Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Lora, Founder of Siesta, located in NYC, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Siesta is a lifestyle (& physical destination) around the act of making time to focus on resetting. Our mission is to inspire moments of R&R (rest & relaxation) through thoughtfully designed experiences and products that don't feel taboo because it's important to take a break.
Tell us about yourself
As a brand builder, I've spent my career juggling full-time jobs and several side hustles. During the lockdown, I suffered extreme burnout. I became nostalgic for a time when my well-being was a priority - back to my childhood - when I was forced to take an afternoon nap for simply looking tired. I found out that 8 out of 10 people in the US have suffered from some form of burnout without any real solutions available.
Burnout is, first and foremost, a cultural issue. Society glorifies the workaholic, and we're here to change that. Looking towards the future, I wanted to build a community utilizing blockchain technology. We're currently funding our brand through an NFT called Do Not Disturb, a collection of 1900 generative Do Not Disturb signs meant for the owner to use as their profile picture when they are actively taking a vacation, OOO, or simply taking a break from social media. Being able to use new technology to build the future we wish to see is what motivates me to learn and build each day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've launched several e-commerce brands before but launching my own NFT project was a huge learning curve and one that I am genuinely proud of.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Getting scrappy. I'm bootstrapping Siesta while we're still in stealth mode. Finding innovative ways to build a brand with little to no capital takes a lot of 'outside of the box thinking.'
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Test your idea first. If you are looking to start a business, make sure you have enough interest to merit the hard work that comes along with the ride.
- Build community first. Similar to the first tip, launching a community of like-minded people is the best way to test out your business concept.
- Get scrappy. Don't be precious. The early stages of testing and building don't have to be perfect. Don't hold back from launching a website, landing page, etc., just because it's not 'perfect.' Owning a business is a game of testing and pivoting until you find what works for your audience/community.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://onsiesta.xyz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichellelora/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsmichellelora
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsmichellelora/
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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