Allie Lehman is a serial entrepreneur coming out of the great state of Ohio. My home state in fact : ) She’s an independent graphic designer, the voice behind the blog Be Up and Doing, and co-founder of the branding team The Wonder Jam which designed Toast Meets Jam. As if that wasn’t enough she is also co-founder of Death to the Stock Photo which provides beautiful, authentic stock photography for creatives all types.
We caught up at Primitivo in Venice while Allie was on 5 City Road Trip with Death to the Stock.
With Toast Meets Jam I’m constantly meeting and getting to know young female founders. If you’ve watched my interviews you’ll know that they’re all about getting to know the women behind the businesses. In getting to know these amazing young women I’ve picked up quite a bit of incredible advice on what it takes to launch your own business. With the help of Entrepreneur Magazine, I’ve created Toast Talk, a new series to bring you all of that advice rolled into one delicious dish that you can dig into every Tuesday.
To kick-off we’re going to start by talking about overcoming the obstacles that can come with launching a business. And this week we’re going to start by talking about self-doubt.
One of the biggest fears I hear from young women entrepreneurs is that they feel like have no idea what they are doing and are worried that someone is going to call them out for it. If this sounds like you, you’re in luck because I have 5 easy steps for you to shake that self doubt.
#1 Find Your Support System
Figure out who those people are in your life that are going to be there to support you as you grow your business. Remember, no matter how independent you are, this is not something you need to do alone and it will be much more fun if you invite people to be a part of the process with you. Find those friends, family members, and mentors who truly get it, will pick you up when you’re feeling down and push you forward when you need a little encouragement.
#2 Start Telling People About Your Business
It can be scary to share your ideas with other people. You might be worried about what they’ll think or about the negative feedback they might give. But by starting to talk about your business, not only will you start to gain more confidence in it but you’ll also start building out your support system. You’ll find that the people who care about you will want to see you succeed and will help you figure out the bits you don’t know by connecting you to the right people and resources.
#3 Don’t Worry About What Everyone Else is Doing
There are always going to be people out there for you to compare yourself to. And the reality is there are going to be people out there doing things that are very similar to what you are doing and who in your eyes might be doing it better. Good for them! Let them inspire you but don’t let them discourage you. Don’t get caught up in what other people are doing. Stay focused on what it is you need to be doing to grow your business.
#4Remind Yourself Everyone Starts Somewhere
It can sometimes seem like everyone around you is an overnight success. Like they woke up one day, decided to launch a business, and boom they instantly had it all figured out and were a roaring success. When my mind starts trailing down this path I have to remind myself that everyone starts somewhere and even the people you look up to most likely have beginnings that look very similar to your own. One handy tool that I love to use when I need a little reminder of this is the Wayback Machine. This handy tool lets you go back in time to your favorite businesses and look at their historical versions websites. Trust me it does wonders for your confidence.
#5 Celebrate Your Successes
Last but not least, take time to celebrate the wins no matter how big or small. When you’re launching your businesses there are so many first you will encounter. Be proud of every step of the journey you take forward. Right these down somewhere so you can remember just how far you’ve come and how truly amazing you are!
Now I want to hear from you. What do you do to shake self doubt? Leave a comment below and join the conversation @ToastMeetsJam.
For our interview Lindsey suggested we meet at the Farmer’s Daughter, a boutique hotel located close to Los Angeles’ The Grove. TFD is one of the brands Tribemint has enlisted to it’s roster of clients.
Inside the Farmer’s Daughter you’ll find Tart, an American diner with a country flair. Tart has become a favorite destination for weekend brunch
Lindsey and I made our way through the Farmer’s Daughter lobby and out onto Tart’s poolside patio. We found our way to a corner booth nestled beneath hanging lights and settled in to start our chat.
Tart’s brunch menu features a mix of classics with a distinctively Southern twist. You’ll find favorites like chicken & waffles, country fried steak, and farm fresh eggs. Arrive hungry because this food is made to fill.
If you’re interested in adding Tart to your weekend plans, it’s highly suggested to make a reservation as food that looks and taste this good can’t help but draw a crowd!
Have you been to Tart? What do you think? Where should we brunch next?
Tribemint is a creative marketing agency dedicated to helping companies connect with their audience through inspired vision, culture and engagement. We help clients create meaningful conversations to ignite consumer activation.
Tribemint has developed a new paradigm in the way companies create and seed cultures of engagement where loyalty, innovation, and success thrive and convert consumers and employees alike into brand advocates. (Source: Tribemint)
Lindsey Heisser is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Tribemint, a branding and digital communications agency dedicated to helping companies connect with Millennials through inspired vision, culture and engagement.
We met at Tarte Restaurant, a hip American diner with a country twist, located inside the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel – a client of Tribemint’s. We tucked into a booth on Tarte’s poolside patio and Lindsey filled me in on her experience as a female founder.
Becoming an Entrepreneur
So how do you go from corporate climber to entrepreneur? Lindsey shares how and why she took the leap.
Starting Your Business
Knowing where to start is often the hardest part. Lindsey shares her advice on the first steps to take when launching your business.
Facing the Challenges
Entrepreneurship doesn’t come without it’s challenges. Lindsey shares how she faces the ones that come her way.
Personal Traits for Success
Lindsey talks about which of her personal traits she believes have made her a successful entrepreneur.
Confidence, Super Powers, & Champagne
Lindsey takes on The Jam Jar and divulges what makes her feel confident, the super power she wishes she could have, and what her favorite drink is to toast.
More About Lindsey
Lindsey is the Managing Director of TRIBEMINT specializing in campaign ideation and execution, marketing and communication strategy and technology development. Heisser brings her entrepreneurial spirit and innate curiosity of today’s trends to deliver TRIBEMINT’S clients with fully integrated campaigns turning consumers into brand loyalists.
Prior to joining TRIBEMINT, Heisser was Director of Marketing at The Regan Group, a consumer engagement agency entrenched in entertainment and consumer packaged goods industries. It was during her 5-year tenure at the agency, Lindsey Heisser met, TRIBEMINT’s CEO, Julie Thorne Engels, and together they shaped the company culture and drove the agency’s most profitable years in business. (Source: Tribemint)
Lindsey is the Managing Director of TRIBEMINT specializing in campaign ideation and execution, marketing and communication strategy and technology development. Heisser brings her entrepreneurial spirit and innate curiosity of today’s trends to deliver TRIBEMINT’S clients with fully integrated campaigns turning consumers into brand loyalists.