Bizz What? Jen Gotch Is Dishing All Her Best Business Advice

If you're like us, Jen Gotch's Instgram stories are at the top of your must-watch list. Every. damn. day. The CCO and Founder of the fun-centric Ban.do has built a brand with cult-like following of millennials. #FORBES. While she might not like to admit it, she's pretty D.O.P.E. at this whole business thing. And when she's not making us laugh (and/or cry and/or laugh-cry) on IG stories, she shoots an advice series called Honor Roll answering fan-submitted questions about business-related things + more. 

Watch her spill on spill some solid bizz advice for anyone looking to turn that side-hustle into a full time thing. 

Q: I'M THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS. ANY ADVICE?

Q: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR REACHING POTENTIAL FOLLOWERS WITHOUT A LARGE FOLLOWING?

Q: HOW DO I GET STARTED ON MY OWN BUSINESS WITH LIMITED MONEY?

BONUS. Jen also designed a super soft, short sleeve t-shirt as a little tribute to her advice series and 15% of the proceeds will be donated to writegirl, an la-based creative writing and mentoring organization that promotes creativity, critical thinking and leadership skills to empower teen girls. 

Love these? We'll be sharing more videos starring JG soon. Leave your burning business questions below! 

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3 Ways to Innovate & Stay Creative After 30 Years In Business

For interior and product design veteran Tammy Price, owner of Fragments Identity, "pillows are like art. They can transform a space, they can make a plain sofa come to life, they can change the texture of a chair."  But when you've been in the interior design game for 30 years, and the work is a reflection of things you love, how do you continue to innovate and stay ahead of game? 

We asked Tammy the three ways Fragments continues to maintain its unique look and stand out in a saturated design market. 

DON'T FOCUS ON TRENDS, ANCHOR THE BRAND TO YOU

Even after 30 years in the design business, we still use a tone on tone and neutral palette as the anchor to all of Fragments Identity brand products. Rather than focusing on short-lived trends, we keep it true to ourselves and our own aesthetic. We then, will go in an implement or edit our collections in very specific ways that fit with the market of the particular time. Rather than chasing the newest trends, we stay true to the timeless, classic, monochromatic vibe that is Fragments Identity. 

Ralph Lauren & Antique French Linen Armchair 

DON'T SKIMP ON QUALITY 

Quality and product fabrication of the highest level is just as important to our brand as the design is. In order to stand out in a saturated market, we are committed to providing impeccable goods of the highest quality. Not only do we design in house, but we also control and oversee all manufacturing from the beginning selection process of the textiles and furniture frames to the last tissue paper fold in the customer's packed order. 

THERE NEEDS TO BE HEART AT THE CORE OF THE BRAND

Fragments Identity is not commercially driven, but rather comes from a deep place of passion for design. To us, this passion never stops, and design flows 24/7. That's what we believe, truly sets us apart, and reflects in every aspect of the Fragments Identity brand. 

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Why Fostering Relationships Is Key to Building a Business

Real success is not only hard won, is rarely won alone. Balancing all those spinning plates takes know-how, long hours, and the skilled helping hands of others who support your career.

What we’re talking about goes beyond “It’s not who you know, it’s what you know.” This is about true connections, the kind that our friends at French Connection know all about.

It’s an attitude we most often apply to romantic relationships— that the next person we meet could be the one to change our life, but the same is true for business connections.

YOU NEVER KNOW…

Remember when your dad told you that story about the guy he met on a plane who turned into his business partner, which in turn led to the company that fed your college fund? OK. Maybe it’s not that exact story, but you hear this bit of knowledge from executives time and again: do not be dismissive of people because you think they can’t benefit you. It’s the wrong way to do business.

In fact, you should be more concerned with flipping the script. Head into every interaction thinking about what you can do for the other person. Over time this creates trust and makes you an invaluable asset, both personally and professionally.

That said, how do you:

MAKE YOURSELF INVALUABLE? BY BEING VALUABLE

We often hear about people who are successful in business finding a solution to a problem the client didn’t know existed. When you’re trying to build new relationships try to answer the question that’s not being asked.

"When you’re trying to build new relationships try to answer the question that’s not being asked."

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Behind the curtain of small questions is often a much larger question that needs answering. If you are able to address the larger issue and get to the crux of what is being discussed in an initial meeting, you’ve built a solid foundation from the gate.

It doesn’t hurt to you look great while doing so. Like in a smart casual outfit perfect for keeping comfortable while making the right first impression.

MAKE CONNECTIONS, GET CONNECTIONS

“I don’t do favors, for favors.” A helpful bit of business advice that applies to building authentic relationships.

Because another way to make yourself valuable is to offer services that are not a loss to you. For example, an email that connects people costs you very little time, but what you're showing confidence in recommending them.

The person you help out is likely to help you out down the line— often without you even asking. You’ll be top of mind as a good contact they’ll want to introduce to someone else. So don’t hoard your contacts. No one likes a hoarder.

