365 days ago I enrolled myself in the best business class I have taken to date. No I’m not talking about Bus 250 or Mktg 372, I’m talking about Moodz & Vibez 101.
Last spring break my sister and I started Moodz & Vibez Designs, a custom accessories company. We started with one product, beaded chokers, and have since expanded to include buttons, earrings, fanny packs and key chains. Our first ever t-shirt will go live this week (get excited!!). We started a rep program this semester, the Good Vibez Girl Squad, and have the honor of working with 8 girly pops around the country to spread good vibez far and wide.
To say that I am thankful for the past year is an understatement. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself running my own business at the age of 19, let alone a successful business. I may not be a millionaire or on Forbes 30 Under 30 list (YET, I still have 10 more years of eligibility), but I have never felt more successful than I do when I look at Moodz & Vibez Designs.
You can sit in a lecture hall and listen to an old professor talk about management styles and marketing concepts all day and it won’t teach you half of what starting your own business will teach you overnight. Don’t get me wrong, business school is important and I have every intention of graduating in two years with honors and my Bachelors in Marketing with minors in Management Information Systems and Digital Media Studies (trying say that 3 times fast). But I also know that there are some lessons my textbook just can’t teach me. Here are 3 lessons Moodz & Vibez Designs has taught me in my first year as a real life businesswoman.
Lesson #1: Sometimes you have to fail
I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to give up over the past year. I am a perfectionist and set the bar unreasonably high for myself for everything I do. When I didn’t get my first random sale in the first 24 hours, I decided I was doomed. And then even after our customer base started to grow, I thought that not having a sale once a week was a sign from the universe that I needed to shut it down. Just last week I had a meltdown over an order going out late and cried in my kitchen because I thought I wasn’t cut out to be a businesswoman. But here we are, the world is still turning and Moodz & Vibez Designs is still open. Moral of the story is that failing always makes you better. I certainly haven’t perfected anything, BUT I am starting to focus on what my next step is instead of where the nearest emergency exit is.
Lesson #2: Confidence is key
I am not gonna lie, I didn’t broadcast to the world that I had started my own business for the longest time. Why, you may ask: please see lesson #1. I didn’t want anyone to watch me fail because who wants to be known as the business student who didn’t know how to business. I have since learned that the only way for your business to succeed is to stand behind it and show it off. Having confidence in yourself and in your brand is the best foundation for success (well that and having solid customer relations).
Lesson #3: Dreams do come true
Ok so that dream about marrying Harry Styles and riding off into the sunset on a unicorn, probably not achievable. But wanting to be a world renowned surgeon, a Supreme Court justice or a billionaire businesswoman: all very obtainable. Imagine what would happen if we weren’t afraid to chase after our dreams, we’d probably all be a lot happier. And I know that it can be discouraging at times (seriously see #1 and #2), but I also know all of us have the power to change the world. So put on your best power outfit and get on out there girl.
Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and Cait since day one, we wouldn’t be where we are without you. I hope that this is just the first of many years of crazy business plans and outrageously fun photo shoots. I don’t know where Moodz & Vibez Designs will be in a year, but I can’t wait to see how we grow. Remember to keep expressing yourself and never doubt your ability to be extraordinary.