Planning to Pivot: A Review of Our 2023 Goals and How We’re Doing So Far

The episode:

Our season 2 finale is here! In the first episode of this season we walked you through some of the lessons learned in the year prior and gave a sneak peak into some of our plans for 2023. Well, we’re 3.5 months into the new year and we thought there’d be no better time to pull back the curtain and give an overview of our 2023 plan: how it started, what we’ve changed already, and how we’re pacing against our goals so far.

We also talk about:

• The importance of building savings (when you can) to allow yourself flexibility and optionality to try more things

• Why we didn’t back plan from our goals in 2022 and why we absolutely did in 2023

• Why there are only lessons to be learned and never failures (ie: why we needed to make the mistakes we did)

• Ways to diversify your revenue streams and how to plan your monetary goals around those revenue channels

• The best time to plan your annual goals

• The humbleness of biting off more than you can chew

• How time is a more valuable resource than many think

• Critical goals vs. nice to have goals

• How to prioritize your projects and make hard decisions on which to devote your time to and which ones aren’t going to move the needle

• Why it's important to have contingency plans to lower risk when possible

Keep listening:

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.

• Finding Confidence Through Comfort with Lennon Dobben-Annis

• Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business

• The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach

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www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

Finding Confidence Through Comfort with Lennon Dobben-Annis

The Interview

In this episode of Willow Talk, we talked with Lennon Dobben-Annis, the owner and creator behind Lemmon by Lennon. Join us for this conversation and learn about Lennon’s mission to help women find confidence through comfort by creating custom swimwear and resort wear that can have a meaningful impact on the way someone feels in their own skin.

We Also Talk About

• Every creative’s famous last words, “I’ll make it myself.”

• How Lennon’s mom and grandmothers influenced her love of sewing and creating.

• The influence working at Cinnamon Rainbow Surf Co. and living in Hawaii had on Lennon’s swimwear journey.

• The importance of asking for help.

• Lennon’s desire to help women find confidence through comfort and making pieces that can have a meaningful impact on the way someone feels in their own skin.

• The accessibility (or lack thereof) of swimwear in the current market and how Lennon is working to make the industry more inclusive of all body types. 

• The inherent vulnerability of swimwear for most people and how Lennon works within those conversations to make her customers feel safe, comfortable and seen. 

• The role her soccer team played in the growth of Lemmon by Lennon.

• The inconsistency of sizing across the fashion industry and why Lennon creates custom pieces made to order.

• Why, even though customs may not be the “smartest” business decision by capitalistic standards, they are crucial to Lennon from a mission standpoint.

• Lennon’s desire to bridge the gap between accessible swimwear and sustainable swimwear - something that is often out of reach for many at the moment.

• Society’s obsession with fast fashion and the impact it has on the planet.

• Lennon’s goals for the future of Lemmon by Lennon.

• The moment you shift your business from “mastering your craft” to “growth”.

• Having grace with yourself when you just don’t want to work on your business somedays. 

• Why owning your own business is consuming and how to address the inevitable crossroads you’ll have to move past throughout your journey.  

Where to Find Lennon 

• Instagram: @lemmonbylennon

• www.lemmonbylennon.com

Other Mentions

• Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co.

• wave bait

Keep Listening

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.

• Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business

• The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach

• Priceless Individuality with Nanette Pengelley

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram

www.thehouseofwillows.com

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

Getting Comfortable Making Uncomfortable Choices

The Episode:

In this episode of Willow Talk, we talk about getting comfortable making uncomfortable choices, why you need to let go to do more, and - of course - the value of your time and the role it plays in moving yourself and your business forward.

We Also Talk About:

• Emma’s exciting new business venture!!
• Why we’ve decided to figure everything out as we go along
• How to accept the chaos in your life
• Why no one can avoid risks when starting a business - that leap of faith is inevitable
• The importance of pushing yourself when you feel scared
• Allie’s fear of the New York City subway system
• The definition of failure and how that’s changed for us over time
• Experimentation and its role within failure
• How to make certain choices when you feel you’re at a crossroads
• The value of your time and where to shift your focuses
• Protect your time - find the space to move yourself forward
• Hard work is unavoidable but hustle culture sucks

Keep Listening.

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.

• Creating Connection Through Our Art with Becca Lane
• Relying on Self Trust with Rose Koerner
• Finding the Power to Make Your Own Choices with Kelly Stück

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/willow-talk/support

The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach

The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach

listen now on Spotify & Apple Music

The Interview:

In this episode of Willow Talk, we talked with Boston based photographer JM Leach about the moment he first picked up a camera, how he’s explored various photography styles over the years, and how he’s adjusted his goals with photography to adapt to life as a new dad.

We Also Talk About:

• His love of street photography and the trip that first inspired him in this area
• The beauty of capturing raw moments
• Life as a new parent and how JM and his partner Alex are balancing that with their creative goals
• How JM and Emma first bonded over their love of photography
• How his photography style has evolved over time
• The various photo styles he now works in - street, hospitality, brand, wedding etc.
• JM’s big billboard break
• Tips for getting out of creative slumps
• The grind of getting a full time business off the ground when you’re in start up mode
• The importance of strong communication skills with your partner, clients and collaborators
• How JM’s perception and value of time has changed since becoming a parent
• The power of community and the abundance of creative minds to connect with in this world
• The difference between film and digital and an appreciation for both skill sets
• Why you need to stay firm in your pricing
• The power of saying no

Where to Find JM.

• Instagram: @jmleachdotworld
• Instagram: @aguadejota
• www.aguadejota.com

Keep Listening.

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.

• Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business
• Creating Connection Through Our Art with Becca Lane

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/willow-talk/support

Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business

The Interview:

In this episode of Willow Talk, we chat through the difference between working ‘on’ your business versus working ‘in’ your business, why you need to carve out time for both, and ways to stop yourself from spending too much time on one over the other.

We Also Talk About:

• Growth strategy and implementation
• Giving yourself the space to grow
• What it means to set goals and how to keep yourself accountable
• The roles systems play in working on our businesses
• Why short term losses can lead to long term gains
• How to decide which goals are right for you
• Ways to keep you moving forward with your growth goals and avoid being stagnant
• Why you need to trust your gut
• Tips for time management
• Why you need to be able to give yourself a break when your heads just not in it
• Ways to set yourself up for success
• Why success is sometimes seasonal

Other Mentions.

• Honeybook
• Asana

Keep Listening.

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.

• Creating Connection Through Our Art with Becca Lane
• Redefining Time Management and Productivity as Creatives
• Marketing 101: An Intro to Growing Your Art Business

Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/willow-talk/support