questions from you: business and bidness and biznazz

Posted on 15. Mar, 2012 by Princess Lasertron.

I’ve received some great questions from you in the last few weeks via Twitter and e-mail and I’m finally getting a chance to sit down and answer them all. Besides through social media and e-mail, I’m always available through Clarity, and all the proceeds from my consulting calls to go GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

Q: What’s the idea behind CAMP? How is CAMP doing and what kind of growth have you seen with it? (From Adam)

A: CAMP has evolved a lot and the picture we have of what coworking looks like in Omaha is very different from when we first began. What I have learned is that as different businesses come and go through a coworking space, the culture and atmosphere can change–and that’s what makes coworking fun. Over the last year, the word about what I’m trying to do here has spread and I’m seeing more and more variety in the types of workers we are getting. Some become members and use desks for their businesses, but most drop in throughout the day and just benefit from the community we’ve developed here. My purpose with CAMP is to give Omaha’s freelancing and entrepreneurial community what it was lacking, and over the last year we’ve come to a much better understanding of what that is.

Q: What trends are you noticing right now in the wedding industry? (From Lori)

A: What I have noticed from what my customers are ordering is that we may be seeing more “lean” weddings in the coming season, with brides and grooms refocusing their priorities for their big day. I think we will be seeing more socially responsible decisions in wedding planning–green stationers, more DIY, a focus on reusable favors and repurposed centerpieces, for example. That trend toward understated, elegant simplicity can also definitely be seen in wedding fashion trends. This month I did two weddings where the bridesmaids wore simple cotton dresses and the groomsmen wore dress shirts, slacks, and suspenders or bow ties. It’s almost like a look back into the past, not for a literal vintage look, but with a focus on the values of a simpler time.

Q: I miss your “What I’m Really Into Right Now” posts. What are you into now, Megan? (From Jason)

A: Glacier Freeze G2 Gatorade, using a tiny flat-iron on my bangs, lean startup philosophy, the colors coral, mint, and navy, Alice’s daily new words.

Q: From before I was engaged I knew I would be a very nontraditional bride, but now as my wedding day is approaching I’m not sure what that “looks” like for me. I don’t want to look like someone I’m not, but I want to do a better version of myself I guess? I think that’s something you did really well in your wedding and I wanted to ask your advice. (From Brianna)

A: You’re right about taking cues from your own interests and wardrobe choices when you choose clothing and accessories for your wedding day. What are your favorite accessories or trademarks of your own signature style–big belts? Sequins? Polka dots or stripes? A slicked-back ponytail? Pay attention to the trends that you like most, that already represent you, and just turn up the volume for the big day. Add a little more magic and splurge on a bag in your favorite color, or a beautiful hairpiece to spruce up your signature hairdo. Your intuition is totally right–your wedding is the perfect excuse to express your own style at its best. Knowing who you are and feeling confident in your dress and accessories–not just what others say you should wear–is what will make you feel like a rock star as everyone’s eyes are on you.

Q: You seem very proactive and far from falling into procrastination. Any tips? (via Formspring)

A:  I really don’t like to feel like I’m wasting my time. Wasting your time is wasting your life. I love to relax, but I have a lot more fun relaxing when it’s intentional and I know I’m not stealing time from another responsibility. Here are a few tips I have.

• We all have the same amount of time in each day. The reason some people are kicking more ass with their time than you are is because they are using it very deliberately. Audit your time and figure out where you are losing minutes and hours–watching tv, going to bed at 10, reloading Facebook–and take responsibility for that lost time. Don’t allow yourself to have an excuse, because this is your only life. We only get one bat at this.
• If something’s not working, it’s okay to give up. You won’t get a trophy for breaking your back trying to finish a doomed project. Recognize when you’ve crossed the point of the hours being worth the effort, re-evaluate, and change your focus to something more successful.
• When working in a group, insist that everyone produce something and lead by example by being a doer. Lots of “leaders” will delay productivity and results by getting bogged down in assigning tasks, double-checking, finding consensus, etc. Surround yourself with people who break out of that pattern and you will be amazed by how contagious the motivation is.
• If you don’t look forward to your work every day, figure out what you can do to make it better. Rock your own boat.

I do procrastinate a lot and I notice that I tend to use the excuse of being busy with other things. For example, I’ll be working on packaging orders or sewing while I avoid returning a phone call or answering email. Communication is my weak point, which really sucks.

