Career

Tracey Solomon is Changing How We Buy Our Basic Needs

KathrynFinney — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:05:01 +0000

Tracey Solomon is the co-founder and co-president of Hoseanna.com, a popular automated delivery service of all of life's messy necessities (pantyhose, razors, tampons, and the like). Formerly a successful business consultant and a brand strategy engagement leader, Solomon made the leap to e-commerce in 2010 with co-founder Katrina Carroll-Foster, and hasn't looked back.

Recently, I spoke with Tracey about her leap of faith, what it's like to start a business with your best friend, and her close call with medical school.

Tracey, you were a successful business consultant for Fortune 100 giants like Siemens AG and Lucent Technologies, and leading brand strategy engagement for healthcare leaders like Pfizer and Eli Lilly -- so how does one make the move from that place to pantyhose?

It sounds like quite the leap of faith, doesn’t it? I was working for a major corporation, learning about business from some of the most powerful business leaders -- about how to manage risk, how to go about assessing new markets and new opportunities. But then there comes a point where have to either have to jump off the cliff or walk away, and hope that you have either guessed it right or have the tools to adapt.

In terms of the pantyhose market, we were looking at an area that actually addressed something that was particularly female. We wanted something that, A, spoke to the women that we were in our professional life, and B, that could help make that part of your life just a little easier without having to overhaul your entire life.

What are some of the important lessons you’ve learned as you’ve created Hoseanna?

I think the most important thing I learned was to look at a business from a 360-degree perspective. It’s so important to understand the business from the customer standpoint, but also internally as an organization: How do you translate those customer needs into how you go about doing business? Those businesses at the top of the Fortune lists are consistently and continuously asking themselves how they can do better, and how are they staying in touch with the needs of their customer.

I also think the subscription model was a challenge. All the reasons we wanted to go into the market made sense, and it think that was the surprise [that] it was difficult to get traction on the subscription part of it. We were successful, so the brand and the story we’re telling -- people are responding to that. But it’s not something that automatically just takes off, because you have also the discovery trend you need to manage.

Your best friend is your business partner. How did you create boundaries so that your business did not affect your friendship?

We talked about what we wanted out of our venture, but first we talked about the rules of behavior and engagement for each other. We were best friends, and most important to us was preserving the friendship -- and if it got to the point where we felt like the business was really diminishing our affection and respect for each other, then one of us or both of us would get out. We made that pact early on.

We have great communication and the same project management approach, but we also have a lot of distinct skills. You have to have your own unique skills, and your partner has to have that too, so she feels represented well in the relationship.

How important have bloggers been to Hoseanna’s success?

I think that was one of the major discoveries for us. We knew that bloggers were going to be important, because women clearly rely on credible and established bloggers for advice on these things. No one has time to surf the web for the 50,000 Google hits that you get on a given topic; you need that layer in between that’s giving you guidance.

So we knew that from the beginning we needed to build relationships with bloggers. We definitely have seen the traffic that’s been driven to our site; it's coming from the blogging industry.

So what did you want to be when you grew up?

Both my parents are in the medical field. I started pre-med and fully expected to go into medicine. When I was at university, I sort of accidentally happened upon some business courses, and realized I actually like business. I like practical knowledge and immediate feedback from the market. And I think that’s the appeal of entrepreneurship, that the market tells you in an e-commerce business whether what you’re doing is working or not.

That’s the thing that keeps you on the hook. You remember that you’re working in a business where every day is a chance to have someone buy something and give you feedback: "Hey, I like what you’re doing." And that’s what keeps you getting up in the morning.

Dream On

TamiLC — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:07:28 +0000

Still thinking about my niece’s college graduation. I’m bursting with pride that she achieved her goal. She busted her butt, taking heavy course loads and extremely difficult classes. Classes that I would have run from before ever purchasing the book. And she was beaming as she received her diploma. At least I think she was beaming; it was hard to tell given that we were seated on the far end of the arena. Either she was happy, or she was embarrassed that her cheering section jumped up and screamed so loudly that it echoed. I think we may have scared those sitting calmly around us. My apologies.

I remember feeling like my niece. One of my best memories is graduating from college and feeling like I had just finished the hardest, longest, most kick-butt marathon ever. Receiving my masters’ degree was even more thrilling – a newly minted degree and my dream job waiting for me once I stepped outside. Seemed like the world was full of opportunities.

I’m a bit concerned about the new robes I saw at the graduation, especially in today’s economy. I’m wondering how many of them have a job waiting for them. As a board member for a collegiate graduate program, I know that many choose to continue their education simply due to the scarcity of jobs these days. It’s hard to bask in the recognition that comes with a robe when all you really want is to put the knowledge to use and start your career. Continuing to grad school also creates an issue for those who must have a graduate degree to pursue their dreams, such as my niece. Now she’s in competition once again simply to get in to a graduate program.

