. It is never boring!

What is the best part of your job?

I love when my customers share their stories and tell me how they are enjoying my ceramics. It warms my heart and makes me feel a small part of someone else’s life in the best possible way.

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

It gets tricky when I work on custom orders. It takes up to a month for a piece to be ready, due to the many steps involved, and you are only sure a piece turned out fine only at the very end of the process. The worst is to open the kiln after the final glaze firing to discover something went wrong: it means to start all over again. Luckily, this doesn’t happen very often!

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

As at first I wasn’t really planning to start a business, I didn’t plan much in terms of where I wanted it to go in the short and long term. A real plan would have helped me to have a clearer strategy.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

There are so many ideas in my mind on where to take RossLab! I hope to get more and more people to know my work and expand the reach of my online store, www.RossLabDesign.com. I would also love to have a bigger studio and teach ceramic classes: a place for people to meet, learn and make their own art, too.

Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?

It is important to plan what I want to accomplish each month and break it down into smaller weekly tasks. On Sunday night, I need to have my calendar all filled up for the week to come, otherwise I will get lost in the day-to-day operations of running a ceramic studio without seeing the big picture.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launching RossLab?

I had the pleasure of working with brands I love such us Anthropologie and West Elm, but the most surreal moment was when the famous Alinea restaurant ordered 90 bowls for their 3-star Michelin restaurant in Chicago. It was such an honor!

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

Don’t forget why you do what you do and your love for it. When you are a one-person operation, there are so many tasks to tackle apart from making that it is easy to loose focus and forget the genuine passion that got it all started. Be gentle on yourself and take a day off from the hustle to nourish your craft and just be enthusiastic about the creative and making process. And most of all, be positive and keep going!
Connect with RossLab
FaceBook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest
All images from: RossLab

Career Spotlight: Dotted Design

We've been following Laura Huebner on social media for a long time and have always loved her work. She is the delightful graphic designer behind the shop Dotted Design. Based in Milwaukee, Laura has worked with numerous brands to create impressive designs that perfectly reflect their business. Just check out her portfolio and shop, then you'll know what I'm talking about.



What is your background?

I definitely took a nontraditional path to end up where I am! I studied nonprofit management and music in college, and started my career working in marketing at a few different arts organizations. While I took communications, marketing, and design classes in school, I didn’t know how much I would end up loving design. I got experience working on a lot of marketing collateral and advertising while working my day jobs, and I began reading and studying all I could about design and freelancing in my free time.

What is the story behind the concept of Dotted Design?

When I started doing freelance design work, I wanted to work under a studio name rather than my own name to help me remember that this is something bigger than me. I love alliterations, and I started brainstorming what could go with either “design” or “creative.” I’ve always loved polka dots, and so Dotted Design just clicked. Might not be the most well thought out naming process, but it works well enough! I design logo & brand identities for small creative businesses, as well as websites and brand collateral.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

The first step for me was figuring out that this was even a thing that people do. I was always bored working a standard 9-5 job, but I kind of assumed this was just the way things were. Somewhere along the way, I started reading blogs about designers that did their own freelance work or started their own design business, and it started to light a little fire. I learned everything I could about starting a service-based business through blogs, podcasts, and anything I could find. Eventually, I knew I had to give it a shot, so I set up a website and a blog myself and simply went for it!



What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

Everything takes time. In the internet world, it is easy to feel like everyone launches and has great success overnight and are living these dreamy lives. If you want to build something that will last, it takes time to get systems in place and do the work. Don’t be discouraged if it takes awhile to find those right clients! Also, make sure you only share things in your portfolio or on your website that display the type of work you want in the future. If you share a project that you hated the final outcome or don’t feel it fits the style you want to do, then don’t show it! Choose your best and favorite work; otherwise, people will someone always reference the project you didn’t like and want one just like it ;)

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

Having the guts to go for it! I don’t have any personal friends that have taken a path like this, so taking a leap of faith to start the business seemed like such an unusual path. Putting yourself out there can be scary, especially when you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Take the time to learn about everything you don’t know, like accounting or web design or whatever it is, but know that you’ll never feel 100% ready. At some point you’ve just got to go for it!

What does a typical day look like for you?

