new store! check out the changes to shop.princesslasertron.com

Posted on 02. Feb, 2012 by Princess Lasertron.

I’ve made it easier for you to buy stuff from me, and it’s a much prettier experience now too. Thanks a lot to Storenvy for the support and awesome service as I set up shop. I love the integration with Twitter and Facebook and how easy it is for shoppers to interact in the Storenvy marketplace community. Founder Jon Crawford describes Storenvy as “a Tumblr for e-commerce.” I’m also proud to say that Storenvy was built on the Silicon Prairie in Kansas City before the startup moved to San Francisco.

Here are some changes you can expect in your shopping experience:

• I pared down my dress line offerings to my top-selling and favorite looks.
• Our surprise bouquets are still discounted to $75, but we pick the one you get. (I promise you’ll love it!)
• We offer a discount for brides looking to DIY felt flower bouquets for their entire wedding party with our buy-three-get-one-free kit deal.
• Storenvy breaks our shop down into easy-to-browse categories.
• As a shopper, you can share your favorite products on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and more with one click.
• You can add products (whether they’re mine or another seller’s!) to a list of favorites so you can come back and browse any time.
• Brides who want a custom bouquet can still begin by filling out our bridal inquiry form, which I will respond to within three days.
• Shoppers can also browse the Princess Lasertron shop on our Facebook page.

This is pretty cool and I’m really excited to be part of the Storenvy community. This is a company that creates a really enjoyable browsing experience for shoppers, and also respects sellers and gives them the tools to customize their shops and spread the word about their work. You can click the tab at the top of my website to go to the shop, or click here to go to shop.princesslasertron.com. A+++++++ would buy again.

xo
meg

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reality check: feminism in business

Posted on 02. Feb, 2012 by Princess Lasertron.

When I was in junior high, I started subscribing to this feminist catalog. I tried forever to remember the name of it for this post but it’s not coming to me–maybe you know. They primarily sold buttons and t-shirts with slogans, and you could also order grab bags of pins with lots of different sayings on them, for a variety of causes. I was introduced to

AHA. I got it. Northern Sun.

I was introduced to MANY different issues through Northern Sun–Feminism, but many other things too. Vegetarianism. Peace. Spirituality, Native American rights issues, gay and lesbian rights, the idea that evolution was a controversial subject at all. So I had a very activist phase in junior high, not only wearing my buttons proudly but learning to ask questions about how others were treated, how I wanted to experience my life, and what kind of place I thought the world ought to be. That’s why I think “slogan t-shirts” are a great way for kids to introduce themselves to world issues and deeper thought, and come out with a better understanding of their own identities. When I see people my age scoff at teenagers wearing Che Guevara t-shirts from Hot Topic, I think that kind of sucks because whatever channel people can use to access these ideas is fine with me.

Anyway. After a while with the buttons, I cooled it with the sanctimony and learned to respect how others wanted to believe. But as time went on I started keeping my mouth shut in general. This describes the path my position of activism took from that point:

“I started learning about feminism, and it made me realize about how unjust the world really is not only to women, but other traditionally marginalized groups. But the more I spoke up about it, the more I was called a bitch. The more I was encouraged to play along with the game. I didn’t want to get a reputation as disagreeable, annoying, or unpleasant. So then I started to question whether or not I really understood what I was feeling. Maybe it was too complicated to talk about. After all, compared to many other groups and communities, institutionalized stereotyping and discrimination of women isn’t really that bad. I have enough privilege. Blah. Maybe I should drop it.”

That story might actually be a common one for many women. And as I’ve gotten older and had more experiences of discrimination and even outright physical abuse, I realized that I have tended to ignore or excuse this behavior, which only shows others that I accept it. I mean what do you do in those situations? Whether it’s sex or gender-based, race-based, whatever, those ignorant little comments–usually spoken by totally nice, good, well-meaning people of course–just leave me with my jaw dropped. If you correct someone for saying something sexist, you’re a “bitch” and they were “just joking.” If you ask someone to leave an event or party for harassing you, you’re “causing a scene.”

