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

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

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.

I will say that he doesn’t really need a diaper bag because you can put diaper stuff in anything. A messenger bag, a backpack, even a reusable nylon grocery sack. We have a Shinzi Katoh tote.

5. My husband needs some style help–how can I get my man to dress a little better? Where do you like to shop? What is your favorite outfit? (From Jackie)

My favorite place to shop is probably Macy’s when we’re on vacation in Chicago. Macy’s is on the pricey side of things but in my experience they have always been stocked with more than enough sale racks to allow me to get TONS of really nice and classy stuff on the cheap. If you’re not sure where to start get some real nice jeans, like Diesel or Seven for All Mankind. Yes they are more expensive than jeans you can get at target, but they fit so much better, look nicer, and last about 10 times longer. I have several pairs of jeans from around 2002 that I still wear today because they last so long. Because of that, you really end up saving money in the long run so there’s really no reason not to get nice high-quality jeans that fit well and look nice. I love Ben Sherman, Kenneth Cole, Perry Ellis, D&G, and I get most of my lazy clothes from Express.

6. Has it been hard supporting your wife in her business over the last five years? I imagine you have had to sacrifice somethings? (From Calliez)

Yes it has absolutely been hard. We’ve both sacrificed so much, mostly our free time. Giving up free time was hard for me because I was a HUGE slacker before I met megan and before we got married.

7. How has your relationship changed in the past year adding Alice to your family? From Katie L)

I suspect our relationship changes have probably been pretty typical of all married couples with newborns. We have a lot less husband/wife time now with alice, which turns out is pretty important. We have usually a single date night every week that we have to force ourselves to use for actual dates despite our reluctance to do so. Sometimes Megan will be so busy or I will be so exhausted that we want to spend our date nights just doing extra work, or taking naps. It has also changed for the better in some ways as well. I appreciate Megan much more now that she helps raise my beautiful daughter. Going through 60 hours of labor together, accomplishing something so great together, changed our relationship forever. We didn’t know we had that strength in us.

8. What do you do when Megan is at work? (From Peter)

If I’m watching Alice I’ll usually take her on a walk, watch TV with her, or play with her with her toys or books. Today we went to the elementary school down the street and played some basketball. If I’m not watching Alice and Megan is at work I’m either at work, napping, making food for myself/Alice (Megan doesn’t eat what I cook usually), or playing xbox.

9. Have you always been stylish?

Absolutely not. Once I grew up in my late 20s I finally got some sense of fashion and ditched the skater shoes and spiky punkrock hair.

10. Where does Mr. Lasertron get inspiration from?

I’m not really one that receives inspiration. My brain is mostly analytical, but when I do get that creative bug it usually comes from any sort of video game, scifi/fantasy movie/book, or roleplaying game I’ve done in the past. Most of that nerd energy gets channeled into some sort of obscure joke on twitter that pretty much nobody thinks is funny except me.

11. If Mr. Lasertron ruled a country he would… (From Emma)

I would probably dump an insane amount of money into fancy alternative energy sources that provide both excellent energy for my citizens and also help to fixate atmospheric carbon.

12. If you could choose an outfit for Princess Lasertron and Babytron, what would you choose?

Megan and Alice would both have to wear an outfit that’s kind of an old tymee swimsuit from the 30s with a parasol. They would be the awesomest mother/daughter combo ever.

13. What is your favorite dinner to cook?

Chana Masala is the best food on the planet.

14. What is your favorite 80′s movie?

Probably Aliens. Robocop is also amazingly good.

15. Lemonade or Iced Tea?

I like iced tea. I’m not really into sugary drinks like lemonade.