I try to keep to a general schedule because I love routines. I get up between 7:30 and 8am, make coffee, and read the news while I have breakfast. Then, I assess what has come into my email overnight and make my game plan for the day and perhaps take care of a few small tasks. Next, I go for a run, usually while listening to a podcast. The rest of my day is spent tackling my to-do list, which could be anything from client work to writing blog posts or catching up on accounting, and making sure to take breaks to go for a walk or move in some way. I love having the flexibility to fit other things into my day if I need to, like running errands or making appointments, even if it means I work a little later after I’m done. But, I have a strict no email after dinner rule! It’s so important to take a mental break each day.



What is the best part of your job?

I love helping people bring their businesses to life with great design. Yes, one part is being creative and making something beautiful, but even more powerful is seeing how a functional design, whether it’s in a media kit or a website or even cohesive social media posts, can make a big impact on a business. You want your customers to recognize and connect with your business, but most importantly, understand it. Happy clients make it all worth it!

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

The worst part is probably dealing with rude people. I realize they are unavoidable in life, but it always baffles me the things that people will say and do to their fellow small business owners. An example is when I email back and forth several times with a potential client (sometimes even have a phone call), answer lots of questions, send them a custom quote...and then hear nothing back. I fully understand that the style or budget could end up not being a good fit for that person, but why is it so difficult to reply back and say, “Thanks so much but I’ve decided to go another way” after we’ve both put so much time into exploring the option?

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

I try to see most things as learning opportunities and worth the battle, so there isn’t a ton a wish I had done differently. But, I wish I had learned sooner how other people in your industry or in related industries are your allies and your peers - not your competition. There is enough work for everyone, and we all have different styles. It benefits everyone when we collaborate and learn from each other rather than staying in our own bubbles.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

I hope to grow my business enough in the next year or two that I can support taking on an assistant and possibly a junior designer. Dealing with the logistics of a business like emails, billing, social media, etc. can be so time consuming and freeing up that time to put more into the creative side would be lovely. Hand in hand with this, I am always working on refining my client process to make things as smooth, efficient, and effective for both the client and me.



Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?

I keep lots of lists so that I can always see what is ahead. My overall planning is done in Trello. I have a card for each client that contains the list of deliverables they’re receive during their project, and I have boards for things like blog post topics and newsletter ideas. Then, I keep a paper list of each day’s to-do tasks so I can easily jot down new items as they come in. If I don’t write it down, it will likely be forgotten! I also set aside time each week to take care of tasks like accounting, scheduling social media posts, and so on all in batches so that it isn’t forgotten or done piecemeal over the course of the week.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launching Dotted Design?

One moment that stuck with me was the first time I got an inquiry from someone who was not a referral from a family member or even a past client - they had simply found me online somewhere, liked what I did, and contacted me. The internet is amazing!

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

Have a thick skin, patience, and confidence. If you don’t believe you can do it, who else will? It is a fine balance of doing everything you can to help your clients while still remembering that your time and expertise is valuable and worthy of compensation. No one can take advantage of you without your permission.



You can learn more about Dotted Design by checking out their:

Blog - Twitter - Instagram - Pinterest


images provide by: Dotted Design

Career Spotlight: Angela Parker Kennedy // Olive Yew

When it comes to jewelry I like pieces that are simple and beautiful. Pieces that are timeless. Jewelry that I can wear anywhere at any time. Olive Yew creates pieces that are just what I am looking for. Their jewelry is perfect for any occasion and perfect for any style. Designer and Founder of Olive Yew, Angela Parker Kennedy left her previous job to realize her dream of making jewelry. We are so lucky that she took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us and to share some advice.



What is your background?

My bachelors degree is in fine art. I went on to work in graphic design for around 15 years working in mostly print advertising. Late in my career I tried web design, SEO and SEM.

What is the story behind the concept of Olive Yew?

My last "job" moved into a contract position, allowing me to work from home, and less hours. I decided to take a metal smithing class with my new spare time and loved it. So I applied all that I knew about advertising to my new company and luckily, it worked.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I didn't so much know it was time to launch my own business, I just knew I couldn't continue working for someone else. I had always admired business owners and knew several - my husband being one. It looked like the least risky time to begin a business, so I took the jump.



