Yesterday’s post about the challenges of combining art and commerce reminded me of an essay about small business that I wrote for the Huffington Post in 2012. And, like I said recently, it’s occurred to me that I need to republish all my Huffington Post pieces on this blog, because they could vanish at any…
The Bitchtastic Guide to Business™
Wednesday’s Video: Advice About Advice
I’m continuing my series of YouTube videos about business issues and my advice for this week is to be … wary of advice. Naturally, my advice is an exception to the rule. You should trust me 100%! As I explain in the video, I didn’t take all the bad advice I was offered over the…
Wednesday’s Video: BS Your Way Through a Business Plan
People considering entrepreneurship often ask me if they need a business plan. My answer is, yes, you should have one. My caveat is that it will probably be complete bullshit. Yep, lots of business plans that are full of optimistic bullshit, and that’s true whether they are drawn up by a one-person company or by…
Wednesday’s Video: Career Advice for Disruptive Times
My latest YouTube video is a continuation of my series of job and business tips. This time, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from the my own surprising career path, which took me from journalism to jewelry design. Today I reveal the faulty logic behind two bits of conventional wisdom: That NOT having a Plan B…
Wednesday’s Video: So, You Wanna Start a Jewelry Biz!
My pre-holiday gift to you is going to be a whole lot of business advice! I’m following up yesterday’s post on lessons learned from my three-year Eminem merchandise debacle with a new YouTube video that addresses jewelry-industry challenges. However, once you remove the unusual jewelry-biz issue of consignment from the equation, many of these tips…
A Long and Shady Business Story, Part 2
This frigid Saturday, I felt gloomy. I thought, “Damn, Seasonal Affective Disorder is kicking my ass today!” As I turned on my laptop to Poodle a light box to chase away the SAD, an old registered-mail receipt tacked up near my desk caught my eye. It was addressed to Paul Rosenberg, head of Eminem’s Shady…
A Long and Shady Business Story, Part 1
The Coachella music festival starts tomorrow in Indio, Calif. I’m excited to go for the third year in a row. At the same time, I’m dreading it a little, because I know I will be spending about 10 hours standing in the sun, cheek-by-jowl with kids as young as 13, in order to secure a…
JCK Ponders Amazon’s Potential for Jewelry Sales
Rob Bates, news director of JCK Online, has been contemplating whether Amazon can succeed in the jewelry business. Amazon has had its eyes on jewelry since 2003. CLICK HERE TO READ ROB’S STORY. I’m always thinking that I’ve got to clear out my thousands of old emails, but they came in handy today when Rob…
Good Business Advice on Rue Saint-Honoré
I was in Paris this week. A few days ago, MrB and I were on the fancy shopping street Rue Saint-Honoré, making our way to concept-store Colette. I always visit Colette, though I’ve never bought anything there. I like to look at the fine jewelry cases and point out to MrB where my designs would…
Introducing Eryn and the New Instagram Account
As I mentioned earlier this week, I have hired my very first full-time employee after eight years in business. Meet Eryn Patton! Eryn says her hobbies are “Netflix-ing, yoga on Saturdays, obsessing over miniature dachshunds, reading, constantly seeking the perfect cup of coffee, sketching, and hunting for treasures in thrift stores.” Eryn recently graduated from Auburn…