Bet on Yourself

You can’t make this up…“I was 27 years old, climbing the corporate ladder, checking off all the boxes we’re told to check off. But, I was completely lost in who I was and what I desired. I remember crying on the floor of my Wilshire Blvd apartment with a slice of pizza and a glass of wine saying, “please help me.” This was a very low point but it became a turning point. I decided that I needed to change everything and start my own business — ultimately becoming PLATEFIT.  I had no idea “how” I was going to accomplish this, or even how I was going to make a living. I believed that if I kept thinking of how I could serve others, life would open up. 

Shortly after quitting my 9-5, I met Cher. We instantly hit it off, becoming fast friends and shortly thereafter, business partners. Together we opened Studio C — this was the dream, this was the reason I had changed my life! However, after being open just 4 months, she made the hard decision that she needed to close our studio. We shut down the business amicably but I was gutted. I stopped the moment I received the news, closed my eyes and asked for the next right move. That evening, before I went to sleep, I felt a sense of knowing that I was on the right path… all would be okay. The next day, I received a call about a 200 square foot space inside of a gym — one mile from the original location, for $600 a month. I took it! I painted the walls, put up a mirror, and played music from a beatbox. The obstacle I was presented with proved to be exactly where I needed to be on my journey. I opened PLATEFIT 8 years later. 

If I had continued that business with Cher, PLATEFIT would never have been born. I now own 5 thriving studios, have a loving husband, beautiful babies, and deep friendships. Following my “gut and my heart” proved to be one of the best decisions I’ve made to date.” - Rachael Blumberg, Founder of PLATEFIT 

Do you remember the first step you took to pursue your dream? 

I can still close my eyes and feel the exhilaration of arriving in NYC. I moved to the city for a paid fashion internship when I was 18. Paid with an asterisk, that is. My salary was $3 an hour. I slept in a friend’s dorm and on my cousin’s futon for six months. When I finally saved enough for my own room, it was in an apartment with two grandmothers. 

Was it a glamorous life? Depends on if organizing fabric samples and living on ramen qualify. It did to me. I was grateful to be on my path. We’re kicking off the year with inspiration to follow your passion from Rachael and ColorComm Founder Lauren Wesley Wilson. This is how we cultivated the courage to take the leap. 

Four months into my internship, I felt confident enough to ask my CEO for a job. My promotion to design room assistant is what inspired me to create my own brand. If I was going to work that hard, I wanted it to be for myself. I finished work early every day and began designing my line. Women at the company noticed and came together to help me launch.  

I was so proud of my five-piece lookbook and sent it to hundreds of boutiques. Two turning points came shortly after. The first was when actress Jenna Elfman wore my I Love NYC shirt on Jay Leno after 9/11. I went from pounding the pavement to having thousands of orders overnight. The second was a month later when I was fired. My boss knew I was passionate about the shirts and said: “You know what you’re doing. I’m here for you. Go do it.” The next eight months were a crazy ride making shirts and launching my career. 

The more momentum builds, the closer you get to the big question: Am I really going to do this? Lauren shares her journey to yes...

“I started ColorComm in 2011 as a quarterly luncheon series. Who knew that these conversations would be life-changing for some and for myself. I sure didn't. I had a full-time job at a reputable communications firm in Washington, DC. I started ColorComm as a way to find a mentor and be around like-minded women who faced the same challenges and barriers towards advancement. I was one of a handful of women of color at the company where I worked, and did not see one person of color in leadership or at the VP level or above. How could I advance if I didn't see representation at the executive level? 

A year later, ColorComm shifted from a luncheon series to a full-blown national membership organization. Four years later, we produced two major conferences, had membership in 5 cities and were managing over 30 brand partnerships. I was faced with an important decision and the biggest risk of my career. Do I leave my job to grow ColorComm into the business it eventually became, OR do I keep ColorComm at the level it is and conduct it on the side? 

In 2015 and at age 29, I decided to take a huge risk to run ColorComm full time. To lead as a business owner, I learned that having a financial plan was key before leaving my full-time role. Clean up any outstanding debt that you may have, make a revenue plan and timeline, save aggressively, and plan to invest in your first hire right away.

Take big risks. But make them strategic and be prepared for the direction the risk could take (Have a Plan A, B, C). Put all your effort into Plan A. What you focus on will grow and expand. Now 5 years later, we employ over 10 people, have a community of 40k professionals and 50 brand partners, and launched a multicultural agency. I'm proud of the impact we've made as a team and couldn't imagine doing anything else in this critical moment.”

Every entrepreneur channels their energy uniquely in the early days. My approach was outreach - to everyone. I started each day asking: How much can I output to new buyers, websites, PR reps, editors? I trusted that if kept building relationships things would click. With that as my north star, I believed I could do this. 

What I couldn’t continue to do was run out of money. Unlike Lauren, I didn’t start with a financial plan. I was $60,000 in debt when I called my dad for just one more loan. Worried he may never see the money again, he said: I think we’re good here. Call your brother. 

My first call with Uri felt like Business 101. He asked about my production costs, when I got paid, how I got paid. Did I have a bank account? A tax ID? I remember thinking: Hey buddy, I never went to business school! Thankfully, he agreed to help. Suddenly, $2,500 turned into $25,000 and then: You know, I actually need $50,000. As the amount increased, so did his interest in the business. He saw the potential and joined as co-founder. We’ve shared an incredible 15 years together. 

It was just the two of us and an intern at the time but we never burned out. The combination of pursuing your passion and feeling the excitement around it fuels you. Burnout happens when you don’t feel fulfilled. It’s important to have a positive relationship with yourself to gauge that. 

The biggest bet you take starting a business is on yourself. 

What was the catalyst for your career? Share your story in the comments!