What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

Never hire friends and never loan money. Those are things I heard all of the time, but they are SO very true. Be very careful who you hire and just how much you share. I have been fortunate in hiring some great people. It's heartbreaking when that's not the case - and unfortunately I've experienced that as well. Document everything and make sure you have a good lawyer and accountants. As you grow, they will be necessary and help guide you in the right direction.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

Our first two years we grew very quickly. I worked many 18 hour days trying to fill orders alone. My biggest obstacle was finding (and keeping) a good team around me.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There is no typical day. Showing up late to work with my dog is as typical as it gets!



What is the best part of your job?

Little things that aren't so little. I love that I can make my own schedule and bring my dog to work! But let's be real - I also get to choose who I work with, where I work and what I work on. I love it!

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

You're never really "off". Even on vacation I sneak peeks at analytics and sales. Also, it's never a "steady" paycheck so it's sometimes hard to plan for large things like buying a new house. But I'm not complaining.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Speaking of that team, I think I wish I had taken much more time in hiring good employees. In the heat of the moment with orders rushing in sometimes pushes small business owners to hire too quickly out of desperation. Poor employees can sap the energy of existing good employees and I learned the very hard way that one bad apple can quickly begin to spoil to bunch. If you think you need to fire someone, act quickly. Don't think they will change their work ethic or overall disposition - they won't.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

We're working hard on becoming more organized with an annual marketing PLAN. So that's a big goal right now.



Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?

We use smartsheet to help us in planning (budgeting, marketing calendars, etc). It's been very helpful. I also use my iPhone for everything from scheduling appointments to setting my alarm.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launching Olive Yew?

It was early on when I was contacted about having a pair of earrings featured in Self magazine. It was also surreal the first night I left Olive Yew after moving the business out of my home. I felt like I was leaving my baby for the first time and was certain the place would burn down or get robbed overnight! I've chilled down a little since then (and a good alarm system).

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

Know that everything changes quickly and things don't always go according to plan. Look for opportunities in those changes. Things usually turn out for the best and I learned the most from some of the hardest moments. Also, you don't have to spend a lot on advertising. It's often better to learn more instead of spend more.



You can learn more about Olive Yew by checking out their:

Blog - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest


images provide by: Olive Yew

Career Spotlight: Courtney Kates // Maison Du Soir

If I were to create a list of the best things in life sleeping in and pajamas would be right at the top of my list. When not at work I spend a lot of time in my pajamas so you can bet I want my pajamas to feel and look great. For years I was baffled by the lack of elegant, stylish sleepwear on the market until I was introduced to Maison Du Soir. Maison Du Soir is an American made luxury sleep and loungewear line based in Southern California and created by founder and designer Courtney Kates.

Courtney has made it her mission to create high quality garments in flattering silhouettes out of buttery soft, luxurious fabrics. Each item is also designed to be mixed and matched and suitable for both sleeping and wearing out so you no longer have to be ashamed or avoid wearing your pajama shirt out for your Saturday morning coffee.

I am amazed by Courtney's branding, her attention to detail, and the high quality of all of her garments. I am convinced that after slipping into one item from Maison Du Soir every woman will refuse to ever settle for sub-par sleepwear again. My favorite item from Courtney's current collection? The Melbourne with Piping, which is a chambray shirt dress inspired piece with a modern fit and classic white piping trim.

We are thrilled that Courtney took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Read on to learn more about Courtney and Maison Du Soir.

What is your background?

I was a ballerina for 13 years until I entered the workforce. Prior to founding Maison Du Soir I worked for 10 years in merchandising & Design. In my last 2 years, I helped the company that I worked for launch new brands.

What is the story behind the concept for Maison Du Soir?

Maison Du Soir was born sometime after I purchased my first quality, matching set of sleepwear. When I slipped it on, I looked better which made me feel better and consequently helped me sleep better. I was hooked and wanted more. After looking online and heading to some favorite department stores, I realized there was not much out there that I really liked. I'm not a lace and bows girl, lingerie is uncomfortable and most of the classic sets that are somewhat affordable have wide legs and boxy tops. Being in the fashion industry, I didn't understand why it seemed the sleepwear market wasn't paying attention to our changing needs and trends. Everything seemed dated, boxy or cheesy sexy. The wheels started spinning as I envisioned what would be so much cuter to sleep in and became obsessed with so many designs in my head. Maison Du Soir took flight and I haven't turned back since.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit but could never put my finger on what it was I wanted to do. That passion combined with identifying a niche as well as having merchandising and design experience was the perfect recipe to launch. I started with all the necessary legalities – trademarking a name, forming a corporation and immersing myself in product research and design.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned since launching your business?