Q: Are you planning to have any more children? (via Formspring)

A: I think so, but I wish Dave could carry the next one. We want to live with Alice in Berlin for a year when she is five, so we’re trying to decide if bringing a baby is a good idea or if we should wait a bit longer! I’m okay with waiting. And I guess you never know what will happen.

Q: How did you get featured in all those magazines shown on your website? Do you actively pursue PR opportunities? What’s your strategy? (From Heather)

A: I’m thinking about a website redesign–it’s been three years–and the “featured in” section probably needs to look different now. I’d love it to be more interactive so you can go into all of those resources and articles. Just having the tile on there is kinda 90s.

My entire marketing plan is unforgettable customer experience–hopefully in a positive way, of course. I don’t mean “customer is always right” stuff, I mean thinking creatively to find a way to bring joy and delight to each customer in a meaningful way for them. For example, when you order something from ModCloth, the unboxing process is always a thrill and it’s always different. Sometimes you get confetti, sometimes the inside of the box is printed with a brilliant pattern. It’s a delight. When you order something from Net-a-Porter, you receive a measuring tape and a sizing card in case you need to exchange what you bought. When you call Zappos customer service, you can ask them anything–including the best place to order a pizza. With my businesses, I’ve learned that it’s so important to just give a shit about what it’s like to order something from me. To get an e-mail from me. To come to my website and read a post. As a two-person operation here, it can be a lot to handle during busier times but it’s what’s grown my business and brought me more opportunity than any ad I ever bought. I admit that I overdo it, I over-engage, but I also over-work and over-execute. It’s a balance.

I’m available through social media–Facebook and Twitter especially–to talk and answer questions and engage all the time, which both customers and press take advantage of. And I try to offer a transparent and open look into my life and my business here on my website. There is a lot of opportunity in the business world when you engage through social media and become part of all the micro-conversations going on. Talk about what you’ve learned. Ask about what you want to learn. Share opinions, have a backbone, know what you represent–that’s how you attract superfans. A devoted fan will bring you more value than any advertising could. These tactics are great because they’re free, but also because you put yourself in a position to authentically represent your business–your passion–in a space where your customers already are. Make it easy for them to learn about you, to share your news, and to interact with what you’re actually selling. I’m learning a lot about that lately.

Thanks again for all of your great questions.
xo
meg

Photo by Anthony Licari

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radvent day 20: mentoring

Posted on 20. Dec, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

No matter where you are in your life or career–whether you’re a 17-year-old high school senior trying to decide what comes next, or a 55-year-old executive who feels settled and comfortable in a fulfilling career, finding mentors is a foolproof way to get your mind to work in new, creative ways. Trying to think the way someone else does by putting yourself in their environment for a day exercises your brain and refreshes your perspective.

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Remember when you were in school and you had to take a communications class? Maybe you had to give a persuasive speech, or research a business plan. In my classes, we always had to interview people–from my organizational communication classes where we learned about how to interview and hire people, to my feature writing classes where we learned about interviewing people for news stories. Those were my favorite classes (and hey, I was a communication major, so there you go) because I loved the emphasis on relationships. In journalism, I loved sitting down with regular people and learning about how magical their lives are, as each interesting fact revealed itself through the course of our conversation. Writing about their stories was an honor, putting their wisdom and experiences on paper to share with anyone who would read it.

Put yourself back in school and think of someone you have always wanted as a mentor, someone who you feel you could learn a lot from. Someone who can help you expand your set of skills and experiences, or just inspire you to do more with your talent. Think of fifteen questions to ask that person, and then ask them if they have time in the next few weeks to sit down for coffee with you.

Last week, I job shadowed for a day at Artifact Bag Company, owned by Chris Hughes. When I first met Chris in September, I fell in love with his company. I love how he uses old-school techniques and materials to make bags out of leather and waxed canvas that will absolutely last for generations, and in the business of heirloom-making myself, I wanted to skip down to his studio, bond over our love of making it pretty, and try my hand at a few of his techniques.

Chris’s studio was full of vintage industrial sewing machines that he uses to sew each bag, big work tables sourced from old factories, and rolls upon rolls of beautiful waxed canvas and hides in every shade of sand, coffee, and black. I learned how to use a strap cutter on leather, how he reinforces his stitches, and I cut out hundreds of washers from leather scraps that help strengthen the rivets on each bag. I don’t plan to break into leatherwork or start a line of bags, but watching Chris’s process taught me a lot about how I can improve my work, and spending the day with another handmade artisan was just great for my soul.

