September Member Monday Rewind
Meet Mary Catherine Scott
I’m a writer based in Asheville, North Carolina – addicted to pop culture, Cape Cod Kettle Chips, and people’s stories. I cover a wide range of topics on my personal blog, but also write for publications like Southern Living and Garden & Gun. I love puffy stuff, I love investigative stuff, I love…well, all the stuff. I’m married to a really cute dentist, have a dog named Tom Hanks, and am a mom to two children: Mac (5) who’s currently very into drawing, and Rosie (3) who is a spirited and generally unbothered queen.
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I got into The Southern C after two different members recommended it to me. Monica Farber, a brilliant photographer, was kind enough to hook me up with Kelsey Ogletree from Pitchcraft – both these women helped me workshop a pitch and both recommended The Southern C. I knew that if the rest of the members were as helpful, game, and friendly as these two women were, the possibilities were endless. And, as advertised, it’s proven to be full of women exactly like them!
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
I’m a devotee of a small business here in Western North Carolina called Everyday Oil. It was founded by a young woman and has now been in the pages of Vogue and the New York Times, lauded as THE best body and face oil on the market. It’s ethically sourced, smells divine, and seriously feels like a luxurious spa treatment you give yourself every day stepping out of the shower.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I love the idea that Liz Gilbert throws out in her amazing book about creativity, Big Magic. I’m paraphrasing here, but the gist is that all ideas exist separate from us – instead of being generated by us, they’re actually just floating around like little invisible birds. If they land on us and we aren’t ready to pursue them, they then fly along to find someone else who can make them happen. In that spirit, I find that when I’m most open to receiving the inspiration in the world is on long walks or long drives – constant forward physical motion combined with a quiet mind. I always have my voice memo app at the ready to start dictating whatever “idea bird” lands on my shoulder.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from a writer I love so much, Chris Jones. I took a big swing one day and sent him a Twitter DM asking for his guidance, and to my great surprise and delight, he replied. One of the things he said to me about writing was “It’s simple, but it’s not easy.” He meant that the steps to success are often very simple to identify (do this, then this, then this), but that it’s never easy to actually take those steps. That advice stuck with me so much that I made it the wallpaper on my phone, and it reminds me constantly that our professional successes often hinge on whether or not we’re willing to keep at it, even when it gets hard.
Meet Ally Catherine Trenary of June St. George
I am Ally-Catherine, founder of June St. George. With June St. George, you can create a piece as bespoke as your life by designing your own rug, pillow, pet bed or other home décor through our “Design Your Own Tool” that guides you through selecting your design, material, size, colors, and personalization like a monogram, baby milestone, medallion, hand-written note, or constellation. Every product is made with the best high-quality materials, is made to be passed down through generations, and is created just for you!
Why did you join TSC Membership?
Finding a community to support you as a small business owner is critical. Other small business owners understand the struggles and the successes. TSC creates a special type of community. The support is unbelievable and my TSC community has become some of my closest friends. You are missing out if you only interact with this incredible group once a year at the Summit!
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
I started my business with the goal of creating new family heirlooms, so I love when a small business produces a heirloom-quality product I can cherish for years. Mae Bicklein Designs is an incredible cameo artist. She created a botanical cameo of my dog (and namesake of my business!), June Sailor, last year and it’s so unique and special to me. She does beautiful cameos of children and pets-that-are-children (like June Sailor) and I am excited to see her business continue to grow and flourish!
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I’ve always been inspired by my travels around the world and my Southern roots, but when Covid kept us at home, I found myself inspired by the funniest, smallest thing. A tiny detail on a box of hand soap from Costco inspired the base of an entire design. You can’t see that soap-box inspiration point in the final design because designs evolve and grow, but I keep that soap box to remind myself that inspiration can come from anywhere – you just have to keep your creative lenses on! I also find myself endlessly inspired by my clients. It is a delight to see how they take our designs and create something truly one of a kind. I love to see people curating their home to celebrate their bespoke life.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
Elizabeth Mayhew, my first TSC mentor, said to find someone just a few steps ahead of where you want to be in your business to mentor you and answer all those day-to-day questions on operating a business. Roxy Owens of Society Social and Emily McCarthy have both been incredible mentors for me. Emily took me into her shipping area of her store and showed me how to pack, weigh, and ship a box when I was getting started – her practical knowledge has made a huge difference. Roxy has been a sounding board for all my ideas and has shared so many resources with me, from white-glove delivery to attorneys. They are truly women who support women and I am so grateful for their friendship and guidance.Elizabeth also added that we also have a responsibility to find someone who is a few steps behind where we are in business and support them. I always try to make myself available for questions from businesses getting started (including how to ship a box!). I love supporting women in the “dream phase” of their business and helping them develop their concept. There’s always someone we aspire to and there’s always someone we can lend advice to. TSC is so special because it gives us a forum to support and be supported – and I will always be grateful for that!
Meet Eliza Bishop of Paper Eliza
My name is Eliza Bishop and I own Paper Eliza, a custom wedding paper shop based in Birmingham, Alabama and working with brides and clients across the country.
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I joined TSC because of the incredible community that I have experienced at the conferences. I wanted to dive deeper into the network of friendships of fellow female entrepreneurs, most likely working through similar day-to-day or general struggles that come with owning your own business.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
There are so many small businesses that I love to shop and support! J.LOWERY handbags, Le Weekend boutique in Birmingham, Jane Pope Jewelry, Hart jewelry, Swells scarves, and Tela caftans are just a few to come to mind.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I get so much inspiration from conversations with friends and fellow creatives. I love chatting with people that I trust about new business ideas, products, or campaigns – I feel like they see areas that I overlook in the daily hustle of client conversations and proof build outs. I love the feeling of leaving dinner or drinks with your girlfriends feeling refreshed, energized, encouraged and ready to tackle a new merchandise idea.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
Starting your business is one of the hardest parts. If you have another career to fall back on, it can be hard to make the dream into a reality knowing the hurdles that you face. If you’re nervous to jump in, just go ahead and buy the domain and email address, giving yourself equity in the company and motivation to keep going knowing that you have something to lose if you quit.
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