It’s a roller coaster. You just have to stay on and ride the ups and downs.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

The financial aspect is a constant struggle. Developing a collection is incredibly expensive as well as putting out the capital to produce the pieces.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I always start at my computer and get organized for the day. Then I’m anywhere from planted in front of my computer ALL day to running around LA to meeting with accounts up and down the coast.

What is the best part of your job?

Meeting incredible new people like you two!

And to keep it real. what is the worst?

Counting in inventory. I’m the worst. I have to recount like 3 times and for some reason, it’s still wrong.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Yes and no. I believe everything happens for a reason and you learn things as you need to. I do wish I would have had a better handle on Quickbooks prior to even selling one piece.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

More exposure – I’ve worked incredibly hard creating a high quality line of sleepwear that fits well and can cross over into loungewear/daywear now it’s just a matter of letting people know I’m here.

Being a busy business owner how d you stay organized?

I write everything down. When I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I stop everything and clean my desk. I also have a lot of spreadsheets!

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launching Maison Du Soir?

When I heard I was a Martha Stewart American Made finalist I got kind of teary I must say. (See it here)!

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

⋄ Be prepared to work and push yourself.
⋄ Being an entrepreneur takes incredibly hard work, sacrifice and patience all at the same time.
⋄ Keep your day job as long as you can.
⋄ Many successful companies have started with nothing – so that means you can too.
⋄ There is always an up after the down.

Connect with Maison Du Soir: Pinterest // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

images provided by: Maison Du Soir

Career Spotlight: Raquel // Horses & Heels

Raquel has been one of our blogging friends for years. A couple of years ago she decided to take a leap of faith and dedicate herself full time to her blog Horses & Heels and everything that would involve. With Horses & Heels she has created a unique brand for herself all while making two major moves, one recently across country. We hope you enjoy reading about Raquel's journey as much as we have.


What is your background?

I have a background in broadcasting, after high school I attended broadcasting school and got a job a local radio station with the hopes of eventually landing an on air job. My time there started to become frustrating and I was looking for a way out so I picked up an internship at a recording studio hoping to further my skills and get into voice over work. At the studio I was offered a job for a start up record label doing social media, I didn’t even have a Facebook account at the time but if was time to learn. I managed accounts for various artists and loved it. But then the studio and label faced money issues, went under and I was out of a job. I picked up a job as an executive assistant to support myself and thought I needed to do something more. I started Horses & Heels as a creative outlet for myself while I was figuring out what I needed to do.

What is the story behind the concept of Horses & Heels?

Like I said, I started Horses & Heels as a creative outlet for myself when I was working a job I didn’t like. It started as a more personal blog with just family reading and then as I became more into blogging I made my content more “reader friendly”. I combined everything I love into one place; horses, fashion, food, home decor and DIY. I started to realize that this could become something that would stick.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I quit my job in February of 2013 when I was at a point of not being able to handle working for my boss anymore. I honestly should have stuck it out for another 6 months but I looking for a way out. The blog was making enough money and where I lived in Ohio at the time was so cheap this was possible. They say there is no real learning experience like just diving in and this is true.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Hmmmm there are no typical days. I usually get up and check emails, social media, and advertiser stats. I use Todist to keep organized, on Mondays I do “general stuff”, on Tuesdays I work on content for the following week, on Wednesdays I do photo shoots and creative projects, on Thursdays I work on SEO, blog design, ect. and on Fridays I schedule my social media. And of course there are a lot of projects I’m working on in between. I split up my days like this to make them more productive and it’s really helpful.

What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

Knowledge really is power and you need to continue to educate yourself all the time. Blogging and life is always changing and you need to change to keep up. Also you can’t make everyone happy, so don’t even try to.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

I do not like to self promote, which is strange since blogging is all about promoting yourself. It was tough for me to introduce myself to companies and put my name out there. In the beginning I had to reach out to people to get advertisers, this was also tough for me because I was timid, even behind an email or the phone.



