On March 7th, Whitties had the amazing opportunity to chat with and listen to four local women discuss their experiences in the entrepreneurial world. Here is some background on each of the women and their advice for those wanting to start their own business.
Melissa Clubb, a first-generation Mexican American, was born and raised in Walla Walla. When she was 18 she had a son and began working at Sprint before she transitioned into banking, and then went back to school for her degree. Midway through her program she was trying to figure out what to do that would allow flexibility and working a typical 8-5 job didn’t work for her personal goals. She became a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker and is now transitioning to a new role as a brand manager at her family’s winery L’Ecole N° 41.
Marisol Becerra, born and raised in Walla Walla, went to fashion school in Portland before temporarily returning home. Her parents ran a farm that grew sweet onions, asparagus, and tomatoes along with starting the first Mexican store which they were ready to hand off to someone else. Marisol took over the store and decided later on that she didn’t enjoy the long hours year-round and so she began a seasonal produce stand. In 2018 her dad retired and split the family farm amongst his children, leaving Marisol with a sweet onion farm now called Memories at Martinez farm. Marisol is currently balancing her work in the CCEC with her work in the family business.
Holly Nelson is a first-generation college graduate from Whitman in 1996. Between Whitman and earning a PhD in psychology, she experimented with making paper. After working in academia as a professor she returned to papermaking right around the time when Etsy launched. She opened a storefront for fun then grew that into an independent seed paper business that offered a more financially rewarding and fulfilling life as the owner of Recycled Ideas Plantable Paper.
Clenesha (CT) Montgomery was living in Los Angeles on disability and struggling with her health when Walla Walla Valley was presented to her in a meditation. She moved to Walla Walla where she had better access to yoga, fresh eggs and meat, and a strong wellness community. Here she was able to focus on improving her wellness and started her business, Revamped Wellness, to give people the resources she needed but had not had to heal.
The following advice has been paraphrased from the panelists and are not direct quotes.
What can you do to transition from working for someone else and being your own boss?
CM: You should create a strategic plan to leave and start building your brand before you start your business which is made easier with access to social media. You should also start finding your target audience and doing the research before you slowly walk away from your current employment.
HN: You should have at least a year of living money saved up for you to have a cushion— especially if you don’t have family money to fall back on. Just as CT has said you need to have a plan and strategy, but you also need to have adaptability and willingness to be flexible with your plans. For Recycled Ideas, the COVID-19 pandemic happened during the busiest time in years and suddenly there was no more money coming in. This is where preparedness and flexibility come into play.
MB: More control over your work hours does not necessarily mean that these are better work hours, especially as you’re starting your business. Now as my business has become more established there is more flexibility to take time off and transition out of full-time employment.
MC: You must be able to look into the future and focus on that plan. It is important to remember that you’re your own brand and when you are transitioning your employment or leaving to focus on your own business you should make sure you can maintain those relationships or leave on excellent terms.
What was a failure or a time that was particularly challenging for you?
HN: COVID was hard. Homeschooling my daughter while running the business was a huge challenge. For Recycled Ideas, a lot of sales are driven by momentum and folks seeing the paper at events. However, two things helped: an amazing, supportive life partner and coping mechanisms to pick yourself back up when those day-to-day things get to you. Even simple stuff like listening to your favorite music.
CM: Health is my biggest challenge every day. However, my wellness system is how I make it through; with healthy communication with my family clients, as well as having a space that gives you wholeness and wellness. It is important to remember that you can’t let your disabilities prevent you from your goals and make your environment work for you. It is also important to be present in your business and life because it will impact your business and your brand.
MB: In 2015 I had some family issues which took me away from my second business and created additional financial problems. I did have to shut down and essentially start the business over and during this period I had to lean on my family and friends who were incredibly supportive. It was a massive challenge but it taught me to never give up and to embrace the setbacks that will be thrown at me. You have to learn to adapt your plan and change as you go. However, I was fortunate with the pandemic because no one stops eating onions.
MC: Two years ago I had gotten great traction and was incredibly busy. My husband is also an entrepreneur and having two busy parents is hard for a child. We see a lot of flashiness about entrepreneurship, but you don’t hear the conversations behind closed doors with your partner because you are absent from your family. I had to create some boundaries and only work with clients that I truly wanted to work with.
What are the soft or hard skills that have helped you in growing your business?
HN: Communication is key. When you’re in college you’re learning a certain way of communicating and soon you’re going to be out in the world with a more diverse population. Get outside of the Whitman bubble and practice interacting with people who are not like you.
CM: Identify if something is a passion— if it is who you are— or if it is something you do. What you do should be who you are. I am naturally a nurturing person so it is a big part of my job. You can have the worst product but if you give them a great experience that is what they’ll remember.
MB: You need to learn how to sell yourself. Be prepared to brag about yourself!
MC: You need to know how to read between the lines and pick up on the emotions of your clients. Sometimes they won’t even know what they’re looking for so it’s up to you to help them figure it out.
What sort of research should you do before making the big leap into launching your business?
HN: Market research is crucial. You need to understand how you stand apart from your competition, how to make your product the best, and don’t be afraid to take inspiration from others in your market and add your own twist.
MB: Understand which gap you can fill. Where are people’s needs not being met and how you can meet them.
MC: Market research can also make you doubt yourself or feel insecure when you compare yourself. You should lean into what makes you, YOU. At the end of the day, people are choosing to do business with a person— with YOU.