Willow Talk The House of Willows

The episode:

Our season 2 finale is here! In the first episode of this season we walked you through some of the lessons learned in the year prior and gave a sneak peak into some of our plans for 2023. Well, we’re 3.5 months into the new year and we thought there’d be no better time to pull back the curtain and give an overview of our 2023 plan: how it started, what we’ve changed already, and how we’re pacing against our goals so far.

We also talk about:


The importance of building savings (when you can) to allow yourself flexibility and optionality to try more things


Why we didn’t back plan from our goals in 2022 and why we absolutely did in 2023


Why there are only lessons to be learned and never failures (ie: why we needed to make the mistakes we did)


Ways to diversify your revenue streams and how to plan your monetary goals around those revenue channels


The best time to plan your annual goals


The humbleness of biting off more than you can chew


How time is a more valuable resource than many think


Critical goals vs. nice to have goals


How to prioritize your projects and make hard decisions on which to devote your time to and which ones aren’t going to move the needle


Why it's important to have contingency plans to lower risk when possible





Keep listening:

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.


Finding Confidence Through Comfort with Lennon Dobben-Annis


Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business


The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach





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More here:

Be featured on our Instagram

www.thehouseofwillows.com



Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

The Interview

In this episode of Willow Talk, we talked with Lennon Dobben-Annis, the owner and creator behind Lemmon by Lennon. Join us for this conversation and learn about Lennon’s mission to help women find confidence through comfort by creating custom swimwear and resort wear that can have a meaningful impact on the way someone feels in their own skin.



We Also Talk About


Every creative’s famous last words, “I’ll make it myself.”


How Lennon’s mom and grandmothers influenced her love of sewing and creating.


The influence working at Cinnamon Rainbow Surf Co. and living in Hawaii had on Lennon’s swimwear journey.


The importance of asking for help.


Lennon’s desire to help women find confidence through comfort and making pieces that can have a meaningful impact on the way someone feels in their own skin.


The accessibility (or lack thereof) of swimwear in the current market and how Lennon is working to make the industry more inclusive of all body types. 


The inherent vulnerability of swimwear for most people and how Lennon works within those conversations to make her customers feel safe, comfortable and seen. 


The role her soccer team played in the growth of Lemmon by Lennon.


The inconsistency of sizing across the fashion industry and why Lennon creates custom pieces made to order.


Why, even though customs may not be the “smartest” business decision by capitalistic standards, they are crucial to Lennon from a mission standpoint.


Lennon’s desire to bridge the gap between accessible swimwear and sustainable swimwear - something that is often out of reach for many at the moment.


Society’s obsession with fast fashion and the impact it has on the planet.


Lennon’s goals for the future of Lemmon by Lennon.


The moment you shift your business from “mastering your craft” to “growth”.


Having grace with yourself when you just don’t want to work on your business somedays. 


Why owning your own business is consuming and how to address the inevitable crossroads you’ll have to move past throughout your journey.  



Where to Find Lennon 


Instagram: @lemmonbylennon


www.lemmonbylennon.com



Other Mentions


Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co.


wave bait



Keep Listening

Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.


Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business


The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach


Priceless Individuality with Nanette Pengelley



Wanna be first?

Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:

Be featured on our Instagram

www.thehouseofwillows.com


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

The Episode:
In this episode of Willow Talk, we talk about getting comfortable making uncomfortable choices, why you need to let go to do more, and - of course - the value of your time and the role it plays in moving yourself and your business forward.

We Also Talk About:

Emma’s exciting new business venture!!
Why we’ve decided to figure everything out as we go along
How to accept the chaos in your life
Why no one can avoid risks when starting a business - that leap of faith is inevitable
The importance of pushing yourself when you feel scared
Allie’s fear of the New York City subway system
The definition of failure and how that’s changed for us over time
Experimentation and its role within failure
How to make certain choices when you feel you’re at a crossroads
The value of your time and where to shift your focuses
Protect your time - find the space to move yourself forward
Hard work is unavoidable but hustle culture sucks

Keep Listening.
Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.