This also raises concerns for those of us already in the work force, especially for anyone in lay-off land. Now we’ve got to compete for jobs with this new batch of robes. They’re smart¸ ambitious and full of energy. They have yet to be jaded from years of working long hours for dwindling benefits without much recognition. Oh, I know; it’s just a matter of time before they experience the feeling of burnout. But still, it’s competition right now for the thousands of unemployed. I could argue that experience can outweigh academic “smarts”, except that in the real world youth plus new degree equals high level job, even if it’s low paying.

I’ve spoken with both sides of the equation about this situation. Friends and former colleagues who are considered veterans in their fields are having trouble finding work. For those of us who have pieced together work after being laid-off, many are underemployed (translation: low title and low pay) or are in a job that doesn’t suit us yet we can’t afford to leave. Desperate to find something better, the competition is fierce with these new robes vying for the same jobs.

The students are concerned too. Many are forced to work multiple unpaid internships before finding a company that will hire them – and actually pay them. Wow. I’m not talking about students who skated by with barely passing grades either. Even my niece, who was a T.A. as well as a leader in numerous college organizations, participated in an academic mission trip, has hands-on work experience and whose grades are what I would consider stellar, is concerned simply about getting into a graduate program to continue toward her dream career.

One thing I do know is that we all – new robes and career veterans – have the opportunity to make our career dreams come true despite the economy and anything else that might get in our way. That may mean accepting a job with a lower title and salary than we’re used to, or for new grads it may mean bunking with the parents while working an unpaid internship. It’s all about getting experience, no matter how insignificant or tough it may seem at the time.

As my favorite new philosopher Steven Tyler of Aerosmith fame said recently, “You have to have a dream in order to realize the dream”. Well said, Steven. Rock on, graduates.

Read more at my blog, www.talesoftheterminated.com

Angry Shrink #3: Sometimes people are awful

Erinna11 — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:11:06 +0000

Today I find myself thinking back to some truly remarkably obnoxious incidents I've had with parents. With fathers, actually. For some reason I've had good luck with mothers. I suspect it's because women don't feel the need to assert any sort of power or aggression over me. They get that I'm just doing my job.

In the past few years I've had a couple of candidates for Asshole of the Year. My most recent was a father we'll call Dick. Just because...well, you know. Anyway, I had been seeing Dick's daughters for about a year. The two girls ages 11 and 9, spoke highly of their dad. They had endured a rough divorce and mom and dad were not on speaking terms. They explained to me that there had been some domestic violence but ultimately, they felt bad for dad. Because he lived alone with just his dog for company and mom had gone on to form a new relationship and move into a nice house.

After a year of treatment the girls were ready to graduate and only come see me if a problem arose. That was when I made the critical mistake of telling the girls they could come see me with dad if they wanted, I was open and available to both parents. Mind you, I had never heard from dad over the entire year. Not a phone call, email, question, nothing.

The very next day I received a voice mail from dad. I called him back immediately but it went straight to voice mail where I left a message stating there was no alarm I had merely told his daughter she was welcome to come in at any time and so was he.

This did not go down well. Father then proceeded to leave me 3 voicemails in 2 two days. With his messages becoming increasingly hostile and creepy. I avoided answering my phone when I saw his number because I was genuinely uncomfortable. Because these were not normal messages he was leaving me. After his fairly normal initial message, he followed with "Mrs. Smith this will be the last time I call you since you haven't bothered to call me back."

Um...I wish that were true.

His last message was the icing on the asshole cake. "Mrs. Smith Doolittle you know why I'm calling. Also, don't call me Dick, only my friends call me Dick. It's MR.. Bla-blah to you."

Really?? REALLY??!!

I vowed not to return his call. Ever.

Sadly, as I was sitting at Starbucks later that day enjoying my delightful iced mocha, my phone rang. I thought I recognized the number as someone I actually wanted to hear from. Mistake Erin, big mistake.

"Well hello Mrs. Smith I see you do answer your phone."

Oh shit...sigh.

Yes it was Dick. In all his glory. I once again attempted to explain that his kids were fine but he took great offense to that because apparently, to him, they were not fine because mom had a new boyfriend so therefore, they could not possibly be fine. I asked him twice calmly and to lower his voice and have a conversation with me. He was not interested in that option. About 2 minutes into attempting this phone call I informed him "Mr. Bla-blah, you are way too aggressive for me. Good luck finding your kids a new therapist. You are no longer welcome in my office. This conversation is over."

Which he responded to by maniacally laughing. I am not kidding. He actually started what I can only explain as that sarcastic laugh horrible people do when they're trying to convey how beneath them you are.

I hung up.

Luckily he did not call back.

And I labeled his phone number Do Not Answer in my work cell.

Sigh. Where are the douche police when you need them?

What 3 Words Describe You and Your Brand?

paulag01 — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:24:24 +0000

What are the 3 words that best define you and your brand? They are at the core of your brand. You need to know these for your own confidence and direction. One way to get at the heart of it is to find out what 3 words others use to describe you. Learn how to discover and use these words effectively. What are your three words?