16. I would love to see one of Dave’s recipes that he likes to share with Alice. I think Vegan cooking is so interesting. Is it hard to be vegan? (From Amanda)

1. 1/4th cup red lentils
2. 1/4th cup cleaned quinoa
3. 1 tbspn olive oil (more for flavor than for actual cooking)
4. 1/2 cup some kind of mushy vegetables
5. 1/4th tspn curry powder (no salt. babies don’t really need salty stuff)
6. 1/4th tspn cumin seed, ground or whole
7. 1/4th tspn ground coriander seed.
8. Lots of water (start with a cup, but more will probably be added throughout the cooking)

Throw the lentils, quinoa and water into a small saucepan and set for low or medium low heat. Add a little bit of salt just to make the water boil at a higher temperature but not really enough to taste. Bring to boil then set for low head and cover and let simmer. Add vegetables and spices. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on how much water has boiled off. The trick is to keep checking the consistency vs the amount of water left. You want it to turn into mush obviously so the kid can eat it. You typically have to simmer for about 40 minutes. If you’re running low on water but the concoction isn’t mush yet then simply add some more water. Once it’s mush continue to boil until you get a slightly watery applesauce consistency. Let cool and let the kid eat away. This stuff also stays good in the fridge for about a week. I like eating it too so I usually make a lot.

xo

Q: What’s the best and worst business advice you’ve received? (From Kari)

Best: Planning is just guessing. Worst: Avoid controversy.

Q: I’m a young Mum of one and I’m currently a stay at home Mum. My question is this. How do you do it?? I feel like I’m constantly cleaning, tidying, doing laundry, entertaining my son, feeding him, changing him, buying groceries and the list goes on and on. I never quite get on top of everything. How do you manage to be such a super Mum, keep on top of laundry, have a lovely house, always dress cute and on top of that run a business and write blogs etc??? Where do you get the energy and how do you stay motivated? I need to know your secret.

My secret is the sweet and marvelous Mr. David Homan, my forever-boyfriend of six years and the man who made me a mama. We have a somewhat nontraditional dynamic that was born out of our respect for each other and the necessity created with our very different jobs. Dave has a 8-5 job at the local university. There is a great company culture there and he has the flexibility to leave early or arrive late or take time off as needed, which is great for me having a more unpredictable schedule. Alice and I wake up between 11am and noon, and I hang out at home, make our breakfasts and lunches, tidy up, finish chores, run a few errands, and take Alice into work with me. Around 5 or 6 after Dave gets off work, we spend a few hours together, he takes over with Alice, and I go back to work until 4 or 5am.

How do I keep on top of the laundry, have a lovely house, entertain my daughter, and take care of all of our errands? The answer is simple. I don’t. Dave does more than half the share of the homekeeping. He leaves his work at the office every day, but I live my job every second of every day as an entrepreneur, and his reliable schedule makes it a fit for our family for him to contribute more to the domestic duties than the average husband. He enjoys cooking, he keeps our laundry fresh and folded, and makes sure our refrigerator is stocked with soy milk and plenty of snacks while I make my contributions to the family by working. Each couple has to do what works for them, but whatever roles you choose to fulfill have to be informed by an understanding of teamwork and mutual support. What can you do to support your spouse? What can he/she do to help you?

Q: My mom doesn’t support me in my proposed career-choice. She makes me feel so useless and as if I will be wasting time. She keeps saying I don’t have enough real-world experience and that I should listen to her cause she’s wiser. What should I do?

You should prove her wrong. If you want to make it work, put in the time and work and find some mentors in your industry and focus on your commitment to your dream. However, get real with yourself. If you are only trying to pursue this career to spite your mother, you will burn out. So reflect, and ask yourself: What would I do if no one was around to make me feel bad about myself?

Q: What’s the best thing that has happened to you in business? (From Chris)

The best thing hasn’t come yet.
The day after I bought my first online advertorial on a popular blog was good because I was inundated with orders and the advertisement–which I couldn’t afford when I bought it– paid for itself instantly. It also confirmed to me that I had a product people really wanted.
The day I opened CAMP was a good day because it represented my personal goal of bringing support to Omaha’s entrepreneurs.
The day CAMP became profitable was a good day because it showed me my services were valuable to the community.
The days I hired my employees was good because then I was able to break through the ceiling that had been keeping me from earning more money.
More best things to come.

Q: Where would you like to spend your retirement?

Living on the 4th floor of Hotel Bogota on Kurfurstendamm in Berlin. Wearing eccentric glasses and directing artsy photoshoots.

