STBL Strategies and the Entrepreneurial Journey
We are now three months into this journey, with the cornerstones firmly in place. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Time management seems to be the hardest part so far. There is so much to do, what is the right next step? Yesterday was full or the right things and also some of the hard things. In the early phases of a start-up, time moves faster than revenue, but I remain an eternal optimist.
Yesterday morning was a particularly rewarding moment filled with collaboration and purpose. I recorded our first podcast with a wonderful former teammate who is thoughtful, smart, and a joy to work with. She successfully led my previous team through a thorough ESG recertification process. We had a genuine conversation about bringing sustainability and marketing into the future.
There have been moments when I've considered shifting focus away from sustainability to pursue the clientele I previously served. I briefly doubted my path after losing a bid to a lower-cost online vendor for a former client. However, I reminded myself we are not the right fit for everyone. We seek relationships built on communication and shared values. I aim to drive actual results with quality products, not “junk” or “freebie crap.” I still value that client’s mission in our community, and perhaps we’ll find a better fit in the future. For a moment, it was disheartening.
Later that day, I had a late meeting with a sustainability expert from the hospitality industry who recently launched her venture. The conversation was invigorating. She has made significant strides in sustainability in her previous roles and is now working with a major educational institution to innovate in design and sustainability. We both embark on new journeys and share an incredible sense of peace, optimism, and faith. She will be a guest on our podcast in late June.
Shortly after those moments of doubt, I felt clarity about the wisdom of sticking to the values that inspired this leap. We will celebrate the launch of our podcast series in June with a local ribbon cutting, continuing to build awareness that effective marketing can coexist with sustainable, quality, and affordable products.
Inspired by good people, I came across a letter written by entrepreneurs Kate Ross and Amy McCulloch of eight&four Group at the 10-year mark of their business. Their reflections resonate with the values I aspire to embody in our organization. You can read their insightful post on LinkedIn. The values they describe include:
- Values First
- Be Humble
- Hold On (Have Grit)
- Enjoy It
These are the values we will start with and continue with as long as I am blessed to be on this path. Join my journey on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.