No matter where you are in your life or career–whether you’re a 17-year-old high school senior trying to decide what comes next, or a 55-year-old executive who feels settled and comfortable in a fulfilling career, finding mentors is a foolproof way to get your mind to work in new, creative ways. Trying to think the way someone else does by putting yourself in their environment for a day exercises your brain and refreshes your perspective.

Being a mentor is an amazing experience and a really fulfilling challenge too, with an enthusiastic mentee. I have mentored mainly students, as a public speaking coach for a high school speech team and as a mentor through TeamMates, a youth outreach program started by Nebraska Husker coach Tom Osborne. I also speak often at local high schools and colleges about marketing, entrepreneurship, and design. I’m back in school all the time and it really keeps me

Jane Round, an emerging Omaha fashion designer and high school senior reached out to me recently to answer a few questions for her Fashion Merchandising class. I wanted to share some of her questions to me and my responses. Maybe a few of Jane’s questions will be a great way jumping off point for you to open a conversation with a mentor of your own!

J: How did you start your business?

M: I started Princess Lasertron in 2005 when I was 19 and in college. After a few months, I realized that it was worth taking the chance to dive in and really invest time in developing my skills and knowledge to create a viable business. To take the first steps and start everything off the “right” way, I contacted a lawyer who helped me file all the paperwork to start Princess Lasertron as a sole proprietorship and gave me a quick primer on how to file tax documents! The first few quarters of filing withholding, returns, sales tax, quarterly tax estimates…each time I had to mail something to the government it took days of productivity out of my work week and killed so much enthusiasm and morale I had for pursing this business as a passion. After several years of trying to just make myself like it, I met my business advisor who has made a career out of her own passion of helping small businessowners like me pursue their goals. She took the paperwork and stress off of my plate and now I’m better able to focus on strategy, design, and production rather than government compliance. That’s a huge part of business that can’t be underplayed in the decision to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.

J: Why did you start Princess Lasertron?

M: I started a business because I wanted to have more control over my future and take advantage of my potential.

J: What is your most consistent source of inspiration?

M: My inspiration is the thought of becoming the woman I always wanted to be. Every second that I am doing work that satisfies and fulfills me, I am embodying the best version of myself. I’m also deeply inspired by my friends and colleagues here in Omaha who find similar joy and satisfaction in what they do–whether it’s in work or just life in general. I think in the future the line between “work” and “life” will continue to be blurred as people are empowered to pursue work that is more personally satisfying. That is my wish for everyone–that they are able to actualize the best, happiest version of themselves.

J: Where did you work before CAMP?

M: Before I started CAMP, Omaha’s first coworking space (where our studio is also located), I worked out of my basement, out of my home office, out of coffee shops, out of my friends’ living room couches…essentially, I was mobile. With CAMP, of course, I still have the freedom to take my work anywhere for a change of scenery, but I now have a permanent studio space to share with employees and interns, and an office space to share with other students, entrepreneurs, and motivated workers in our community.

J: What Princess Lasertron products sell the best?

M: Our kits and bouquets are our bread and butter.

J: How would you like to continue expanding?

M: I’d like to do more speaking and teaching around the world–right now we have taught sessions at creative conferences and spoken at numerous events about everything from entrepreneurship, coworking, marketing, and design to being a business-owning mom and instilling creativity in my child. I’d like to hire a team of sewers who do more of the handwork involved in our products. I’d like to do more consulting with other small businesses. I’d like to release a mainstream line of fabrics, and design a bag with Artifact Bag Company. I’m writing a book right now. I’d love to do a tv show. I don’t really limit myself as far as these fantasies go!!

J: Where do most of your sales come from?

M: We work with about 300 brides each year and we reach them online through our website, or they find us through some of our media features on blogs or in magazines. Our international customers make up 46% of our sales, so we have quite an international following which I think is only possible by focusing our marketing efforts online. My very first sale in 2005 was to an Italian bride.

J: Who is you target market? Tell me about the Princess Lasertron girl.

M: The Princess Lasertron girl is a confident, happy woman. She has a whimsical signature style and a graceful demeanor. Sophisticated, but not forgetful of the playful girl she was as a child. I draw great inspiration from my own childhood, and great comfort from the fact that I am still that person. She’s still here with me. Our target market is young women aged 18-30 who are just on the precipice of breakthroughs in life. About to graduate. About to get married. About to move into her own apartment. About to go in for that big interview. About to open the first big thick envelope from her first-choice university. My goal with Princess Lasertron is to inspire women to realize they deserve the rewards of these things. They should feel no shame in recognizing these accomplishments–these milestones–and feeling worthy of them. And if they need a great dress–well hey, we have that too.

