l o n g break, i know. But back with a bang with this amazing interview with Megan Birkel, owner of Willow Crowns! Hair accessory companies are my most favorite to interview, because I can resonate with so much of the story. Megan was a joy to interview – her friendliness and sweetness show Texas has rubbed off on her – and she runs an incredibly efficient and professional handmade business. I hope you enjoy!
Like always, you can #pressplay on the Skype video interview below and listen while you work away, and read her written Q&A’s below!
Hi everyone! I’m Megan, former Mainer and current Texan, living life with my feisty two year old and my high school sweetheart. Willow Crowns is like my second baby and I’m really excited and proud to share more about it with you!
What did you do before Willow Crowns? How did you decide to start your own business?
I worked as a nutritionist before becoming a stay home mom, but decided to start Willow Crowns when my daughter was 10 months old. I wanted to do something that could be an outlet for my creativity and provide a little something that was “mine”.
Can you give us a brief history of Willow Crowns? How long have you been in business? What has your growth looked like? Can you tell us a story of some of the “unglamorous” moments just starting up?
We’ve been in business for about 18 months and the past six months has been our biggest (and most exciting!) period of growth yet. Looking back at my original products/photography/marketing efforts it’s a little embarrassing but I’m proud that we’ve come so far in such a short time! Once I found what I really loved (lace headbands, especially for grown up ladies!), things really took off.
I’m Like Brave is about creating an uncommon life. What does an “uncommon life” you love look like for you? How does your business help create this ideal lifestyle?
Our life is certainly pretty uncommon these days! I work from home while being a stay home mom, which isn’t always an easy thing to balance, but I love it. I get to stay home with my little one while being able to contribute to our family in a different way. I also like that Willow Crowns gives my daughter the opportunity to watch me do something I love and am good at. I hope it sets an example for her to pursue her goals and that as she watches my successes (and failures) she’ll get to experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. I also work with my best friend (remotely) and think that’s pretty uncommon too, I think!
Where did you find your mentors, or resources to help learn about entrepreneurship and running a successful business?
The online handmade community is absolutely amazing and I’ve been so grateful that other more established businesses have been so willing to speak to me when I’ve reached out with questions. My husband is also a wonderful mentor on the business side, giving me advice on everything from pricing our products to doing our taxes!
Can you tell a story about the biggest business “lesson” you have learned so far?
How many people do you employ? What does the infrastructure of your business look like? Any advice on when or how to hire or outsource?
How many hours per week do you work? How do you balance family life with work?
If you were to teach a college course on entrepreneurship, what would the course be titled? What is one lesson you would teach us?
What has been the most exciting thing to happen to your business so far? How did it happen?
What is your ultimate vision for your business in the coming year? Where do you see Willow Crowns in 5 years?
This year I’d like to see us move into more retail establishments and increase our number of wholesale agreements. In five years I hope we’ll still be going strong, have doubled (at least) our team, and be the go-to business for gorgeous lace headbands.
What’s holding you back from where you are now and your ultimate goals?
Time is the limiting factor at this point. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all by myself, which is why hiring more people in the near future will be a game changer!
What is it that you need help with right now in order to take your business to the next level?
Help with production so we can sell even more items and continue to spread the word about Willow Crowns!
If you could sit down with any entrepreneur for a 2 hour lunch and pick their brain, who would it be and why? What would you ask them?
I think Lauren Conrad would be fascinating to talk to from an entrepreneurial standpoint. She has her name on so many different things – housewares, clothing, a lifestyle blog, and I’d be so interested to learn how she decides what projects to take on. I’d also want to ask her about hiring – her suggestions on how to hire people who will help grow your company the way you want.
What advice would you give your “just starting a business” self knowing everything you know now?
I know it’s sounding redundant now, but I’d tell myself to stay original and to be patient.
Jamie Tardy, podcaster at “The Eventual Millionaire” says millionaires share 2 habits: they all journal and they all have a morning ritual. What does your morning ritual ideally look like?
My morning ritual is a snuggle in bed with my daughter, getting my hands on something caffeinated, and then settling in to catch up on social media, emails, and orders – notepad nearby so I can jot down any thoughts that come to mind as I’m browsing. I’ll also text Stephanie around this time to share a funny story about Olivia, or touch base with her on our work plans for that day.
If you could do anything in the world, with no possibility of failure, what would it be?
I think I’d want to be the next Taylor Swift – no really! I think that must be so fun to stand up on a big stage and belt it out.
What’s been the best business book you’ve read?
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
What’s your favorite success quote and why?
Mark Cuban (I love Shark Tank!) said “work like there is someone working twenty-four hours a day to take it all away from you”. It really gets my mind right that every minute of the day is an opportunity to make this business better and that there isn’t any room for apathy. I’ve worked really hard to turn WC into something I’m proud of and if I stop working hard, that can all go away.
Closing thoughts to other entrepreneurs or those on the verge of starting a business:
