Quitting your full time job and investing everything into running your own business can be really scary, I know! That’s why I’m here to help you along your journey and tell you that it can be done successfully.

In this episode, I chat with Courtney Brewster who is one of my students inside the Modern Marketing Collective. Courtney has 10 years of experience across fashion retail and management, visual merchandising, managing a coworking space, and has studied across various creative disciplines. 

In her business, Tallulah and Zane, Courtney creates beautiful blooms using dried foliage and silk florals. She has had incredible success selling her amazing creations to a vast array of clients including; events, weddings and even the Member’s Suites at the Marvel Stadium for the AFL. 

We discuss her journey from beginning her business just over 1 year ago in lockdown to today when she is working full time in her company. She shares her insights, advice, and talks about the challenges she has faced throughout the process and how the Modern Marketing Collective has helped her successfully run her business. 

It can be challenging to work in a creative industry when you’re not feeling creative. We discuss practical methods to address these dips in creativity and how to take time off when you need it. 

I encourage you to listen to Courtney and then jump onto my FREE online workshop that addresses how to turn your own marketing into sales.

TOPICS DISCUSSED AND WHERE TO FIND THEM:

[02:11]: If you have a business and are stuck with growth, join me for my free Masterclass about why your marketing isn’t turning into sales. Click on Free Online Workshop – Emily Osmond.

[03:29]: We begin with Courtney explaining what she does, the company she owns and how she came to begin her company. 

[05:21]: Courtney shared the process of receiving her first order and how it began as a side hustle. 

[07:01]: Courtney discussed when she decided to join the Modern Marketing Collective and what she was looking for within the program. 

[07:45]: Courtney shares the most significant learning outcome from her marketing. 

[08:53]: Courtney discusses when she obtained her first wedding client and the AFL in the Marvel Stadium in the member’s suites. 

[10:52]: Launching her website was another big milestone that she accomplished independently. 

[11:46]: Key decisions that have impacted her business. Deciding that it is definitely something that she wanted to do and committing full time hours. 

[12:43]: A part time job really helped Courtney in her journey to investing herself in her business. It took the pressure off surrounding rent and bills. 

[13:30]: Courtney accredited her success to her determination and working incredibly hard in the early stages. 

[14:05]: It is going to be harder than you think, there is never going to be enough hours in the day so prioritising is the most important thing. You can also say no! 

[16:08]: Needing to register for GST is another big milestone and having her biggest month yet – June 2021 by holding an End of Financial Year Sale. 

[16:41]: Loneliness is the most difficult challenge in starting a new business. Courtney is a social person and struggles with this aspect. 

[17:53]: Friends and family are supportive but they don’t get it. Courtney used Instagram to find a network and supportive people who understand the challenges. 

[19:03]: Courtney shares how excited she is to be going through a rebrand. 

[20:15]: Infusing your brand with you and your personality is very clever and unique. 

[20:26]: Courtney shares how she wants to begin incorporating homewares from sustainable suppliers launching in August/September. 

[21:29]: I invite Courtney to ask me any questions regarding anything she is struggling with. I discuss time and scheduling with Courtney and the book ‘Soul Modes’ and how through different phases we are feeling very creative and then it dips. 

[24:15]: When you are in that really creative flow mode, write all the ideas down so when you are in a more administrative mode, you do not need to come up with creative ideas. 

[25:55]: Being in a creative industry, when you are not feeling creative there is a lot of pressure. Allow yourself to not be productive on some days and not feel any guilt. The creative energy will then come back. 

[27:22]: This demand for productivity in our society is filled with pressure. I discuss how a podcast I recorded with Meredith Gaston regarding gentle business methods would be very helpful to address this pressure. 

[28:43]: Make sure you make time for yourself. 

[29:04]: Courtney has learned so much through the Modern Marketing Collective and it has created a beautiful supportive community of women in business. Courtney accredits some of her success to the Modern Marketing Collective and the community it has created. 

[30:07]: You can support Courtney on her website and her Instagram page. 

[31:03]: Join me for my free Masterclass about why your marketing isn’t turning into sales. Click on Free Online Workshop – Emily Osmond.

LINKS:

• Website:              https://www.tallulahandzane.com.au/ 
• Instagram:               https://www.instagram.com/tallulahandzane/ 
• Soul Modes Book:  https://www.carliemaree.com/soulmodesbook/ 
• Podcast with Meredith Gaston: https://emilyosmond.com/the-gentle-approach-to-business-with-writer-artist-and-speaker-meredith-gaston/