On this week's episode of OWN IT, we’re talking to Leigh Chandler of Sister Mary. It’s an exciting time to talk to her because she is in the middle of launching the firm. She’s a native Brit who moved to New York 10 years ago.
Leigh is a traveler and keen observer of different cultures and people, which makes her a fantastic translator to them from brands. We talked about the inspiration behind the name of her company, Sister Mary Corita Kent, her passion for ideas and the motivation to become an owner.
And, of course, we talked about the throws of starting new as she is doing just that. You’re going to enjoy getting to know Leigh, for sure.
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The speaker found significant inspiration in Sister Mary Corita Kent, not just for her powerful, message-driven art, but also for her backstory as a nun who, along with her community, actively defied societal norms and championed their rights in the 1970s. This fearlessness and commitment to learning, teaching, and inspiring, became a guiding force for the speaker's own entrepreneurial journey.
The decision to start an agency was heavily influenced by a coaching session where the speaker was challenged to consider who she trusts most with her future. Realizing that relying on others for job security was less secure than taking control of her own destiny, she embraced the idea of building something meaningful that aligned with her values, making the administrative challenges feel more rewarding.
The speaker, coming from a creative background, anticipated and experienced challenges with the administrative tasks of starting an agency (like finances, contracts, and invoicing). While these tasks were initially daunting and not naturally enjoyable, she found a surprising sense of reward in completing them because they were directly contributing to her own venture. This perspective shift helps make mundane tasks exciting.
Drawing from advice, the speaker emphasizes the importance of designing the agency's operations, culture, and ethos to align with personal values. This includes considering three key questions: how to have more fun, how to be more creative, and importantly, how to make more money. Establishing these principles from the outset helps build a meaningful venture that brings enjoyment, creativity, and financial success.
The speaker highlights the crucial role of connecting with one's network and fostering a supportive community, especially in the early stages of entrepreneurship. These connections, whether new or re-established, provide invaluable advice, emotional support, and practical help, essentially acting as co-workers when starting solo. This outreach combats feelings of loneliness and builds a powerful collective force.