What is the best part of your job?

The best part is I get to be creative, my life is my blog and my blog is my life. I am always discovering new things and working on projects I love.

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

Trying to please everyone, I get tons of emails from people looking to work with me and sometimes they are just not a good fit. I always feel bad for saying no to someone even though I shouldn’t. I also don’t enjoy doing my own books, I hope to be able to hire a part-time employee to help me with taxes and financial things in the next 6 months.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Definitely, I wish I would have learned faster and quicker. I wish I would have stuck out my old job longer and learned more about blogging before jumping in full time.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

I am working on products for Horses & Heels, it’s been a long time project in the works. I am hoping to launch a collection of pillows, prints, and home decor items that just aren’t out there right now.

Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?

Lots of lists! I write out daily, weekly and monthly to do lists. I also use an app called Todist to help me with reoccurring tasks.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since you launched Horses & Heels?

I don’t know if there has been a huge moment but there are lots of mini moments along the way. There was the first time a photo of mine was accepted on to Foodgawker, a time my first recipe went viral and emails from people I really look up to.

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

Write down all of your goals because if you don’t write them down, they might not happen. It’s really easy to get sidetracked and having a plan is the best thing you can do .

Connect with Raquel from Horses & Heels:
Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram

Career Spotlight: Lindsay Leggett-Stone // Hattan Home

Lindsay is the owner of the beautifully curated online boutique Hattan Home. Hattan Home offers a lovely assortment of home decor, stationery, accessories, and party supplies. Every girl is sure to find numerous items at Hattan Home to add to her wishlist. We first learned of Hattan Home when we followed Lindsay on social media and we quickly learned that she is one of the sweetest ladies around. We are thrilled Lindsay agreed to take part in our career spotlight and hope you enjoy her story as much as we did.

Hattan Home by sunnydaysandstarrynights featuring a harry allen piggy bank

Sequin Hanger - Harry Allen Piggy Bank - Fairy Tale Tray - Floral Matchbox - Gold Party Candles - Pom Pom Throw - Flamingo Card - Cat's Meow Card - Acrylic Stapler - Floral Agenda - Pom Pom Garland - Pineapple Glass Set - Coaster Set - Cocktail Napkins - Turkish Hand Towels
What is your background?

I am a former Arkansan, and retired NYC theatre, soap opera, and commercial actress. After my love affair with the theatre, my shop Hattan Home is the best of all the career passion I have left in me!

What is the story behind the concept of Hattan Home?

I've always been decor obsessed. I started finding myself spending more time learning about design than focusing on my acting career. In 2011 I had to leave NYC for my husbands career. After a year of decompressing from the City, Hattan Home (short for manHATTAN) came to me, LIKE A DIVINE BLESSING FROM ABOVE!

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I left NYC never having accomplished the level of success I had hoped for. Hattan Home was born from the leftover energy of that bright star dream. I took all the best of what was left in me and put it into Hattan Home. As far as the steps, I totally googled everything! How do you get a business license? Google! How do you get a Tax ID? Google! Each day I just did one little step to build my business. 3 years later I still do that!

What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

On a personal level I have gained a lot of confidence and I'm shocked at how much I have learned and continue to learn about ecommerce!

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

Patience with taking time to grow. You can't just open your doors and buy into ALL the lines you want to carry. It takes time to build up revenue and customer base that supports growth.

What is the best part of your job?

Having career fulfillment. Calling it my own. Packing the orders always makes me happy too!

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

Space! There is no space in my office. We've outgrown it!

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

I would love to have a large office studio or a mini warehouse space. Having a small staff to really iron out operations details on the daily. I would love to create my own line of products as well.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Investing right off the bat in quality branding, boxes, stickers, PRODUCTS! Buy it once and buy it right! be it shelving, storage, packing materials. Don't skimp!

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since you launched Hattan Home?

I'm always amazed when I see online press for my shop in any capacity! I've had a few "treats" featured in major publications and that was super cool. Having a huge wave of sales is always crazy too. Having those days where they are like 75 orders in the cue to be packed! Super coo!

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

I always say this - START BEFORE YOU ARE READY. Don't wait until everything is perfect and all your ducks are in a row.