Creating Connection Through Our Art with Becca Lane
Relying on Self Trust with Rose Koerner
Finding the Power to Make Your Own Choices with Kelly Stück

Wanna be first?
Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:
Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

The Art of Adaptation: Finding the balance of art and life with JM Leach
listen now on Spotify & Apple Music

The Interview:
In this episode of Willow Talk, we talked with Boston based photographer JM Leach about the moment he first picked up a camera, how he’s explored various photography styles over the years, and how he’s adjusted his goals with photography to adapt to life as a new dad.

We Also Talk About:

His love of street photography and the trip that first inspired him in this area
The beauty of capturing raw moments
Life as a new parent and how JM and his partner Alex are balancing that with their creative goals
How JM and Emma first bonded over their love of photography
How his photography style has evolved over time
The various photo styles he now works in - street, hospitality, brand, wedding etc.
JM’s big billboard break
Tips for getting out of creative slumps
The grind of getting a full time business off the ground when you’re in start up mode
The importance of strong communication skills with your partner, clients and collaborators
How JM’s perception and value of time has changed since becoming a parent
The power of community and the abundance of creative minds to connect with in this world
The difference between film and digital and an appreciation for both skill sets
Why you need to stay firm in your pricing
The power of saying no

Where to Find JM.

Instagram: @jmleachdotworld
Instagram: @aguadejota
www.aguadejota.com

Keep Listening.
Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.


Working ‘On’ Your Business vs ‘In’ Your Business
Creating Connection Through Our Art with Becca Lane

Wanna be first?
Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:
Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

The Interview:
In this episode of Willow Talk, we chat through the difference between working ‘on’ your business versus working ‘in’ your business, why you need to carve out time for both, and ways to stop yourself from spending too much time on one over the other.

We Also Talk About:

Growth strategy and implementation
Giving yourself the space to grow
What it means to set goals and how to keep yourself accountable
The roles systems play in working on our businesses
Why short term losses can lead to long term gains
How to decide which goals are right for you
Ways to keep you moving forward with your growth goals and avoid being stagnant
Why you need to trust your gut
Tips for time management
Why you need to be able to give yourself a break when your heads just not in it
Ways to set yourself up for success
Why success is sometimes seasonal

Other Mentions.

Honeybook
Asana

Keep Listening.
Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.


Creating Connection Through Our Art with Becca Lane
Redefining Time Management and Productivity as Creatives
Marketing 101: An Intro to Growing Your Art Business

Wanna be first?
Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:
Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio


---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support

The Interview:
In this episode of Willow Talk, we talked with Becca Lane the owner and artist behind One Lane Studios. Join us for this conversation and learn about Becca’s relationship with art over the years, the steps she took to go full time with her business in 2021, and how her desire to help others connect and relate in this world plays a role in the pieces she creates.

We Also Talk About:

A Becca’s art background, how she got started in creating, and some of the styles she is most commonly creating
The early feelings Becca had when she took One Lane Studios full time in 2021
Becca’s early interest in art as a child and how that shaped her relationship with art throughout her life
The various channels Becca has utilized to sell her art and how that has allowed her to make a full time income from her art
Her goal to destigmatize mental health and how mental health plays a role in much of her work
The moment when Becca realized creating art was something more than just a hobby
The two major concepts and themes found in Becca's work and the inspirations and significances of these concepts
What it means when your career and your coping mechanism are the same and how to combat that
Becca’s formal art school experience - what allowed her to grow and what challenges she faced
The doubts Becca had of the feasibility of taking her art business full time and how she overcame those challenges
The criticalness of taking breaks
The role perfectionism plays in Becca’s art, how she’s managed that over the years, and the moment in art school that set her “free” of it
Some of the challenges Becca has faced starting a small business and the skills learned to elevate One Lane Studios to where it is now
Some advice she would give to an artist just starting out
A common misconception people have about turning your art into a business

Where to Find Becca.

Instagram: @onelanestudios
www.onelanestudios.com

Keep Listening.
Did you enjoy this one? Here are a few other episodes of Willow Talk you may like as well.


Finding the Power to Make Your Own Choices with Kelly Stück
Embracing the Unseen Impacts of Art: An Interview with Allie McDevitt
Marketing 101: An Intro to Growing Your Art Business

Wanna be first?
Sign up for our newsletter to  be the first to know about events, updates and the latest news from our artists!

More here:
Be featured on our Instagram
www.thehouseofwillows.com

Stay connected: @thehouseofwillows | @emmadarpino | @lavenderlilacstudio


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/willow-talk/support