Pensole Lewis 的动态

The most uncomfortable lesson for first-time entrepreneurs is that you often have to answer questions you don't have a clue about. I know that because I’ve been there ?? When Zygi Krupskis and I set out on our Persy Booths journey back in 2020, we entered a new market with few reference points for “how things should be done”. We had to start from scratch: ?? How do you soundproof? ?? How do you make sure ventilation is good? ?? How do you make sure the booth is comfortable? And when you don’t have deep pockets, you must be the one to find the correct answers and find them fast. So what did we do? From day 1, we had to make sure to “cut the fat” ?? wherever we could, and almost clinically distil every part of the product into 2 simple categories: ? Matters: Directly impacts the user experience and enjoyment of the product. ? Doesn’t matter: Doesn’t impact the user experience or the enjoyment. That meant accepting our products won’t come with some of the bells and whistles others do, but being 100% confident we nail the non-negotiable parts for the user. It turns out that’s what people value the most: not having to pay extra for things they don’t need. After 4 years in the game, we’re still following the same simple rules: ?? Focus on building a minimum loveable product ?? Be the first picky user of your own product ?? Retain a laser focus on the things that matter And here’s a real-life example of how we approach product development: Building a minimum loveable product in my own living room! (A much more slick version is launching soon. Keep your eye on Persy Booths)

What I Learned From Starting My Zobo Business. Entrepreneurship is an exciting but challenging journey, and my experience launching Crimson Elixir, a zobo production business, has taught me valuable lessons. When I started, I severely underestimated how much planning and research would go into creating a simple product. From sourcing the best ingredients I could find locally to developing a unique brand identity (our slogan: Pure. Rich in Flavor. Boldly Refreshing), every detail mattered. One major challenge was balancing my business with my law internship. Time management became my superpower—splitting time between academic commitments and entrepreneurship forced me to master prioritization and efficiency. Another key lesson was the power of innovation. In a crowded market, standing out means constantly thinking of ways to improve your product and customer experience. Listening to feedback from early customers has helped me refine both the flavor and packaging of Crimson Elixir. Most importantly, this journey has taught me the value of persistence. There were quite a lot of moments when things didn’t go as planned, but pushing through those obstacles has been rewarding. Every challenge is a lesson, and every success is a step forward. To my fellow entrepreneurs and students juggling multiple passions: What challenges have you faced, and what’s kept you going? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!!!

Steve Jobs. Emily Weiss. Brian Chesky. What do these iconic entrepreneurs have in common? They all studied art or humanities before launching world-changing companies. - Steve Jobs studied calligraphy at Reed College - Emily Weiss majored in art at NYU - Brian Chesky has a degree in industrial design from RISD Their non-traditional backgrounds fueled their creativity, design sensibility, and ability to think differently. They prove that innovation isn't just about coding or business plans - it's about bringing a fresh perspective. So next time someone questions the value of an arts degree, remember: it might just be the foundation for the next Apple, Glossier, or Airbnb. #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #ArtsMatter

Exterior shot: Flawless summer day Establishing montage: #WSU Campus, outdoors fun, poolside chats, BBQs, lazy campus activity on the mall and playfields… Cut to: Interior, day:?Students hustling to turn their business plans into viable products or services, pivoting after customer discovery, and navigating the business-building maze with mentorship and resources. They’re making their dreams a reality. You’ve most likely considered this dream too, and we’re here to help you build your future business—even while you’re still in school! I mean, really, who hasn’t dreamed of building their own business? Or... sharpen an entrepreneurial mindset and resume that will assist you in getting that killer job you want! Come learn a little more about what we do, Sept 5 at 4PM in the Cultural Center! This summer, six individuals and three teams chose to dive headfirst into the world of business-building. It’s been a challenging and productive journey, with one participant practically living at the center for the first half of summer! Now, they’re ready to pitch their business ideas. With the support of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Lee & Hayes, P.C. , industry mentors, and up to $19,000 in cash for each team, these entrepreneurs are on their way to... pitch time: Join us on September 5th at 4 PM at the #WSU Cultural Center (a great venue, btw!) for a Shark Tank-style pitch demo. These teams will present their ideas to investors and a start-up founder. Each team gets 15 minutes to present, followed by 15 minutes of feedback from the judges. Expect drama, excitement, and... networking! Plus, there will be food and beverages, and it’s #free to all. ?? JMA Pitch Demo Info https://lnkd.in/gXfDrWGj ?? JMA Info https://lnkd.in/gkctrczT #entrepreneur #pitch #investor #university #gocougs #pullman