A couple of months ago I stumbled upon this post at Mommalogues.

I rarely visit the site yet when I saw a tweet containing the link/teaser below it caught my attention.

What three words would your kid(s) use to describe you?

For two reasons.

First, it reminded me how long it had been since I asked someone to define my MizFit brand for me.

Im a believer in the importance of defining one’s brand and in remaining consistent in all facets of brand messaging.

Read the full post on What 3 words would others use to describe you? on Miz Fit Online.

Credit Image: blakespot via Flickr

Jour 135: I got pay-it-forward-ed!

admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:11:25 +0000

"Hello? AMAZING STORY calling!" So, I was biking home from work just now and, about 1/8 of the way home (i.e. 10 minutes into my 45 minute commute) the chain came off of the thingie. And a few things occurred to me: 1) I should probably learn how to fix my bike 2) This is the sort of situation where it would have been nice to have a working cellphone 3) This sucks, especially since I have the sort . . .

Taper Madness

admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:11:21 +0000

There's a running term called taper madness that I realized totally applies to personal finance as well. Let's back up. Tapering, is when right before a big race, you take a few days off running to let your body rest and recover so you are at your best on the big day. Tapering always comes on the heels of doing a lot of running, a lot of long runs, and a lot of thinking about running. Therefore, tapering is . . .

Return to Old-Fashioned Values? No thanks.

admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:11:18 +0000

At commencement last weekend, I was reminded yet again why I do not want to return to old-fashioned American values. At least the cap is uni-sex. Photo by SmugMug User Ed Sloat. My chest tightens a little when I hear this commonplace plea because some of these values weren't all that great. Lots of separate but equal; specific roles to be filled by mothers, by fathers, by women, by men; shunning otherness (even calling it otherness). Take, for . . .

5 newbie mistakes I'd avoid if I started blogging today

admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:11:14 +0000

Photo courtesy sexyninjamonkey [Editor's note: It's another theme day for the WordCount Blogathon, when everyone is writing on the same topic: If I started a blog today, what would I do differently? Here's my answer. -- MVR] When I started blogging, I didn’t have a clue. I’d been doing the stay at home mom thing when blogging first got popular, and jumped into it as part of my re-entry into the workforce. I put zero thought into why . . .

Create Effective Presentation Using Coco Chanel Principles

paulag01 — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:37:04 +0000

[Editor's Note: Have you ever tried to make your presentation "better" by throwing in just "one more thing"? That is until you throw in just one more and one more and one more? Simple is better and more effective. Learn how the Coco Chanel method can help you hone your next presentation. - Paula G]

Use The Coco Chanel Method To Gauge What's Too Much In Your Presentation

I nearly fell into that night-before-your-presentation trap a couple of weeks ago. You know this feeling: You're reviewing your slides and rehearsing what you'll say against them, and then decide to throw in one more tactic, one more audience interaction, one more slide or video.

Read the full post on Use The Coco Chanel Method To Gauge What's Too Much In Your Presentation on The Eloquent Woman.

Credit Image: mckaysavage on Flickr

5 Questions You Must Answer to Build Your Career

MaryFoley — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:13:33 +0000

Are you completely satisfied with your career? Or, is there something gnawing at you inside saying that you could do better?

Here are five questions to determine if you’re on track for building a Bodacious Career and what adjustments you need to make. (Pssst! If you own your own business, these questions can be applied with just a little imagination.)

#1 Do you deliberately create relationships with people that matter inside and outside of your company?

Everything in business is introduced, evaluated, negotiated, bought, sold, resolved, ended, and enjoyed is highly related to relationships. You need to determine who inside and outside your company can help your career in some way. And you need to take action to get to know them.

#2 Do you know how to say “no” without jeopardizing your career?

You must be able to say “no” in many forms and take stand for yourself when needed. “No” comes in many forms from “I can’t do that right now, how about on Thursday?” to “If you want me to do this now, I can, but first let me know what can wait to give this priority” to “I appreciate your thoughts, but I’ve decided to make a different decision.”

#3 Do you usually have a proactive strategy for thriving on change?

Change is inevitable, but growth is optional. For career success you must commit to figuring out how you can thrive, not just survive, as situations arise in today’s constantly changing environment.

#4 Do you embrace office politics and know the power bases in your company?

Office politics is really relationships plus power. Power is derived from one or more bases exist is every organization: knowledge power, creative power, positional power, relationship power, and personal power. Embracing office politics means determining how to use the power bases in your company for the good of your career and the organization.

#5 Do you have a personal career plan?

You must know where you’re headed and how you’re going to get there. Creating your future includes evaluating what’s working and what’s not in your current situation, allowing yourself to dream about a future state, and taking constructive steps in that direction. It also includes making adjustments as needed and celebrating achievements along the way.