We love seeing women succeed in business. Stepping out on your own is tough; it takes courage, perseverance, and for many women, the ability to juggle being the boss and a mom. It truly takes a hustler’s mentality to handle the around-the-clock work days it takes to bring an idea or dream to fruition. 

That’s why carrying female-owned brands in both of our boutiques and bringing women together in a supportive space to learn and inspire each other are such big priorities to us. We believe in the importance of lifting each other up and valuing community over competition.

In that spirit, we caught up with the featured panelists at our upcoming Ladies’ Night to give you a preview of who they are and why we love them.

  Jesi Haack, owner of Jesi Haack Designs and Slaack Productions

Tell us a little about how you got started and how you turned your dream into a real life business. 

It was an accident. I was young. I got married. Then my friends got married and wanted my help. Then their friends saw what I did and asked for my help, too. Then someone offered to pay me for my help. I lost my mind. Then blogs were born and my work got featured on a few and it just snowballed. I went with it. I actually made my own business cards on perforated cards from Staples. I’ve always been super classy. 

After having a creative career on your own, how did you decide you wanted to enter into a partnership? What are some of the advantages to working with a partner?

Since my focus and strengths were specifically in the creative and design aspect, Hallie and I made the perfect combo. We divided our workload into creative/production, so we both were able to focus on the specific aspects and really thrive and grow. My favorite part of having a partner is having someone to laugh at my dumb jokes. And the support, that’s rad too. It’s amazing feeling like we are in this together; through the stress, the pissed off clients, mean people, amazing successes, happy clients, and exciting growth! I love my business partner. 

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you that you would pass on to others looking to start a business?

Leila, with Be Inspired PR, once told me to really be aware of what I am putting out into the world, as far as the quality of my work. While I was still growing, I did some ugly stuff. And I felt so much pressure to put EVERYTHING I ever did on social media and blogs. But it was UGLY. She gave me the advice to only show the stuff I loved, that communicated what I wanted my brand to be, and that I had good pictures of. Best advice ever. 

Follow Jesi’s work on Instagram or check out Slaack Productions.

   Jeni Castro, owner of Coffee Dose and Bronzed Bunny 

Tell us a little about how you got started and how you turned your dream into a real life business. 

I’ve loved spray tanning for as long as I can remember. I used to spray babes out of my car and in my home, but living with a partner made it pretty awkward having a bunch of naked women drying in my kitchen. I made the move, leased a space, decorated it myself with the most amazing vintage pieces, and opened my doors knowing that this was going to be the most special experience for my clients. Luckily, my suspicions were right and it was a success from the start! The bunny era truly began that day and now it’s bigger than I could’ve ever imagined. 

How do you juggle the challenges of running two totally different businesses? What made you want to explore a second business venture? 

I couldn’t do it alone. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me face those challenges. It’s a lot to handle sometimes, but it’s so rewarding. I never expected to start another business in a totally different category, but I was lying in bed one night, looked at [my husband] Oscar, and said, “I wanna start a coffee shop.” And here we are. 

How do you juggle two totally different businesses?

I couldn’t do it alone. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me face those challenges. It’s a lot to handle sometimes, but it’s so rewarding. 

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you that you would pass on to others looking to start a business?

Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Period. 

Follow Jeni on Instagram and check out Coffee Dose and Bronzed Bunny.

  Dayna Mance, owner of Prism Boutique

Tell us a little about how you got started and how you turned your dream into a real life business. 

I always knew I wanted my own clothing store and started working retail in college. When I graduated, I got a job as a manager in training at Urban Outfitters. After a couple of years, I transferred to Anthropologie where I worked my way up through management and spent nearly ten years. I got burned out from corporate life and decided to take the plunge and go out on my own in 2013. I opened a 650 sq. ft. boutique on the side of the road in Long Beach, and the rest is history.

A lot of people with great ideas never step out on their own because of fear of failure. How did you take that first big leap from a stable job and a growing career to do your own thing? 

I knew I had to try. I had a burning desire and knew that I would be ok if I failed. I would just have to go back and get a job. Luckily, that hasn’t happened yet. I found a location totally by accident just by driving by and seeing a for rent sign. I decided to just go for it. 

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you that you would pass on to others looking to start their own business?

You will never know if you don’t try. Get as much experience as you can in your field, be willing to work hard and wear many hats every day for a long time, collaborate with as many people as you can, be willing to take risks, push fears aside, and follow your gut.