Finding time to give back is always the right thing to do. This week, I had the privilege of speaking to the brilliant minds of 3L law students at Howard University School of Law about the realities of entrepreneurship and how they can build something for themselves. I shared my journey as the owner of an executive search firm and a fractional HR consultant, highlighting key lessons that have shaped my path thus far: ? The Importance of a Solid Business Model: Understanding how you create, deliver, and capture value is the foundation of sustainable success. Making something that people want is critical to growth and sustainability. We talked about using a business model canvas to map out their ideas and determine how best to move forward. ? Have 9-to-5 and a 5-to-9: Many entrepreneurs start with a day job while building their business after hours. Balancing both requires strategy, resilience, and unwavering commitment. I advised them on carving out part of their day every day to build something for themselves while working a fulltime job. ? Value Creation Over Everything – Whether in business or law, those who create the most value for others will always be in demand. A business is just a vehicle for you to provide a solution to someone's problem. Find a group of people that have a compelling problem you can solve is the beginning of startup with purpose. The energy, curiosity, and ambition in the room were inspiring. These students - often referred to as HUSLers - are future business leaders, attorneys, and innovators who will make a lasting impact on our planet. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of their journey. Thank you, W. Sherman Rogers for the opportunity to speak to your students, including David Edgerton III. I'm looking forward to coming back to campus to help other HUSLers build and innovate. #Entrepreneurship #HowardUniversity #HUSLers #BusinessModel #ValueCreation #FutureLeaders #EntrepreneurshipInLaw

Last week, we wrapped Central Atlanta Progress “Retail Ready” Business Accelerator Program, which provided over $85,000 in technical support and grant funding to 15 minority and women-owned businesses exploring a brick-and-mortar presence in Downtown Atlanta. The Program’s graduation included a pitch contest where our entrepreneurs showcased their business plans and vision for their future to a panel of judges and room full of downtown stakeholders.?Graduates also got to hear from Dr. Brian Blake, as he recounted his early entry into entrepreneurship back in his hometown of Savannah, GA.?Many thanks to the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University hosting our great group, and for Justin Dawkins, April Stammel, Bem Joiner, and Jasmine Aimes for taking on the hard job of judging the contest. A big congratulations to the winners, Kindred Paper and Sincerely Fearless LLC! This year’s program would not have been possible without Terrand Smith of 37 Oaks delivering a comprehensive curriculum, or the countless partners who helped localize it, including sneak peaks into available retail space, insights into commercial leasing in Atlanta, and perspective on marketing, pitching, and getting capital ready. Most importantly, the board of Atlanta Downtown Improvement District for choosing to invest in this way, in the future of small businesses in Downtown Atlanta. I think Savannah Stephens of Kindred Paper put it perfectly when she said, “Downtown is the heart center of Atlanta.” We couldn’t agree more, and here’s to keeping it beating for generations to come. Check out the video below to learn more about the program.?Special thanks to Adam Shumaker and AS3 Storytelling for capturing on film. #smallbusiness #shoplocal #retailready #smallscalemanufacturing #productbasedbusiness #retail #storefront #activation #placemaking CC: Jacey Cadet Terence Strong Allen Fox Ivy Hall Don Hunter Richard Tolbert Ashley Rivera George Banks Travis D. Hughes Ilana Preuss Brigitte Broyard Ryan Howard David Tracht Jacob Vallo Austin Thomas

Whether it's the summer break and your child is looking for something to do or you want to cultivate entrepreneurial skills through a productive side venture, motivating your child to embark on their own business venture can bring significant rewards. Begin by exploring the following list of ideas and let the selling begin. www.startupinsider.info