Q: Is there anything that you haven’t done or learned that you’d like to try? (From Karli)

I am really eager to learn more about letterpress, bookbinding, and screen printing.

Q: Tell us: “Two things I really like to do are …” (From Paige)

Two things I really like to do are shop for new clothes online and sketch while my daughter and husband sleep near me.

Q: Did your education help you with your business? (From Jess)

I have degrees in Intercultural Communication and German with a media studies emphasis from (the now-defunct) Dana College in Blair, NE. I have only ever wanted to be an artist but in college I decided to study German and Communication because I loved the classes. I tried doing the art program but I found it much too rigid. I think I took getting graded on my artistic vision a little too personally. I chalk up my education to fun and experience. I had a great time in college and all of the experiences and opportunities I gained enriched my life.

Q: What was your wedding reception like? Did you give guests a wedding favor? What kind of food and drink was served? Did you have music or other entertainment? What motivated you at first to have a DIY wedding?

We had our wedding at The Slowdown in North Downtown Omaha in 2008. No favors. I really hate wedding favors. I think they’re tacky. Sorry, I’m a jerk! We cut the cake on stage immediately after we were pronounced husband and wife. Then as it was distributed to guests, we did toasts. Our first dance was to Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue. Vegan food, lots of booze, pizza delivered at midnight. No live band or dj—we just made a playlist of our favorite songs and brought a computer to hook up to the sound system.

Everything else was DIY, but I was never like “OH I WANT IT TO BE DIY.” I’m really not a “do-it-yourself person.” I would have loved to pay someone to do all of the work. I just didn’t see anyone doing what I wanted, so I did it myself. We saved money by staying low-maintenance.

Q: Are you planning to have any more children?

Yes! It’s so hard to know when to take the plunge with number two.

Q: How do you get Alice to giggle/laugh so sweetly when you take her photos (especially the ones wear she’s on the rug). Is she just a naturally giggly baby?

She LOVES to have her picture taken. I usually do something before taking her picture to make her laugh too–giving her a little tickle, making a funny face, or singing a song.

Q: Would you ever consider writing a book about your experience with Alice thus far? I love your approach to pregnancy, birthing, postpartum body and fashion, working mom, and your general overview of parenting.

I would love to write a book about being Alice’s mom. I’ve never been a “mommy blog” fan so I try not to turn this into one, but if people would read a book about my experience I would write it if the opportunity presented itself!

Q: Finish this sentence: If I knew then, what I know now:

If I knew then what I know now, I would sleep better at night knowing it all turns out okay.

Next edition: Questions for Mr. Lasertron. Fire away–I can use a few more for him to answer.
xo

Dear Princess Lasertron:

I have been reading your blog for a few years and I love the look into your life that you share with your readers. I know that you love party planning, needlework, your community, stuff like that–but outside of work and your daughter, what are you into?

-Rochelle

1. Amateur Radio

It’s a little-known fact that radio was my obsession before I started my business. I started in journalism in high school (and won state twice with my staff, and once as a feature writer!) and then worked for my local newspaper, and then that interest evolved into news radio where I found a real passion. I did radio in college and worked for a popular local news radio station, and I wanted to become a producer before my business took off.

Though it takes the back seat now to my work–today’s passion–my hobby is still radio and I am steadily studying for my technician license. I fantasize about setting up a shack in my house and building an antenna, and someday I would like to have a career in radio still.

2. …and Art Bell

My two biggest inspirations in radio have been the late-night shows Nightcaps and Coast to Coast AM. I am not the tattooing type, but if I ever had to get ink it would be Art’s call-in lines for Coast from the 1990s. I got in trouble when I was little for listening to Coast late into the night–sometimes until 3 or 4am–but I think it was an amazing influence on my imagination and curiosity. I’ve been listening now for 17 years. (I can’t believe that.)

3. Sunglasses

I’m not a purse person or a shoe person. I have dozens of sunglasses though–they are my weakness. They always look good and are such an easy way to set the mood of an outfit. Glamorous? Retro-inspired? Youthful?