SLOW DOWN, YOU’RE GOING WAY TOO FAST

It’s not a country song, it’s the truth. Fostering IRL relationships has taken a backseat to social media connections, but it’s effecting that speed with which we communicate in person.

Divided attention and half-hearted will never equal success. Focus in, put down the phone, and have a conversation that lives outside the social bubble.

THAT SAID, DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Liking a photo or updating your Facebook status is not connection. But there is power in social media and real connections can be made.

Is there someone on Instagram that you follow that you could see yourself potentially working with one day? Go beyond the like button and DM with a short message about how you admire their work, give a small elevator pitch, and sell them on a small idea that you could collaborate on. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Trust.

FINALLY. BE AN EXPERIENCE, WOMAN. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

It’s a concept that we find easy to apply to brands. “Be an experience brand.” You should think of your business self in the same capacity. You want to give people the experience of you that’s accurate, honest, innovative and dynamic. You want to ensure that you are amplifying every opportunity given to you to make for a great business opportunity in a smart way.

Don’t FCUK this up. Or rather, do. And make the connection.

French Connection + Create & Cultivate want you to look your best when building key business relationships. Which is why we’ve teamed up to giveaway a $500 shopping spree with FCUK. To enter fill out the below and go meet someone new today. Sure we have no way of checking if you do, but it’s only to your benefit. Contest ends Friday, April 29th. 11:59pmPST.  

This giveaway has closed.

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7 Must-Know Biz Tips from Rachel Zoe

Digitally-forward, socially-savvy, the fashion empire of Rachel Zoe is decidedly a stylish one— but it’s also built on the know-how of the entrepreneur. 

From an open-door office policy to taking the high road, Rachel is dishing seven of her best business tips. 

ALWAYS WORK LIKE YOU HAVE FIVE DOLLARS IN THE BANK.

My first job was as a sales associate at the Nine West store in Short Hills Mall in New Jersey. My biggest piece of advice for anyone starting his or her first job would be to make sure to never act entitled. It’s important that no matter what your situation is, you work like you have only $5 in the bank.

"No matter what your situation is, you work like you have only $5 in the bank."

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TRUST THAT SOMEONE WILL TAKE A CHANCE ON YOU.

If you show up every day and give your job 110% at all times, eventually you will get noticed. It may not happen as quickly as you like, but at some point the stars will align and you will get your first big break. For me, that occurred when Tommy Hilfiger hired me to style his huge White House ad campaign. I was only about a month into my freelance career at the time, and I was terrified. The job came with a big budget and took two weeks to execute. We shot a cast of young Hollywood actors, models and singers both in Austin and Los Angeles. To this day, it is still one of the most incredible productions I have worked on. I am eternally grateful to Tommy for taking a chance on me, because it not only led me to book many more jobs, but it also gave me a huge boost of confidence and proved my competence!

REALIZE THAT YOUR PATH MIGHT BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET.

You need to consider whether you're on the right career path. Who says you can't have an "I'm going to be a...just kidding!" moment like I did? Before I started my career in fashion, I was a student at George Washington University majoring in sociology and psychology. At the time, I thought I was going to be a psychiatrist! Looking back, making the jump to fashion was a natural choice for me. Bottom line: It's never too late to start over. We hear stories all the time of people later in life going back to school for something completely new and different. Those stories are inspiring. If you're lucky and you're honest with yourself, you might realize that you need to make a change.

"Bottom line: It's never too late to start over."

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FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS, NOT THE PROBLEM.

Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them can set you apart in the workplace. When something goes wrong, find a solution (or twenty) before you present the mistake to your boss or colleagues. Then, use the misstep as a chance to come out on top. As a designer, often times I will conceptualize and sketch a design for my collection only to have the prototype turn out differently than I expected. Rather than starting from scratch, I work with my team to find a middle ground that will work for the customer while not compromising my vision.

TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

When drama arises, it is tempting to want to set the record straight to everyone within the workplace. In my experience with the media reporting false stories about me or my company, I have learned that silence is almost always golden. If you try to deny or defend yourself, you are ultimately just fueling the fire. On the other hand, when you are quiet, the drama tends to fizzle much more quickly. Bottom line: take the high road and save the venting for when you are at home behind closed doors. Believe me, this is not easy.

KEEP YOUR OFFICE DOORS OPEN.

As a leader and CEO of a company that is constantly growing, it is important for me to have an open-door policy with my employees and always be honest with them. I do believe having transparency with my team shows that I trust them—I always want the lines of communicate to be open. In today’s corporate culture a lot of leaders choose to sit with their team, and not have separate offices, and I like that. The offices of my company headquarters have glass doors for a reason, to advocate transparency and openness. 

DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

My number-one piece of advice? Do what you love. It is the only thing that will keep you going through long days, stressful situations and a low bank account balance. When I was a fashion assistant at YM magazine, I worked literally on my hands and knees all day long, doing everything from packing and unpacking boxes to running around New York City in blizzards on foot (in heels!) moving full wardrobe trunks solo. It was physically taxing on a person of my height and build, but I did it all with a smile on my face. I never once complained because I felt it was such a privilege to do what I love.