Last week, Crafted Identities found itself in the vibrant heart of New York City—a canvas teeming with ??????????????????????, ??????????, ????????????????????????????, ?????? ??????????. Every corner of this dynamic metropolis is a showcase of impactful marketing, seamlessly blending ????????????????????????, ????????????????, ?????? ????????????????????. In a city where you can truly be yourself and take calculated risks, we were reminded of a vital lesson: ???? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????? ??????????????????. ?????? ???????? ????????'?? ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ?????????????? ????????????????????. #DigitalMarketing #Storytelling #Leadership #Recruitment *************** Crafted Identities We help you capture attention, engage your audience, and build a community of advocates, all while driving growth and creating value. Our marketing solutions are tailored for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-minded businesses.

Bridging the Gap Between Creativity and Business: A Star Initiative by Remi Dada I had the privilege of attending a masterclass hosted by Remi Dada, where we explored the intricate balance between creativity and business. His vision of helping creatives thrive in the business world resonated deeply with me. As Remi shared his personal journey of feeling like the “middle child” between creativity and commerce, it struck a chord. That tension between innovation and business demands is something many of us in the creative field experience. But here’s the truth: life is too short to hesitate—we need to start where we are. One key takeaway was Remi’s advice to be a painkiller, not a vitamin. In business, it’s not enough to be a nice-to-have; we need to solve real problems and eliminate painpoints. The principles of solving real problems and embracing failure has shifted how I approach my ventures, making me more intentional about creating impact and refining processes as we grow. Another critical piece of the puzzle is developing a strong brand story. If we don’t tell our story, someone else will. It’s up to us to craft the narrative that reflects our vision and resonates with our audience. This insight has directly influenced how I approach branding for both Tyesha Style and Uwevwi??. But that’s not all—once the story is in place, we have to repeat and stay improving, continuously refining our craft. The session also dove into the psychology of pricing, an often overlooked element for creatives. Understanding how to position value is just as important as the work itself, especially when translating creativity into a business framework. What I loved most about the masterclass was the room full of brilliant, like-minded individuals—fellow creatives eager to collaborate and grow together. The synergy between attendees, each bringing their unique perspective, sparked exciting opportunities for collaboration and co-creation. As I reflect on this experience, it’s clear that the future of design, and indeed the business of design, lies in our ability to merge creativity with solid business principles. Thanks to Remi for making this connection tangible and inspiring us to take that leap. This is only the beginning—I’m looking forward to what’s next! #CreativityAndBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Collaboration #DesignThinking #MasterclassTakeaways #GrowthMindset #TyeshaStyle #Uwevwi

This month marks the 10th anniversary of Pixeltie, the creative studio I co-founded. To celebrate this milestone, expect several posts, starting with this one addressing some business advice I've received over the years that I'm glad I didn't listen to. ???Niche down Why should you limit yourself to a single specialty when passion and proficiency span across multiple areas? Diversity in skills doesn't equate to dilution of expertise, especially for a creative studio if you still deliver over-the-top results. ???Expand your business Growth isn’t synonymous with the number of employees on a payroll. Embracing a lean, flexible structure allows us to collaborate with top talents globally on a project basis, prioritising quality over quantity. Building meaningful connections and focusing on impactful projects ensure sustainable growth without unnecessary overheads and stress. ???Cash flow is everything How many startups with millions in cash flow get out of business within their first years because they can’t find a suitable business model? I’m going to be old school on that one but a business ‘simply’ needs to be profitable, ensuring a healthy balance between income and expenses. And I’m proud to say that this has been our case since year one. ???Forget about your work/life balance I'm always shocked by professionals who only realise the need to slow down with their work when they find themselves confined to a hospital bed. Contrary to popular belief, success isn't synonymous with burnout. Achieving a fulfilling life doesn't require sacrificing your well-being. Success, to me, isn't about envy-inducing wealth but about waking up each day with purpose and autonomy. My journey has been shaped by experiences, challenges, and a relentless pursuit of balance. For those seeking alternative perspectives on entrepreneurship, I highly recommend "ReWork" by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. A book that challenges conventional wisdom in business and offers refreshing insights. #Business #Entrepreneurship #Strategy #CreativeStudio #BestPractices