4. Trolling Forums

My husband and I sort of fell in love over forum trolling and I spent many entertaining hours in high school changing the facts on Wikipedia pages. I don’t make time anymore to develop stories or characters or invest in really derailing topics, but I still get a rise out of saying something lulzy or untrue on Facebook or in message boards and seeing who will rise to take the bait. If you don’t fall for the joke, you get to be in on it.

5. Going out to eat with friends

I don’t cook anything well and I like to work through meals, so nothing makes me happier than going out to one of my favorite restaurants with a friend in tow. My coworking space started by going out to eat to work constantly with friends. My employees and I go out all the time to talk about our ideas and progress. And when Alice comes along? Well, she just loves being seen.

6. Reality TV

If someone is getting voted off, thrown under the bus, or having their wig yanked off, it is on my DVR.

7. Collecting dishes

When I got married I took the opportunity to register for all of the dishes I loved most. Almost all of my dishes are by Rosanna Bowles, who I got to meet a few years ago at Country Living’s Women Entrepreneurship conference. I tried to be cool but I was totally freaking out.

8. Industrial Dance music

My husband introduced me to gothic/industrial dance music, much of which originates in Germany. I started listening to translate the lyrics for him and got kind of hooked. I am a secret goth.

9. Libertarianism and Austrian Economics

I don’t talk a lot about politics online because I think it is too divisive and internet arguments never change anyone’s mind. But a big aspect of my “real life” is advocating Libertarian viewpoints and the problems with centrally planned economies.

10. Traveling

I used to go to a handful of places each year, but most of my non-business-related travel is on hold right now through Alice’s babyhood. I have a travel savings account that I am loading up for when she is four or five years old and old enough to appreciate–and remember–our trips together. I love to be continually reminded that I am a citizen of the world, and it’s important to us that Alice learn to respect other cultures and experience life through the lens of others who share this earth with us. …And I always say that’s why I love Omaha so much–because it is a great place to come home to.

Feel free to ask me anything on Formspring, or my e-mail is always open!
xo

Q: Have you ever closed the door on an opportunity or a relationship in order to open another door, only to realize you made the wrong choice?
A: I always end up happy, so I think my choices have been okay. You never know what could have been–that is the price you pay to live.

Q: Speaking as someone who had a very complicated wedding day (the bodice of my dress collapsed on the altar) how do you look back at your wedding day now? Anything you’d change?
A: That sounds like a real nightmare–and I don’t get driven to wedding-related sympathy easily! I remember my wedding fondly but I wish I had gotten a chance to eat. The venue was super crowded and I never got a chance to make my way to the vegan buffet! Generally it was a great day and very representative of our “normal.” It isn’t normal for us to get a limo or have a spa day or create a seating chart or have equal numbers of male and female friends. I just wanted to have a party, not “do a wedding.”

Q: Is your plan to be a big fashion icon in Omaha? Or do you goal to move to a bigger fashion capital when you can?
A: I don’t consider myself a fashion icon in Omaha and it’s not in my plans. My ultimate goal is to use my gifts–entrepreneurship, creativity, communication, persistence, diligence–to bring ideas and resources to help the people in my city. I love to travel, I would go crazy if I couldn’t experience other amazing cultures around the world, but I love Omaha. My heart belongs to Omaha.

Q: When did you guys get Turbo?
A: We got Turbo in 2007! I can’t believe it’s been that long already. He still feels like our new pet.

Q: What kinda things do you like to snack on?
A: Potato chips, apple slices, crackers with cheese, hummus and pita, grapes. I honestly don’t snack much because I am too busy. I like meals. However, my mom always is baking and when I visit my parents (a few times each week), I can’t help but graze on whatever goodies are sitting on the counter!

Q: I’ve had bad hosting experiences. how can I get over them? once someone scratched my leather sofa (by accident). another time chips and chocolate got all over the carpet. People kept stepping on it and it took forever for me to clean it up.
A: I admit that I have a mental list of acquaintances who I am not likely to invite to a party in my house unless I’m moving furniture out of the way and expecting a mess. Only invite people in who respect your home. If they can’t do that, party outside.