Connect with Hattan Home:
Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest

Career Spotlight: Dale Janée // Savvy Sleepers

Dale Janée is not only one of the nicest and most stylish fashion bloggers we know (she blogs at Savvy Spice) she is also the genius behind Savvy Sleepers. Savvy Sleepers is the world's first unisex satin pillowcases. We were first introduced to Savvy Sleepers over a year ago and were amazed by the benefits it provided to our skin and hair. We are thrilled Dale agreed to answer a few questions for us. We hope you enjoy her story as much as we did.

What is your background?

My educational background is actually in journalism and I was a Public Relations major at California State University, Chico. I wish I would have majored in business, but math scared me away.

My parents always encouraged creativity and entrepreneurism. When I was in elementary school, my mom taught a program for 'gifted kids' called GATE. I never tested high enough to make it in, but I always hung around her classroom and loved a little 'Popcorn Business' lesson she taught. In 6th grade, my friend and I launched a little jewelry company. I talked my mom into giving me a corner of her classroom to make a boutique. We opened during recess, breaks and after school for teachers to come shop. I loved it and knew from that moment, one day I wanted to start my own business.

What is the story behind the concept of Savvy Sleepers?

The story behind Savvy Sleepers actually came during a low point in my life. After 8 years working in tech while dealing with dating drama and a crazy landlord in San Francisco, I was ready for a big change. The hustle and bustle of city life took a toll on my locks and my Aunt Jean, a stylist, was highlighting my hair a few years ago and noticed the stress and damage I clearly couldn’t hide.

‘You should really be sleeping on a satin pillow case,' she said and passed over a hand-sewn pillow case. After my first night, I woke up with calmer hair and my skin looked more refreshed with no crease marks.

‘Why aren’t we all sleeping on a satin pillow case?’ I thought. After researching, I was so disappointed with the quality of what was sold. I traveled the world and tested hundreds of samples against my skin until I found the softest, most luxurious blend of satin with the highest-quality stitching which I designed with a secret pocket.

When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

After creating a prototype at an LA Factory and sleeping on it a week, I had my ‘Aha moment’ as Oprah would say and decided if I was going to do this, I really had to do it! I launched my own business and Savvy Sleepers was officially born in November 2012 after a year of planning, researching and finding a great manufacturer.

What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

The biggest lesson I learned is that while a little luck may help us all, it takes total dedication and hard work to start and run a business. More importantly, you truly need to care about your business and believe in it. Starting an online business is less risky, but it’s also a huge learning experience.

When I clicked the ‘publish’ button to make my Shopify store live, I figured sales would just start pouring in and customers would find us on Google easily. I was so wrong! It takes time, SEO strategies and constant dedication to churning out fresh content. I also feel so lucky I have friends I've made through blogging who have been willing to test my product and share their thoughts on their own personal blogs. I will be forever thankful to any blogger who has taken the time to write about Savvy Sleepers.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

The biggest business obstacle to overcome has been living in Zurich, Switzerland while running Savvy Sleepers which is based in San Francisco. I met my husband the same month I launched and he was living and working in Zurich so we moved there for now. Of course an online business can be run from anywhere in the world, but the time difference can get tricky – I’m 9 hours ahead of California so I stay up very late to make phone calls and connect with potential retailers. I’d love to be available in the US year round to attend trade shows, or just have the face-to-face meeting which isn't possible with a 12 hour transatlantic flight in the way.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is knowing I created this business and have put so much work into it and seeing how far it's come from just being an idea to turning into actual business.

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

The worst comes hand-in-hand with the 'owning' part. Owning a small business can be very stressful because you are responsible and play the role of every position in the company. It's easy to be hard on yourself if your company has a bad month or you don't get the results you expected with a new advertising campaign or product idea.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

One goal I hope to accomplish in 2015 is to get into a major department store. Nordstrom, Bloomingdales or Dillards would be a dream come true. My marketing director, Brittany, located in the San Francisco Bay Area has been amazing and helped close deals while managing Savvy Sleepers social media.

Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?

I like my workspace to be bright so I usually work from our kitchen table with background music or the Sirius Radio. It's so important to organize your day so you don't get distracted and while my desktop is a nightmare with images and folders everywhere, I stay organized by making a list every day. I usually have 20-40 tasks and some are simple and some are time consuming. Also, take breaks to clear your head whether it's a walk, a coffee break or painting your nails. A 30 minute break is often when I can think about new ideas, write the drafts for blogs in my head or brainstorm.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launch Savvy Sleepers?

