"Put Yourself Out There" and More Inspiring Quotes From Our Making It With Madewell Summit

Photos: Courtesy of Madewell; Left: Trinity Mouzon Wofford, @golde; Right: Susanna Cromwell, @susanna_cromwell_art

On Saturday, August 15th, we teamed up with Madewell for our Making It With Madewell Digital Summit. It was a super-fun day jam-packed with thought-provoking panel conversations, insightful workshops, and behind-the-scenes studio tours devoted to championing creatives, including artists, small business owners, and Madewell’s own Hometown Heroes.

We covered everything from finding creative inspiration to scaling a handmade business to growing a brand online. Steffi Lynn Tsai, Lauren Williams, Paola Mathé, Yvonne Orji, and more taught us a thing or two about overcoming self-doubt, turning a profit, and being a self-employed boss with a capital B. If you missed out (or if you just want to relive the highlights!), scroll on because we jotted down the most memorable moments for you!

Psst… If reading this is giving you serious FOMO, join Create & Cultivate Insiders to get unlimited access to all of the Making It With Madewell content, including video recordings of every panel and workshop download in C&C history. For all the makers, creatives, and designers out there searching for community and a wider platform to sell your small-batch goods, you can apply to join Madewell’s Hometown Heroes here.

Keynote: Making It With Yvonne Orji  

“Black joy is activism. Joy is protest.”

—Yvonne Orji

Panelist:

Yvonne Orji | Emmy-Nominated Actress, Comedian, and Producer

Moderator: 

Jaclyn Johnson | CEO & Founder, Create & Cultivate 

 On dealing with writer’s block…

“I take a nap. Do not underestimate the power of a power nap.” 

“If you’re hitting a wall, something’s off and stepping away and doing something you actually like is the thing you need to do.”

On not listening to the haters… 

“If you tell me “no,” that’s just motivation for me to power up.”

On following her passion (despite her parents’ disapproval)…

“If I don't do it, I have myself and only myself to blame.”

On dealing with stage fright… 

“I have not gotten over it, and I don't think I ever will.”

“That’s the thing about fear, when you go against it and you come out on top, it’s easier the next time.”

On having faith in your life’s path...

“Whatever is for you, regardless of the resources you have, will find its way to you.”

On learning to let go of relationships that don’t serve you…

“When you get bullied, you want everyone to like you, you want everyone to look favorably on you.”

 “Now, my goodbye game is so strong.”

“Let’s say goodbye with love.”

On taking the leap...

“I would say the key to my success is saying yes when I don’t have all the facts.”

“If you never take the first step, no one’s checking to help you out.”

On overcoming an insatiable drive to achieve… 

“I didn’t take time to process the blessings that were coming because I was so focused on what was coming next.”

“I was on this treadmill of achievement and exhausting myself in the process.”

“I had to learn to love myself when I wasn’t doing anything.”

On recognizing the power and importance of Black joy… 

“Black joy is activism. Joy is protest.”

“If you need a moment of levity, I’ve got you.”

The Maker Economy: From Creativity to Cash Flow 

“It’s okay to start small. Give yourself some room to grow.”

—Steffi Lynn Tsai

Panelists:

Steffi Lynn Tsai | Founder & Artist

Gianne Doherty | Co-Founder, Organic Bath Co., & Founder, WELL Summit

Stephanie Summerson Hall | Founder, Estelle Colored Glass 

Kia Perry | Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, HERMARKET

Moderator: 

Erica Chan Coffman | Founder & Executive Editor, Honestly Media

On being a freelance artist…

“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work for myself.” - Steffi Lynn Tsai 

“I started really young and I was hungry for it.” - Steffi Lynn Tsai 

On hiring a dream team…

“Surround yourself with good people, a good team. That doesn’t always have to mean full-time staff, that can be consultants, interns, and volunteers.” - Gianne Doherty

“You can’t do it all by yourself.” - Gianne Doherty

On transitioning from a traditional career to a creative one…

“Legal skills are always very good to have in business. It gives me a different perspective and level of judgment.” - Stephanie Summerson Hall