Q: Hi, what program do you use to make graphic designs? Did you design the layout for your Princess Lasertron site?
A: No! I am not a graphic designer. All of my graphics and layouts are done by my bff Eric Downs, owner of Downs Design.

Q: How did you chose Alice’s first and middle name?
A: Alice Elfie. It came to me suddenly in the car on the way to a Labor Day party. When I was little I went through a phase when I only wanted to be called Alice and I told everyone my name was Alice. Elfie is a nickname for “Elfriede,” a common German name I first heard when I was in Berlin for school. It was equally important to me to have a name that sounded good and looked good on paper, and Alice Elfie works for me.

Q: How on earth do you go about organizing all your paperwork and important stuff like that?
A: I have a drawer for receipts that I organize after it gets full, a drawer for legal paperwork and contracts, a file with spaces for each months’ weddings and a file with spaces for invoice receipts from the orders that go out each month. Invitations are immediately put into my planner (I only use a pen-and-paper one). My assistant Shannon is the one who really makes most of it “work.” I have to keep it organized though because the thought of accidentally forgetting a customer haunts me.

xo

meg

How did you get here? I make things that I love, are well made, and are unique in the market – and other people love! But no matter how much work I do I can’t get the following/sales I need to make my work successful. Is there something I’m missing?
~Anonymous

________________________________________________________

Dear Anonymous:

Having a “plateau” of productivity or success is really frustrating and we all have them, whether its in our professional ventures or our personal lives. I feel for you and I would love to share with you some lessons I have learned.

1. Ask for help and do your due diligence.

First, do some research by talking to other professionals and experts in your field whose work you admire–both online and in person! What are their goals in their businesses? What are they doing to reach them? Do they make business plans, do they strategize? Who are their mentors and influencers?

I will tell you that I set one huge pie-in-the-sky goal each year. Last year my goal was to start a line of dresses, which came to fruition just last month after 18 months of work and planning. This year my goal was to start a coworking space to offer a common workspace for local entrepreneurs and creators, which we launched as CAMP. My goal for next year is to write a book showing brides how to plan their weddings with a “party planning” mentality, taking the cultural pressure out of what should be the most joyful day of their lives. I have a whole book full of goals and project ideas that I read often to remind myself about the direction I want to be steering my business in, while remaining open to opportunities that present themselves along the way.

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Website for the dress line which hearkens back to many established aspects of the PL brand

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I never wrote a business plan when I started my business. Most people don’t remember that in my first year doing Princess Lasertron I created everything from ring bearer pillows to “just married” banners for cars to stuffed animals and necklaces–it was chaos! While it was fun dabbling in all of those little projects, I would never advise someone now to forge ahead in business without seriously considering the financing, growth, and long-term goals of their project. What if you are running behind? What if you need to hire an employee? What if you lose touch with your friends because of your business commitments? What amount of return do you want? How do you make up for your shortcomings? What if you are left with no time for your own personal development?

It’s easy for us to be fixated on the FUN of being our own bosses that we overlook the more mundane but important details that will make our businesses successful. That was one of my errors and I think that if I had taken the time to consider these points more carefully, I could be much further ahead than I am now.

In any case, ask yourself what your goal is when it comes to sharing your passion with the world. Do you want to teach? Then start a blog, record some videos, and share them with the world! Or put some kits together and give others the opportunity to learn from your experience! YOU are the expert at your craft, and your confidence should communicate that.

2. Deliver a “whole package” by focusing on branding.

Another way to communicate to your adoring public that you are an expert in your industry and a formidable businessperson is to invest in making your branding consistent and tight. There is some controversy about the concept of “personal branding” because people don’t want to impersonalize the significance of their encounters and relationships and experiences by slapping a marketing term on it, but for lack of a better phrase I’m going to use it.

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A tv interview during Omaha Fashion Week

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Brands evoke cherished emotions–when you remember them, you relive positive experiences. In that sense, branding principles can be applied to almost anything–not only your business, but your blog, your packaging, your summer vacation, your office, your fashion sense. More things affect your business than just your interactions with customers–everything you do is a chance to make an impression on someone you will develop a relationship with, from the way you dress, the way you treat waiters, the events you attend, the attitude you exude. And when you are dealing with customers, you can take your best self and give them a little something extra, as a way to say “Thanks for supporting me and believing in my dream!” For example, going the extra mile with your packaging tells your customer, “I care about you, you deserve to get something really beautiful and exciting in the mail.”