I’ve noticed a weird, marked increase in snide comments about my job, or ignorant questions about how I run two businesses, or assumptions made about my marital status, questions about my husband. Maybe I am suddenly for some reason more aware of it and it was always that way. For example, at a recent local event where I received an award for my business accomplishments, someone came up to my husband and introduced himself, asked him about what he does, and then thumbed at me and said “Dragged the wife along, eh?” Then to me, “These things are so boring.” Yes, these big-boy business things are too boring for poor little wifey. I would have loved to see his face when I went up on stage. What a douche, right?

…I did an interview for a podcast a few weeks ago and the host said, “Bring some of those coochie little things you make.” WTF? That’s nonsense, it’s incredibly stupid and he would never use language like that with a male guest on his business show.
…Tonight at an event for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce at CAMP, I spoke to two people who assumed my male tenant owned the workspace. “It’s cool of him to let you grow your business here.”
…I spoke to someone who assumed that I was able to work “away from the home” because my husband supported my business.
…My assistant’s friend was raped and her attacker was found innocent in court. He used the “she was asking for it because she was drinking” defense.
…At another event recently, some tactless drunk person told me that “a lot of people” felt bad for my husband because I asked him to marry me.

Like, beyond weird. What year is this? Am I 80 years old?

I normally don’t talk about this stuff–like I said–but I posted on Facebook tonight about “becoming super feminist lately” and the commenters encouraged me to post about it after the ensuing discussion. I’ve actually noticed similar sentiments from other women in my network–whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, or in person, it seems like our collective gender stereotype radars have been on overdrive lately.

Here are some comments from my Facebook post that I really liked:

My experience at H&R Block this evening: “I’m sorry, I’m just so used to the man being the main tax payer.” ★ “Someone told me today that I am “rebellious” for not pursuing marriage and children.” ★ “I don’t know why…I’m noticing things lately. I always figured it was a “ignore it and it doesn’t exist” kind of thing, but I’ve been realizing that that isn’t actually the case. I’m so annoyed that I’m even writing this.” ★ “I have come to the above conclusion lately and realizing a lot of my annoyances were not me just being an “overly insensitive woman” but reacting to real inequalities.” ★ “I have been SO OVER gender stereotypes these past two weeks. Especially the idea that assertive women are bitchy.”

There is certainly something to be said for dreaming big, and that’s something that some women may not “traditionally” do. I know I can speak for myself on that one. My goals for Princess Lasertron are basically fulfilled–I have reached the place I wanted to be five years ago and exceeded my own expectations. But along the way as I’ve gotten more involved in the “entrepreneurship” (meaning tons of tech startups owned by men) community, I’ve learned so much about what it means to swim with the big fish by watching from the sidelines. Speaking at conferences around the country about best practices? Venture capital? Advisory boards? It’s interesting to be considered a formidable player and tastemaker in my industry, and also be aware that my work is primarily “adorable” in the sea of other passionate entrepreneurs in my community. It’s made me question whether I am thinking too small, and start making plans for a higher rate of growth. As I’ve realized this, I’ve found a wonderfully supportive group of advisers and mentors to help me explore these ideas further.

I’m capable of a lot. I love to work hard and my passion is business. Everything I accomplish is a function of my motivation, focus, and decision making. I’ve had to learn like any other entrepreneur. It stings as little bit to know that some people think I’m merely doing “good enough for a girl,” or good enough for now. Feeling criticized makes me ask why people might be thinking that way about me and whether I’m addressing the long-term goals I have set for my career. How can I finish my book and do a speaking tour? How can I create a platform for my favorite tastes and styles to reach my fellow lovers of design, without barriers to engagement? How can I support the work of aspiring designers? How can I move to Berlin for a year with Alice and enroll her in Kindergarten? How can I speak at a major conference about this fabulous marriage of technology and style? And as I make my plans and work with mentors and strategize with my workers, I keep creasing my tissue paper and replying to e-mail and coordinating photoshoots and doing phone interviews and designing tutorials. I keep driving to the office with Alice sleeping in the back seat so I can pick up work to do and get things done in the car. I keep missing dinner with my family and bedtime because I get most of my time to work at night.

All hardworking people make sacrifices–after all, every time you say yes to one thing, you say no to something else. It’s absurd to have to explain that to people who think I am just having fun in a clubhouse downtown playing “office” all day.

xo
meg

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today’s outfit and what I’m working on

Posted on 15. Jan, 2012 by Princess Lasertron.

