3. The personal price you pay as an entrepreneur

Summary

In this episode of 'Making It Happen,' hosts Jenny Rudin and Katie Demo interview Laurel Wells Thompson, founder of Bay Made, a sustainable children's clothing brand. The conversation delves into Laurel's journey from a career in women's wear to creating clothes that grow with children, reducing waste. She candidly discusses the personal sacrifices and challenges of entrepreneurship, including balancing motherhood and the struggle with mental health amidst the demands of running a business. Laurel's story highlights the importance of community and the need for self-care in the entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The podcast 'Making It Happen' features raw, honest conversations with entrepreneurs about the realities of starting, running, and growing a business.
• 🌱 Laurel Wells Thompson, the founder of Bay Made, discusses her journey from working in the fashion industry to creating a children's clothing brand that focuses on sustainability and ethical production.
• 👶 Bay Made's clothing is designed to grow with children, lasting at least three times longer than typical children's clothing, addressing the issue of fast fashion's environmental impact.
• 💡 Laurel's inspiration for Bay Made came from her personal experience with the frustration of children quickly outgrowing clothes and the desire to create a more sustainable alternative.
• 🎨 Laurel's background in fine art and design played a significant role in her transition from working for established brands to starting her own business.
• 🏭 The challenges of manufacturing in the US, especially for a small, ethically focused business, are highlighted, including the difficulties of scaling production while maintaining quality and values.
• 🔄 The concept of 'slow fashion' is introduced, where quality and longevity of garments are prioritized over rapid production and consumption.
• 🌿 Laurel emphasizes the importance of environmental consciousness in the fashion industry, noting that it is the second most polluting industry after oil.
• 🤝 The podcast underscores the value of community and support among entrepreneurs, especially in navigating the personal and professional sacrifices involved in building a business.
• 🔄 Laurel shares her current step back from her business to reassess and reset, illustrating the importance of self-care and mental health even amidst entrepreneurial pursuits.

Q & A

What is the podcast 'Making It Happen' about?

The podcast 'Making It Happen' is about having raw, honest conversations with founders about their experiences starting, running, and growing a business. It offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of entrepreneurship.

Who is Laurel Wells Thompson and what is her business about?

Laurel Wells Thompson is the founder of Bay Made, a children's clothing brand. Her business focuses on sustainably sourced, ethically produced children's clothing that is designed to grow with the child, lasting at least three times longer than typical children's clothing.

What was Laurel's background before starting Bay Made?

Laurel studied fine art in college and worked in New York City for a couture textile designer. She later moved into women's wear design and worked for an indie label in Brooklyn. After moving to Atlanta, she worked as an accessories designer for Carter's, a major children's apparel company.

What inspired Laurel to start her own business?

Laurel was inspired to start her own business after experiencing the short lifespan of children's clothing and learning about the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Her own child's outgrown clothes and the 'bag of shame' concept motivated her to create sustainable, long-lasting children's clothing.

How did Laurel initially start Bay Made?

Laurel started Bay Made as a hobby and passion project. She sold her daughter's outgrown clothes on a resale app and used the money to buy fabric to create new clothes designed to last longer.

What is unique about the design of Bay Made clothing?

Bay Made clothing features designs that allow the garments to grow with the child, such as multiple rows of snaps and buttons, elasticized waistbands, and extended crotches. This design extends the life of the garment, reducing its carbon and water footprint.

What challenges did Laurel face in scaling Bay Made from a hobby to a business?

Laurel faced challenges in manufacturing, as there were limited options for production in the US, and she didn't have the budget to commit to larger production runs. She also had to navigate the transition from a solopreneur to a business owner while maintaining the intimate relationship with her customers.

How has Laurel's personal life been impacted by entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship has led to personal sacrifices, including time, energy, and financial stability. Laurel has experienced stress and health issues due to the demands of running her business while also managing family responsibilities.

What is the significance of the '30-day step back' that Laurel mentioned?

The '30-day step back' is a period Laurel is taking to put her business on autopilot and reevaluate her work-life situation. It is a response to signs of stress and burnout, allowing her to reassess her priorities and the direction of her business.

What advice does Laurel have for other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges?

Laurel advises entrepreneurs to recognize when they are in a state of high stress or emotional turmoil and to step back from making major decisions until they are in a healthier emotional state. She also emphasizes the importance of finding a support network of fellow entrepreneurs.

How does Laurel view the balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship?

Laurel acknowledges that motherhood and entrepreneurship are often in competition with each other and that the idea of finding freedom and balance through entrepreneurship is often not as simple as it seems. She suggests that it's important to be aware of the sacrifices and challenges involved.