Your brand is not just how you interact with customers. It’s the “whole package,” an experience that people have every time they interact with you.

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The whole package

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3. Show some vulnerability.

With that said, sometimes when your personality is so closely tied to your brand, it’s hard to decide what belongs in your personal life and what should be shared with your readers and customers. It’s important to maintain a professional image but taking a risk and sharing some of your struggles–whether they are personal or business-related–helps people identify with you and build trust. Just reveal who you are and people will want to know you. Don’t do it to gain customers or attention or sympathy–just show your readers and followers that you are a real person. They will care.

4. Ask your customers!

Every year I do a “reader survey” designed to collect feedback from my loyal customers about what they like and dislike about my posts, my products, what they’d like to see more of, and to open myself up to any questions they have. Besides getting tons of great information from people who already like you, you will get ideas for ways to engage new customers. It’s also a great way to share some vulnerability by showing readers that you value their opinions and need their feedback to improve your business. If you don’t have a blog, you can do things like this through twitter, or just by sitting down for a heart-to-heart with some of your trusted friends.

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Boxed corsages!

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5. Use local resources

Investing time in meeting other people in your city is just as valuable as the time you invest in your business, especially if you have found that you are hitting a wall with your business growth. When you reach a point where you are working harder and harder in your own studio but not seeing results, go somewhere else! Literally! Log on to your computer, get on Facebook, Twitter, Meetup.com, local networking websites (such as your chamber of commerce), and use them to open a channel between you and your community. Where do cool, creative, inspiring people spend time? Do they attend events or meetups? When you find out, leave your house and go there! Not to pitch your business to them, not to figure out what they can do for you, but just to make new connections with people who have something new to teach you. You will be shocked by what you learn by engaging at that level of interaction.

Also, check out your library. My favorite books about business are “The Martha Rules” by Martha Stewart, and “The E-Myth” by Michael E. Gerber. For marketing inspiration, a great book is Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, and Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crush It. All of these books were greatly inspirational to me at times when I didn’t know where to go next. And hey, someone else might notice what you are reading and strike up a conversation. I would!

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I believe that to expand your business, you have to increase the impact you have in each customer’s life beyond each initial sales transaction. You have to make people care about your success because they care about you as a person. Every strong, confident person from entrepreneurs to teachers to parents to bus drivers to world travelers–all of us who feel successful and self-satisfied–owe our happiness to the relationships we have cultivated with those around us who have helped lift us up and support us through our achievements and challenges.

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With Eric Downs, one of my dearest friends and greatest supporters

________________________________________________________

Sure, maybe there is a fair amount of luck involved when it comes to finding success with a new business venture. But as they say, luck is where preparation meets opportunity. I believe that if you are doing everything you can do, the opportunities will come through those relationships. I have been doing Princess Lasertron full-time since 2005 now, and none of this happened overnight. If it’s only been a year or so and you are feeling burned out and disappointed with the lack of return, entrepreneurship may not be for you, or you may need to re-evaluate those “big picture” goals I mentioned. Are you a teacher or a salesperson? A technician or a manager? There is no harm in taking a step back and slowing down for a while.

No matter what you decide to do–speed up with the marketing efforts or slow down with the business plan, keep moving forward! Keep learning about your craft, your passions, and stay active in your community. You can never go wrong there.

xo
meg

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What say you, readers? What is your best advice for someone who has hit a wall or is feeling growth slowing, whether professionally or personally?

Q: You do a lot of speaking engagements! Are you ever nervous?

A: I’m always nervous!! I always tell my friend Eric before an event, “I’m so nervous! I’m so nervous!” whether it’s an event where I’m speaking alone, speaking with someone, or on a panel, or even if it’s just a conference or a business-related social event. I wouldn’t say that I have social anxiety–I have been a pretty good talker throughout my whole life–but rather anxiety about sounding authoritative and respectable about my industry. Like, “Will people believe me?” “Will they take me seriously?”