One surreal moment for me happened last year when I got an email from the corporate operations manager at Blo Blow Dry Bar interested in carrying Savvy Sleepers in their locations - over 40 worldwide. The deal took six months to close and we had to create new packaging, but it's been a very exciting experience to have our first real retail opportunity and gave us the confidence to move into retailers like salons, spas, and now hotels.

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

My best piece of advice is to never give up through the tough times, especially in the beginning stages of starting a business because there will be very difficult moments you may feel like asking yourself 'is this worth it?'

Also, be careful with overspending as a new small business and explore all advertising options. Expenses add up fast so make sure you exhaust every social media tool you have. I come across so many small businesses who are not active on twitter, instagram or Facebook. Twitter is one of the easiest free marketing tools you have to search hashtags for your exact industry and find out who’s talking about your product, discover potential influencers and most importantly to learn about your competitors.

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Career Spotlight: Vannessa // Luxuria

Vannessa is the owner of Luxuria an online jewellery boutique. Vannessa curates pieces from all over the world but principally from Spain, Ibiza, Mallorca, Greece and the Italian Riviera. She also has exclusivity for most of the European designers on her site so most of her pieces cannot be purchased anywhere else in the UK or USA.

Now through May 31st with the code SUNNYDAYS20 Vannessa is offering our readers a 20% discount on any item of their choice.

What is your background?

My background believe it or not is as far removed from sparkles as you can get. I am a qualified Criminal Psychologist and worked in the industry for 10+ years.

What is the story behind the concept of Luxuria?

OK, in 2001 my Husband and I decided to take a 1 year sabbatical to Spain. Whilst there, I noticed how Spanish women accessorised (which was very different from women in the UK). Spanish women loved "big and bold" rather than fine, delicate jewellery (which is the very kind of jewellery I love). I also noticed they would accessorise to go everywhere; the supermarket, the school run and even the beach! I saw that one big bold piece would really lift their outfits (even if they were just wearing a t'shirt and jeans). So I started buying contemporary pieces for myself. However, whenever friends came over to Spain and saw them, they would literally wrestle them off me. Then an off-the-cuff comment by a friend who said "Van, I don't know why you don't start sourcing these pieces and selling them" started the whole ball rolling. I have always wanted to have my own jewelry biz from as far back as I can remember. Not long after I started I found an old folder of all the beautiful images I had kept from my teenage years. The pictures I had kept were very similar to what I now wanted to sell-big, bold and contemporary. It was as if everything came full circle.

The island of Mallorca where Vannessa was living at the time.
When did you know it was time to launch your business and what steps did you take?

I "played" at building a business when I was in Spain. But it was more a passion project. But during this time I learnt all I could about e-commerce, marketing, SEO, PR........all the steps necessary. I literally threw myself into the world of business reading everything I could get my hands on (at the same time sourcing designers etc). When I came back to the UK to look after my sick Dad (in 2012) I decided it was time to formalize everything and launch my business officially from the UK. I knew that if I wanted to move again and spend time in another country in the future, this business model would allow me to do that.

What are the biggest lessons you have learned since launching your business?

My biggest lessons have been:

It will take much longer than you think it will to launch.

You will work much longer hours for no money, for a very long time. You will possibly make more money working at McDonalds (in the early days). These are the hard cold facts. But if you know that at the outset, and you constantly remind yourself of your end goal, you can stay on track.

Don't think if you build your website, they will come. That is just the tip off the iceberg. You have to be marketing and hustling every day. The quote that always keeps me moving is "The dream is free. The hustle is sold separately". And that is true. You have to hustle every single day. So you HAVE TO make friends with "the hustle". Obviously everyone has their own way of doing it but the main thing is stay authentic and do what works for you. Because what worked for Steve Jobs or Richard Branson for example, may not work for you.

Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs because when you are having a bad day, you can be lifted up so quickly by others that are going through the same thing.

Work with a coach. You may you think you know what you are doing etc, but some fresh, experienced eyes are always invaluable Keep learning. Never stop learning. Read inspirational autobiographies from others who have been there

You don't have to re-invent the wheel. You can follow what others have done. Just tweek it for what you want. Most business models are repeated, you just add your "secret sauce."