This time of year is so busy.
I’m working hard right now on January and February bridal orders.
Trying to get new tenants into CAMP every day.
Finding sponsors and vendors for a new Midwest bridal show I’m co-organizing with a few other fantastic women.
Talking to VIP guests for Omaha Fashion Week.
Doing a push for new advertisers on my blog.
Typing the sample chapter for my book proposal.

I’m contemplating not doing a new line this spring. The next one I do will be totally in-house, patterned and sewn by me–a look very different from what we have put out in the past. My plan was to use that collection of samples and then start manufacturing the new line for wholesale using a small, ethically-operated overseas manufacturer. I need more time to refine my strategies for executing this goal, and maybe more time to look for partners or possibly investors. I really hate doing things poorly, so I’d rather put this project on hold than rush the process. If I don’t do a new line, I won’t participate in Omaha Fashion Week as a designer, which would be a disappointment to me. So right now I am just trying to weigh all of my options. I could do a smaller, more experimental line for OFW Spring 2012. I could scrap the whole project and instead focus on fundraising and connecting the organization with other influencers in the fashion industry to help support other local designers. I could do nothing and focus instead on my book, CAMP, and current clients. It is hard when you don’t know what the right answer is.

Shirt: American Apparel
Coat: Lauren Moffat
Skirt: Worthington
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Bobbi Blu
Purse: Miss Albright

xo
meg

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How to start: a guide for procrastinators, excuse-makers, busy people, and everyone with a big scary dream

Posted on 06. Dec, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

“How did you start…” “Where did you begin…” “How did you know…” and “I wish I could…” are the most common types of questions I get from people about the experiences I’ve had as an entrepreneur (the answers to many of them can be read in my FAQ section). I’m definitely someone who has struggled with motivation and taking the first steps, but that changed when I started a business and finally got to spend all of my time creating things, working with people who inspired me, and developing the career I really wanted. Once I got a few sales, a few comments, and a few mentions on other blogs, the excitement and momentum continued to snowball and just made me more eager to work harder and better. Next came a few media inquiries, a few magazine features, a few opportunities to travel for business, and that snowball just keeps rolling down the hill as I continue to gain experience with new facets of design, writing, and business ownership.

If you are stuck in that frustrating place between a perfectly nice life and the explosive confidence and fulfillment that comes from believing in your own potential, read on! I want you to read these tips that express the most important things I have learned in the last six years about, simply, where to begin. They are simple, effective, and will take you past the starting gate well onto the path toward your dream.

1. Starting doesn’t mean suffering.

It’s true that there will never be a perfect time to get started on a big new project. But it’s not true that you need to race against time to accomplish everything on your list, or even that you need to do everything on your list at all.

One of my mentors, Chris Guillebeau, writes about living a purposeful life and how to eliminate distractions, busywork, and things that you really just don’t want to do that are just getting in the way of the time you could spend in a more meaningful way–traveling, helping others, writing, for example. Stop suffering through unnecessary commitments by asking yourself “Why should I do this? What will happen if I don’t?”

So before you begin anything, get your priorities right. Check your motivations. Don’t start things you don’t want to do. You’re not in a race and you don’t get extra points at the finish line for sticking to a plan that you never even liked.

2.Start very simply.

What discourages many people I talk to from starting their projects is the sheer magnitude of work they see before them. Even for a hard worker, the amount of focus and time it takes to begin a podcast, publish a book, write a play, design a video game–whatever–can be enough to make you go back to bed and hide under the covers. Making a very simple task list can help you manage the anxiety:

• Spend three minutes brainstorming the tasks you will have to complete to reach your goal. Write them down.
• Cross out the tasks that require money–hiring a web developer, making business cards, buying a laptop, getting a new outfit, whatever.
• Set your timer for 10 minutes and work on just ONE of the items left on the list.

Take each task one at a time. You don’t have to finish one before starting another right now. You are just building momentum that will motivate you to keep setting that timer.

3. Work in intense, focused blocks.

We all hate to hear it, but you just have to ignore all the distractions. I know it hurts–not clicking over to my twitter tab or checking my phone is enough to give me the crack scratches, but make it easier by setting a timer. I just turn the dial on my little kitchen timer up to “30″ for half an hour of uninterrupted, no-multitasking, focused work. As soon as I set the timer on my desk–somewhere where it won’t distract me–I can work without stress about all of the tweets, emails and texts I’m missing, because I know I have permission to take a break when that timer goes off. Most likely, if you’ve been working with intense focus, once your block of time is up you will be motivated to just reset the timer and keep going.