I feel a lot of pressure sometimes to be some kind of business leader. I feel like I’m a great worker and achiever, I know that I’m not a follower, but I don’t want to be a leader either–I just like working alone, almost in a vacuum. I like accomplishing a task and moving onto the next one. It feels great to get credit but it always feels hard to talk about my work–whether it’s Princess Lasertron, CAMP, or other ideas I have for the future–or explain it to others. Sometimes I secretly wish I had a magical body double who could just explain everything for me, and speak for me, so I could just move on to the next thing.

Q: I know you’re very goal-driven and always full of ideas. So what’s next?

A: What a question. Tomorrow I want to take my camera to get repaired, do errands at Target, sew a dozen felt notebook covers for Christmas orders, upload a bunch of things to my store, and go out to lunch. This year I want to sell 100 dresses (and give one away!), finish my book proposal, and launch an online magazine. In the next five years I want to start a local K-3 charter school that applies the coworking concept to co-learning. I want to use experts in our community to teach kids about their passions, from photography to design to wildlife to writing stories, anything. I feel like this is what I want to ultimately create in my community, what I hope will grow into something much bigger over time. What I want to be my legacy.

Q: I think Alice is so cute! Do you think she looks like you more or Dave? And has she grown enough hair for you to tell what color it is?

A: I think she looks just like Dave–I don’t really see myself at all, except maybe in her face shape. Dave has an oval-shaped face and mine is more round, like Alice’s, but all of her facial features are just like his. I still can’t tell what her hair color is! She has no hair! I suspect blonde like mine, or maybe red.

Q: What motivates you as you choose your priorities, make decisions, etc?

A: Right now my most of my business decisions and spending choices hinge on the question of whether they help or hinder my goals. The “what’s next” list that I ran through up above. Any local notoriety I gain now can possibly be parlayed into support for the events I plan and school I eventually want to realize. Any publicity I can drum up can mean more money, which means more capital for my projects (and applesauce for Alice’s tummy), and more likelihood that I can eventually write that book and found that school.

Q: I’m in high school trying to figure out what I want to do when I graduate. How have you “changed” since you graduated high school/college/got married/reached adulthood? What has stayed the same?

A: When I was in high school I thought I would never change, and I never wanted to because I liked being cynical, sarcastic, a little smart-assy. I felt like I represented my ideal version of myself–formidable, assertive, independent. But oh I have changed so much, even in the last year. I am more empathetic to others’ pain. I think I am nicer, less selfish, and more sensitive to the complexity of other people’s lives, which informs why they act the way they do. I’ve learned that it’s okay to admit that you’ve changed your mind. Becoming a parent changed a lot about my worldview, but don’t rush into that or anything. I also appreciate education MUCH more than I did when I was in school.

What has stayed the same. I’m just as emotionally intense. I have just as much existential anxiety. I think I’m still funny, and I still appreciate the same type of humor. I like the same music (plus more). My friendships have grown deeper.

Q: What are five things that make you SOOOOO happy? What’s your “instant happy?”

A: 1. New blog posts on Tom & Lorenzo. 2. My husband surprising me with pancakes made into shapes. 3. Yanking the end of a roll of ribbon on a spool. I order the FATTEST four-inch double-faced satin ribbon and take great pleasure in every length I cut from it. 4. Alice’s first smile every morning when she sees me. 5. Browsing design inspiration on FFFOUND! 6. One more for good measure–when one of my coworkers brings me a muffin from the coffee shop.

xo
meg

And this is what’s in it.

A changing pad and wet bag.
Wipes. (I like the Target brand. We use them for everything.)
A sweater for mama. (This one is  by Moth.)
A sweater for Alice.  (This one is from Baby Gap.)
Mama’s sunglasses, lipstick, lip balm, and mini pefume. (Betsey Johnson, Make Up Forever Rouge Artist #40, Oiseau vanilla, and Lolita Lempicka.)