J: What kinds of promotion do you use?

M: I do all of my marketing online by buying ads on relevant blogs and maintaining a presence on several industry message boards and communities. I use Twitter and Facebook pretty constructively and I also do some freelance writing for other blogs and magazines. I also think it’s just as important to be aware of marketing yourself when you turn off the computer, leave the office, and think you’re “off the clock.” I do this by making my best effort to dress well, speak well, and by making an effort to play a role in the arts in my community and connecting with other people who dream big dreams. I try to be my best every day because if I ever turn a corner on a street and see Andy Cohen staring me in the face, if I ever answer the phone and hear “This is Martha Stewart calling for Princess Lasertron,” I will be ready to react. This is what I meant earlier when I talked about blurring the lines between work and life–never going off the clock. It doesn’t mean you have no life. It means you love your life.

J: How have your promotional techniques evolved since beginning Princess Lasertron?

M: When I began, it actually all started with a well-placed ad on a well-trafficked wedding website. I couldn’t afford it at the time and I was absolutely wringing my hands with anxiety about whether or not I’d have to eat the cost as a huge loss. Within the hour I had gotten enough inquiries via e-mail to justify what I spent, and still today I get contacted by brides who say they first found me through that initial advertisement I bought six years ago. So much of promotion involves intuition and luck.

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Are you writing your own radvent responses in your journal or blog? Feel free to share the link–they are awesome sources of inspiration for everyone!

xo
meg

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Questions from you no. 29: Mr. Lasertron Edition

Posted on 06. Jul, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

My husband, Dave, has been receiving questions via Formspring, e-mail, and Twitter, and we decided to condense them all into one post.

Photo by Daniel Muller for Esoteric Velvet

1. My husband says he supports my desire to start a business, but he’s so reluctant to volunteer help with the housework and kids because he says they’re “women’s work”! How did you and Megan figure out what balance works for you? Did you have to change any perceptions of “men’s” and “women’s” roles to get where you are now? Any advice for talking with my husband about this? (From A Desperate Momma)

Me and Megan both agreed on this one, but for us we felt there really are no jobs that are for “women” or “men”. We both grew up questioning many of the values that our culture, for one reason or another, has always espoused. For us, it really didn’t make sense to play along with traditional gender roles with Megan’s busy schedule. She has to invest so much time into her business(es) that it wouldn’t be practical for me to expect her to do many of the things that have been traditionally defined as “women’s work”. If I want laundry done I do it. If Megan wants the kitchen cleans she cleans it. If I want my daughter to grow up healthy and strong I cook and feed her when she’s hungry. Traditional gender roles just aren’t practical for our family.

I don’t really have any advice for how to deal with this with your husband, as everyone’s family is different. This might just be something that he has to come to for himself, but maybe you could ask him exactly what makes it woman’s work? If he has trouble explaining then maybe you should try to explain to him that for your business to be successful traditional gender roles are going to have to take a back seat.

2. My question for Mr. Lasertron is the same one you asked in your post about your recent date night. What made him change his mind and go out to breakfast with you that night? (From Sarah)

In all honesty I’m not really sure why I changed my mind. Megan and I had argued with each other online, on a local message board, before meeting in person and as I was walking home I thought to myself “Maybe hanging out with these guys would be fun?” and the rest is history.

3. How tall are you and your wife? (From Meredith)

I’m 1.98m and Megan is about 1.5m I think. In english units that’s 6’6″ for me and about 5’0″ for Megan. I think.

4. In your opinion, what are the top five baby essentials that I should get for my friend who is a new dad? (From Nicole)

1. Puj Tub at pujbaby.com.  This is perfect for bathing your kid hands-free in the sink until they can sit up in the big tub.

2. OXO candela rechargeable lights.  These are great for stumbling around in the dark every night.

3. xbox 360 with a netflix subscription to watch stuff while your newborn sleeps in your lap and if you move your kid will wake up and start crying.  For me that was pretty much the first 8 months.  I watched EVERYTHING on netflix, most of it terrible.
4. LOTS of plain white washrags.  We use about 5-10 daily because kids don’t know how to properly eat.