On defining success by supporting other small businesses…

“How many of these brands are we helping and to what extent? When they’re at our markets, are they making money? Are they getting their return on investment?” - Kia Perry

“Our success is their success. Without their success, we don’t exist.” - Kia Perry

On managing your finances…

“You always have to keep your eye on cash flow, on a daily basis, because it really limits what you can do and how much you can do.” - Gianne Doherty 

“I’ve learned how to live on less and cut my own personal expenses to invest money back into the businesses and let them grow.” - Stephanie Summerson Hall

On tapping into your community during COVID-19…

“Even though it’s an unfortunate time, it’s the perfect time business-wise to figure out what your communities and consumers want from you.” - Kia Perry

On establishing meaningful relationships with clients...

“It’s really important to establish meaningful relationships with your clients, especially ones you really loved working with.” - Steffi Lynn Tsai 

“No matter how cool a brand is or how cool an artist is if they’re hard to work with and if you don’t connect and have a friendship, it’s not fun to work with them.” - Steffi Lynn Tsai 

On entering a saturated market…

“There’s competition everywhere, so it’s about knowing who your customer is and staying true to that.” - Gianne Doherty 

“You can’t be everything to everyone.” - Gianne Doherty 

On running a creative business with a co-founder…

“We both have learned to make space for one another. We’re two very strong-minded people and when we believe in something we believe in it wholeheartedly.” - Kia Perry

“You really have to protect your partnership. To me, it’s more than just business because our lives are intertwined.” - Kia Perry

On sharing their #1 money tip for small business owners...

“It’s okay to start small. Give yourself some room to grow.” - Steffi Lynn Tsai 

“Value your time and put a value on your time.” - Gianne Doherty 

“Talk to folks in the field you’re trying to get in and make sure you’re moving into a field where you can run a profitable business.” - Stephanie Summerson Hall

“Run the numbers and see where your margins are before you dive in and invest in something that you later learn is not going to be profitable.” - Stephanie Summerson Hall

Way to Grow: How to Build, Scale, and Take Your Business to the Next Level

“

I definitely don't believe in the starving artist syndrome—I'm here to make some money.”

—Lauren Williams

Panelists:

Jaime Schmidt | Founder of Schmidt's Naturals and Author of “Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms”

Aleksandra Zee | Artist, Woodworker, and Author

Lauren Williams | Founder and Artist

Chari Cuthbert | Founder, ByChari

Moderator: 

Sacha Strebe | Editorial Director, Create & Cultivate  

On finding your target audience…

“Know your audience, then grow your audience.” - Jaime Schmidt

On navigating competition...

“The biggest part of separating yourself from what's out there is authenticity. It's what exactly speaks to your heart and what flows out of your hands.” - Aleksandra Zee

On standing out in a crowded space...

“Understand what is it that's unique to you, that your inner creative being needs to put out into the world?”- Aleksandra Zee

On dealing with copycats…

“When you see someone succeed, and if it's someone within your realm, it doesn't take away from yours—it just sets the bar even higher.” - Aleksandra Zee

“What satisfies your heart? That's what's going to authentically flow out of your hands because nothing is going to feel good that you're copying or making that somebody else already made.” - Aleksandra Zee

On being an accidental entrepreneur...

“I really had no intention of becoming an artist or creating a brand. I really just created a piece of artwork for my own home that I loved, posted it on Instagram and things started happening really quickly.” - Lauren Williams

On making money as an artist...

“As an artist, I want to create something that's authentic to me. But as an entrepreneur, I want to figure out how to make some money doing it. I definitely don't believe in the starving artist syndrome—I'm here to make some money.” - Lauren Williams

On social media as a tool for creatives…

“What social media has provided for the maker and foreign artists specifically is that direct line to your consumer. While I love galleries, I feel that I would lose that connection with my consumer or the designer.” - Lauren Williams

On being flexible with your business plan...

“We let the market dictate what we needed to do in that sense and stay true to the brand and the feel and the aesthetic but we readjusted.” - Chari Cuthbert 

On finding your point of difference...

