This story is about…
Female Entrepreneur: Natalie Grunberg
Location: USA
Company: www.pantybypost.com
She started her business because: “I had too many great ideas converging and I was going to burst!”
What motivated you to start your business?
I had too many great ideas converging and I was going to burst! If you are creative person like me, it kills you to submerge your real passion in exchange for a day job. I prefer the risks to the regrets I may feel if I continued to ignore my dream of owning my own business. My best friend was the catalyst for me taking the leap. She believed in me and pushed me to take a leap of faith that I would be successful.
Tell us about your business…
PantybyPost.com is an online subscription service to receive a pretty panty every month in the mail. We will ship to you, no matter where you live and every month is a new surprise. The panties come in a cute package, with different tissue every month and a hand written card. It’s the perfect sweet gift for a friend, or occasion, or for yourself (always treat yourself to a little luxury). We have a Hanky Panky bridal line and a Men’s shop.
What is a day in the life of you like?
Each day is different, which is the glorious (but also stressful) part of working for yourself. I thrive on connections and relationships, so I like to plan meetings and calls. Each time I meet with others about business, I feel renewed and I get great inspiration from those talks. I like to wake up, take a walk with my puppy Henri and then return to my desk for a few hours. The ultimate day is peppered with yoga, green smoothies and a visit from a colleague in business. The afternoon and evening, is for getting projects completed and sometimes a bit planning. I answer emails, take calls and do some operational work every day. Clear as mud?
What have been your biggest challenges so far with running your business?
My biggest challenge in life and in business is listening to myself. It is easy to doubt, but if you trust your gut you can make decisions in line with your own personal ethics. Now it takes time to get to that point, because listening to yourself is not a skill our culture teaches, and it IS a skill.
How did you overcome these challenges?
To overcome challenges I consult, I vent and I walk. When you go for a walk, you can come up with solutions to your problems.
What have you found to be the most effective way to get new clients?
The best way to get new clients is to cater to the ones you have. Treat each customer like they are your only one and they will tell all their friends about your company. I also thank PR for generating buzz about my company.
What advice would you give to other business owners?
The advice I would give is: don’t give up, working double time, trust yourself, but seek good advice and mentors, don’t be afraid to change because it’s the little improvements that make a great company into a BIG one!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I am internally motivated, so I wake up wanting to improve my business. I practice yoga and have a supportive family. My brother is also in business, so I get a lot of satisfaction from both of our success.
What’s your favourite quote?
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
Obama used this phrase in his campaign and I love it. It implies that we must seek the wisdom from within in order to make change.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by my guru, my dear dad. He has been battling leukemia for many years and has grown even more wise because of his difficult journey. He grew up in Romania and made a life with my mom that is awe inspiring.
Do you have a business philosophy?
My business philosophy is to treat every employee, customer and business connection with respect and love. I learned this lesson the hard way. No amount of money or success can change a hurt you have caused another person. There is no top to crawl to, there is only now. Success is how many close friends you can count, not about the money in the bank.
Get in touch…
Website: www.pantybypost.com
Twitter Name: pantybypost
Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/pages/pantybypostcom/