Extra socks for Alice. (Trumpette)
Leg warmers.
A rattle. (Made by Peter Cales.)
A teething ring.
Two disposable diapers.
A fresh diaper cover and three extra cloth diapers.
A washcloth for drool.
And a pretty blanket.

Q: Are you in charge of designing, cutting, making, and fitting the dresses? Or are you mainly in charge of the design? How and when did you decide to create a line? Did it stem off from your flower bouquets?

A: No, I don’t do all of that myself! There’s no way I could manage this business without help. I first met designer Joi Mahon, owner of Dress Forms Design, three years ago when I began looking for someone to help me create my wedding dress. We developed a great collaborative relationship and I came to her when I knew I wanted to start a dress line for advice and help. She has the team and resources to create hundreds of dresses that will be the foundation for the detail work and embellishment on our end at Princess Lasertron.

After the dresses are fabricated at Dress Forms, they come to me and my assistant helps me finish them. Embroidery, flowers (we have a totally new technique that I can’t wait to share), seam binding, screen printing, etc. is done in our studio, as well as simple alterations. My hope is that in the next six months I can hire another assistant to work with us on these collections.

For customers, to keep the costs low, you will be able to purchase a dress from our size chart and have it tailored on your end if you choose to do so–just as if you were buying a dress from j. crew, anthropologie, or any other ready-to-wear shop.

Starting a collection of wedding and party dresses seemed like a natural progression at that point in my business growth. Not everyone wants a felt bouquet, but everyone likes a pretty dress.

Q: How’s CAMP been? Do most people come in at night to work?

A: Not many people drop after 6pm, but our month-to-month keyholding tenants often stay very late into the night. Most nights of the week, someone (usually me) is there as late as 2 or 3am. Tenants who sign a monthly agreement receive a key and 24/7 access so there is almost always someone hanging out. Right now we have seven keyholders and four visitors who have purchased punch cards.

Q: Where do you get most of your fabrics from?

A: I get all of my felt and wool from Wool Felt Central at a store called Prairie Point Junction which is based here in Nebraska. I also have lots of yardage from little shops here and there that I come across, but the majority of it is from those two places.

Q: Is your clothing line just for adults? Or will there be children’s dresses?

A: There are 10 pieces for women and one child’s option that I designed as a flower girl dress. It’s cotton twill so it could really be used for any occasion though.

Q: What did Alice win in the baby show? for being the cutest and smartest baby?

A: hahahaha yes, she won CAMP Omaha’s first annual child pageant. fortunately for everyone’s sanity she’s the only baby tenant so it was kind of no contest.

Q: How does your baby put herself to sleep? you just lay her down in her crib and that’s it?

A: Three things are important to get her to sleep by herself: Obviously, she has to be fed and have clean pants. There has to be some kind of physical connection before she nods off. And she has to be near me.

Normally I feed her, change her, and do all that, and then I sit on the couch and lay her next to me so she’s kind of curled up against my legs. She nods off within a few minutes and I leave her there for an hour or so, then take her upstairs to her bassinet (she still sleeps in our room). It also helps her to have the t.v. on or some kind of noise. This week she has liked it when I massage her legs and arms and feet as she falls asleep.

I started this routine so I could work on my computer at night and still be able to see her–she used to suck my finger or nurse to sleep. But after a few weeks I just put her next to me and she started falling asleep next to me on her own. She has also started to roll around in her sleep and likes to end up laying on her side.

So it’s not like I put her in her crib wide awake and leave the room and come back to find her asleep. I am just trying to gradually teach her that she can trust me and it’s safe to nod off without being rocked or nursed. I’m still there if she wakes up, and she looks at me and then relaxes back to sleep again.

Q: What is the hardest thing, for you, about being a mom? (from Grizzlebee)

A: That I’m so busy with work that, when added to my responsibilities as a mom, I don’t have free time anymore. I just want to go shopping or to a movie. Alice is with me all day at work so I don’t miss her–I just miss being alone.

Q: What would you tell your 12-year-old self if you had the chance?

A: It will get much worse before it gets better. You have awesome self-confidence and self-awareness that you don’t even know yet. You are a hard worker. And try to be more approachable in high school so we can have some friends.