“Ultimately, what’s most important is offering something that's different from what customers have seen before.” - Jaime Schmidt

On pricing as an artist…

“It definitely evolves over time. As an artist, I would say that there is definitely a level of earning your price point, too, and establishing yourself, starting humbly.” - Aleksandra Zee

“Typically within the art world, you raise your prices once a year because you want your clients to know that when they buy something from you, it's going to appreciate over time.” - Aleksandra Zee

On brand partnerships and commissions...

“Don’t sell yourself short. Going in the red for something you think might be valuable, for me, has just ended up in disaster. So if it's not a ‘hell yes,’ it's a ‘no.’” - Aleksandra Zee

“If you're doubting that deal, or even if you're just doubting that commission, your intuition is usually right. So, set yourself firmly, set your pricing firm and even in those moments of like ‘I could really use this money,” it's going to come back to you by staying true to yourself and trusting your gut.” - Aleksandra Zee

On scaling as a handmade maker...

“It wasn't just during the day, I was working all night too. It got to the point where I would make my pieces and they would sell out within minutes. And so my initial reaction was to just make more, make more instead of increase the price, increase the price. So, over time I started increasing those prices.” - Lauren Williams

“It’s about listening to the market and knowing when to scale back and knowing when to continue to push on.” - Aleksandra Zee

On diversifying...

“I'm really trying to figure out how to make money without having to make the product all the time. Now I have products on my website that don't physically require me to be in the studio creating that one piece. I call that residual income—making money without having to make the piece each time.” - Lauren Williams

“You have to get around the idea of being a sellout.” - Lauren Williams

On giving manufacturing the handmade touch...

“It was really important to me to keep manufacturing in-house. I wanted to stay close to my product. There was so much learning along the way but I have no regrets. I think that's what made Schmidt's really special. We were able to do things like limited edition fragrances because we could quickly turn those around. If you outsource your manufacturing or work with a co-packer those things are a little more challenging.” - Jaime Schmidt

On the surge in sales as a result of the BLM movement…

“Nobody could predict any of it or the success that so many brands have seen. So, I think it’s about being transparent with the customer. it’s a pandemic, shipping is going to be delayed. People can only work so fast from home and do so many things without exposing themselves or their families.” - Chari Cuthbert 

“My advice when scaling is to invest in customer service first. Hire somebody. That was the first thing that burnt me out. You put your heart and soul into making something and then you get somebody who's a little frustrated because something broke by accident or the packaging wasn’t right—dealing with both sides of that was so much. So in the scaling process, first and foremost invest in customer service.” - Chari Cuthbert

On dealing with criticism...

“It was never about the amount of hours that I worked or how expensive things got or just being exhausted, it was that feedback that would break me in the beginning. You just have to separate that and understand that everybody's human and sometimes things break and sometimes things get lost.” - Chari Cuthbert  

“It doesn't get any easier the bigger you get either. As a creator of something, it's so personal.” - Jaime Schmidt

On paying to play...

“The investment in getting your brand out there is always worth it. A nice ad campaign that you're putting dollars behind might seem expensive at the time, but if you're watching the returns and it's paying off, keep doing it. Maybe it costs three dollars to acquire that customer but you were making seven dollars on your product, then it's worth it. So, even if the money seems big upfront if you're looking at the returns on it and it makes sense and then I say keep going.” - Jaime Schmidt

On hiring…

“If you are in a place to hire someone make sure you're not hiring them at a loss to your business—you're hiring them to help you make money. That person is either going to free up more mental space so you can be more creative or they're going to help you produce more.” - Aleksandra Zee

On knowing when to make that first hire...

“It got to the point where I was exhausting myself and the work was monotonous. I was running too many things that I didn't need to be. My time is worth money and it was too expensive for me to be doing them. I hired someone that could take that off my plate so I could continue to create and push the business forward. But I mean, it's scary stuff, especially when you’re a very small business.” - Aleksandra Zee

On pivoting during COVID-19...