4. Use a voice recorder so you don’t lose those unexpected moments of brilliance.

As a blogger, I think about the daily topics I write about well in advance of each post. It’s rare that I think of a post idea and crank out 400 words of good content in the span of a day–it’s usually about a week of casual, passive thought that goes into each major post. If I didn’t use a voice recorder to remember the ideas that came to me in the weirdest places throughout the day, I’d forget it all!

Before I had a smartphone with a voice recorder feature (and AFTER it stopped being cool to carry around a battery-operated tape recorder), I would call my own phone’s voicemail and leave myself a message and just talk stream-of-consciousness style about a good thought I just had that I can use for a post or a project or whatever. Once I sit down to work again at my desk, I listen to the recordings and type out anything worth saving. I will note that the voice recorder works better than pen and paper for me because I can’t write at the speed of my thoughts. I also can’t always dig into my bag to jot something down when I am in traffic or when I otherwise have my arms full. And it’s just as unlikely that I’ll be able to read whatever I wrote down. Tragic scribbles!

5. Collaboration is great, but you have to know when to just pull the trigger.

I completely believe that nobody can pull off a big idea without a hand from some good friends–whether you need financing, heavy lifting, or just emotional support when the going gets rough, having a handful of dedicated supporters and friends in your arsenal are indispensible to accomplishing any big dream. When I started CAMP Coworking, it was with three other friends who were there in the beginning to lend their ideas, support, and resources, but as the person who has ownership of this space I can’t rely on any other voices to speak for me when decisions have to be made. Support in all of its forms will come and go, so it’s very important to get used to being decisive and thinking quickly without the need to always consult others.

In planning other things like Barcamp Omaha and Omaha Fashion Week, I realized even more that “working by consensus” gets absolutely nothing done. When I was asking magazine editors and fashion celebrities to come to Omaha Fashion Week, I offered them airfare, hotel, and a personal concierge for the duration of their visit who would provide food, transportation, entertainment, etc. I didn’t know how the hell I would pay for it all, but as I started getting replies I began to strategize and collaborate with the right local businesses and other supporters to create a perfect VIP experience. Sometimes in big teams, you just have to take responsibility for a task, make a decision, execute perfectly, and prepare to ask for forgiveness!

6. Identify and live according to your mission.

Create four columns on a piece of paper. (Full disclosure: I really like hand-writing brain exercises like these–you can type them of course, but beware of other distractions that lurk on the computer screen!) Label them: “Why do I want to do this?” “Why does the existence of my idea matter?” “Where do I want to be in a month/year/five years?” and “What will I do to get there?” These basic questions are the framework that will help you fine-tune the meaning and purpose of your goal. Once you have a clearer, written understanding of the value of this project in your life, post it in a place where you can see it every day. Think about it when you wake up and before you go to bed. Record those brilliant thoughts you get in the check-out aisle. And act every day to move closer toward the end result of achieving your vision. Stop thinking. Stop planning. Start doing.

xo
meg

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join the make it pretty subscription club!

Posted on 29. Nov, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

Have you ever wanted a one-of-a-kind Princess Lasertron creation, but you weren’t sure what to buy? Are you constantly wanting the newest thing? Do you LOVE getting beautiful things in the mail?

I am trying something new, experimental, and exciting with any fun-loving customers who want to come along on the adventure—the Princess Lasertron Club Subscription! Pay $30 every two months and I will send you an original creation of my choosing every eight weeks—shoe clips made with vintage earrings, a pin made with a new fun color of felt, a sweet small package of handmade ephemera and supplies, a small handmade fabric-covered notebook–you never know what it will be, but you can bet it will be adorable and it will make you happy.

You get a collection of six items over the course of the year that no one else will have, and I’m free to make things using only my own creativity and favorite materials as a guide. Every package will be a surprise for you, and I can’t wait to make you something you’ll love! You can choose the payment plan that works for you–$30 every two months, a six-month membership, or for a year all at once!

Club members will also receive exclusive sneak peeks about our fall 2012 line of separates and other new products, coupon codes for my shop, and inclusion in special giveaways just for club members.

Click the graphic above or go to the Make it Pretty Club page in our shop to subscribe.

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