Bridging Creativity and Commerce for Luxury - Atelier Lenora
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marquelle Turner-Gilchrist, Founder of Atelier Lenora, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Atelier Lenora is a consulting firm centered around bridging creativity and commerce for luxury, lifestyle, and fashion brands through the lens of innovation and research. Our customers, at the moment, are small to medium-sized businesses that need support with amplifying their product offering and ensuring a holistic 360-degree comprehensive approach to connecting with customers.
Tell us about yourself
After moving to LA from NYC last year, I struggled with finding my next role. I had a few conversations, but many opportunities did not align from a salary perspective, or in one particular case, I was offered a role, but the offer was then rescinded. I even had an opportunity where I went through five rounds of interviews for the company to ultimately share they are no longer hiring. I share with people often that I am what you might call an accidental entrepreneur. I am motivated by knowing that my future truly relies on me. I appreciate the ability to choose projects that align not only with my experiences but my passions. This alignment guarantees success and efficiency.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Most recently, I helped a sustainable menswear brand develop a comprehensive go-to-market strategy across an IRL activation, email marketing/CRM, sales strategy, paid/digital ads, brand marketing, and an original influencer program. I feel like we are only as great as our latest "thing," so that inspires me to keep pushing toward new heights and even more exciting challenges.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The most difficult challenge that comes with being a business owner is the unpredictability.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, make sure you have the administrative part of your business settled. Make sure you have the proper business designation, tax forms, bank accounts, and web presence. Second, create an unofficial "board of directors." That board could be one person or five, but these people are those you can connect with to get advice and feedback. Third, promote your business as authentically and as often as possible. People don't know what you're capable of until you show them.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.atelierlenora.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marquelleturner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquelleturner/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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