“The beautiful part of this whole thing is that we get to pivot so quickly because we're not a huge business. It is just us or our team and so for me being able to lean in during times of chaos or shutdowns and being able to pivot and serve your audience or serve your market and your target audience in the way that works specifically for you is so amazing.” - Lauren Williams  

On starting a business now...

“It is a lot harder today with so many businesses. Ultimately though, as an entrepreneur, I would never say no, always go for it. If you fall you can either fall on your butt or you fight where you fall on your face. Either way, you can get up and you can try again. I just think that you have to try, there is no ‘no.’ I wouldn't be here right now.” - Chari Cuthbert

On being an entrepreneur...

“There's a lot of problem-solving on the fly. When you don't know something Google is your best friend. I Google everything. And never be afraid to ask.” - Chari Cuthbert

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Create a Brand Locally, Globally, and Online

“

Success is celebrating my small wins alone without any outside noise.”

—Paola Mathé

Panelists:

Blair Armstrong | Founder, Gilded

Danielle Nagel | Owner and Designer, Dazey LA

Erin Barrett | Fiber Artists & Textile Designer

Paola Mathé | Entrepreneur and Content Creator

Moderator: 

Rebecca van Bergen | Founder & Executive Director, Nest

On taking a sustainable approach…

“It’s about building a brand that I can stand by and being a part of an industry that needs change.” - Danielle Nagel

“The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, and I’m proud and excited that Dazey L.A. is producing things sustainably.” - Danielle Nagel

“We work with tight margins, and we’re okay with that because we stand by our values and we really believe in what we’re doing.” - Danielle Nagel

On hand-making products in small batches…

“Making things in small batches is hard.” - Paola Mathé

“The pros outweigh the cons so much that I’m willing to do the extra work.” - Paola Mathé

“Our clothes take time. It is slow fashion quite literally. People are waiting two to three weeks to get their shirt because it’s being custom made for them.” - Danielle Nagel

On finding the right manufacturing partners…

“Choose your partners very carefully, vet them, check their references, and check any certifications.” - Blair Armstrong

“Consider having a second or third set of eyes on any contracts you sign and consider what resolution clauses are in those contracts.”- Blair Armstrong

On the importance of networking…

“You never know what one little conversation will do to change the trajectory of your business.” - Danielle Nagel

On standing by your mission statement...

“If I’m providing opportunities to women, I want them to be treated fairly, and that comes with a cost.” - Paola Mathé

On knowing your purchasing power…

“When we buy things, it’s an opportunity for us to say who we are, what’s important to us, and to make a statement about the kind of lives that we want to live.” - Blair Armstrong

On sustainability scaling a small business…

“Make sure you have a good way to communicate with your customers in advance before your business takes off.” - Blair Armstrong

On overcoming feelings of self-doubt…

“Any time that you make something that’s a reflection of you, putting it out there initially and seeing what the response is nerve-wracking.” - Erin Barrett

“Put yourself out there, look at the feedback that you’re getting, try not to take it too personally, take everything with a grain of salt. Just keep going.” - Erin Barrett

On managing your business’ finances…

“Be aware of what your finances are. Don’t feed into the rollercoaster of emotions and be careful and intentional with your money, even when you’re doing well so that you can ride out the times when it’s not so good.” - Danielle Nagel

On growing at your own pace…

“You don’t have to take crazy leaps when you’re growing, you can take it one step at a time and see what happens.” - Paola Mathé

“Give yourself room to grow.” - Paola Mathé

On the meaning of success…

“Success to me is doing something that I’m incredibly passionate about and allows me to make a living and make other people happy.” - Blair Armstrong

“If I feel at peace, even if I haven’t completed my to-do list, then I feel like I’ve had a successful day.” - Paola Mathé

“Success is celebrating my small wins alone without any outside noise.” - Paola Mathé

Don’t miss our biggest virtual event of the year! Mark your calendar for our Future of Work Conference presented by Mastercard on Saturday, September 12.

Get your ticket here.

MORE ON THE BLOG