What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

The biggest obstacle was my own belief in myself. I have a scientific background so was very much a left-brain thinker. I suddenly had to rely on my right brain, trusting in my intuition and just believing that my idea was do-able. I still wrestle sometimes with that, but I work with a coach who keeps me straight. Sometimes it's easy to say "I'm going back to work for someone else, it's so much easier". But I always remind myself of "my why" i.e why I chose to do this.

What is the best part of your job?

What any biz person will tell you-planning your own day; you decide when you get up, when you work, when you take holidays etc. Basically being in charge of your own destiny.

And to keep it real, what is the worst?

You have to be prepared for the unpredictability of it all. In the beginning you can go months and months not earning anything (but that is quite normal). Also you never really switch off. Your brain is ticking over 24/7. Apart from that I love everything about working for yourself. If you are clear at the beginning that this is no walk in the park, then you won't go wrong. Which is why I recommended before reading autobiographies of successful people (it doesn't matter what field they are in); you will see that every successful person has been through very similar obstacles and hurdles. If your mindset is in the right place, you should be OK.

Looking back is there anything you wish you had done differently?

Not really, because every mistake I made produced a lesson in itself. The only thing I wish is I started on my business journey earlier.

What is a goal you have for your business that you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

To really get some good PR/magazine coverage and to start expanding my designs.

Being a busy business owner how do you stay organized?
I am by nature a very organised person. But even so I can get overwhelmed sometimes with all I need to do. But my tips would be:

Everyone else has their to-do-lists using some fancy programs or app, you don't have to struggle to follow the latest trend. Do what works for you. I am still a bit of a pen and paper girl. So all my daily lists are down on paper.

Only put on your daily to-do list as much as you can write on a 3"x3" post-it note. Anything over and above that is a bonus. If your to-do list is too long, you will constantly feel like you haven't achieved anything, and that feeling can really chip away at you.

Make sure you are brutal about your time. So if you have 2 hours to write or do marketing, don't even take a phone call during that time. Just do what that time was allocated for. I never take phone calls from friends and family when I am working (apart from my Husband). I ring them back at lunch time or in the evening.

I schedule "reading time" when I move away from my computer and just read. I usually schedule about 2 hours/day. That is really nothing. I have read that many successful people get up 1-2 hours earlier, just to read. I read the other day that Warren Buffet reads for 6 hours every day before he even starts his work for the day!

Turn off all alerts for social media, mobiles etc.

Set an alarm for how much time you want to spend on social media and stick with it. I set about 30 minutes in the morning and "maybe" 45mins-1 hour late at night. And that is it!

I pre-schedule a lot of my social media content (using Hootsuite) a few days in advance.

I don't answer any emails until the evening, I never check my emails first thing because then you spend the best part of the day reacting to your emails (which are usually someone else's requests and demands), you lose valuable working time when you could be working on your own objectives.

I used a lot of these strategies when I was working as a Criminal Psychologist also, and they really work for me.

What has been one surreal moment you've experienced since launching Luxuria?

I haven't had many. But one time I was in a Claridges Hotel restaurant in London just having dinner with my Husband, and this very glamorous looking woman kept looking over. It was starting to un-nerve me a little. Then as she was about to leave she walked over and asked me about the ring I was wearing. When I told her it was one of mine. She explained she was leaving London the next day and wanted to buy it "off my hand!". She tried it on and it did look really beautiful on her (in fact better than it looked on me. So I gave it to her. She was so grateful. She has since recommended my boutique to many people and is now one of my best customers. But the moment she left the restaurant my Husband and I looked at each other and asked "did that really just happen?" It was quite surreal.

What is your best piece of advice for others who hope to someday be a business owner?

Don't wait for everything to be perfect and all your ducks to be in a line before you start (otherwise you will never start). Start as small as you possibly can (preferably whilst you are still working in your current job) because things will evolve and change as you start working in your business. Some people want the perfect logo and perfect website, or the fancy office with all the fancy office equipment before starting. My advice is keep everything small and as cheap as possible to start with whilst you test your idea. Then as your biz evolves your branding, work space etc will evolve with it.

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