Bring It
Originally posted January 13, 2014 3:47:57 AM
For most of us, every business decision you make requires confidence to know what value you bring to the table matters, but better yet- to also be accepting of the perception / objectivity it takes to accomplish your goals. Of course not everyone is cut from the same cloth. So, what I am about to share is just my point of view. And as I may be biased, Im quite sure this lesson has been shared in conversations around coffee, drinks and by water coolers from those born before the 80's ( those that did it the first time out - not retro). Of these opinions, clearly I am not alone, it seems, are also noticeable in the media by the ill acting celebrities that have the world by a wide audience regardless of age. Thus, finding ourselves-themselves with anxiety between knowing the difference between thinking we/they deserve it now verses waiting your our/their turn, sometimes spawns growing pains. Could it be that we all secretly want to be in a reality show of our own? Or a sign that many of us are trying too hard not to be ourselves. So too, the tide has turned for many in small businesses- they have high standards but had to wait their turn because, alas, they are finally getting recognized for hiring people and now responsible for the shift in a possible accelerating our US economy.
In one of my flipboard reads, a story surfaced about a woman that left her high finance job just before the 2008 collapse to begin her new career as a luxury boutique owner in NYC. She started over at ( some might think) the worst possible time. And then again, why not open up a store since the first two years she would have already anticipated would have been slow...burning through her savings, in Holiday 2013, she now finally just came out of the red. Her bravery is mirrored by her dedication that she should be commended for embarking on living to her potential. Then there is the triumphant example of a long career in fashion - Helena Christiansen. Noted yes, she is stunning, but her work ethic is equally matched to her ability to see things others wouldn't have. Who better to serve as creative director for NYLON magazine after 2008, right? Not so fast, she was not easily welcomed at the start of her transformative career as the decision maker amongst hiring photographers when she began. But she didn't care nor listened to the negativity. While she worked hard to make a name for herself struggling as a photographer she jumped at the chance to work for a new fashion magazine. Bravo to her. Both are good examples of women entrepreneurs that took a chance, took the heat on tuff times, challenged the status quo and stuck to their guns - then WON.
A game changing moment came to me one late evening back in the 1990s, with a call from L'Wren Scott - top stylist to the stars. One of her assistants mentioned they would be needing an extra assistant for a shoot at the crack of dawn and asked if I could show up very early in the morning to work for them. Naturally I accepted. Happily boarding the black sedan they had sent for me - I asked the backseat passenger - wearing dark glasses - what were we shooting and who were the subjects? I got a blank stare, a sigh and no reply. One of the things I learned was not to ask too many questions... Although I didn't care so much as I was excited to share my enthusiasm and gratitude for calling me. It turned out, we sat in the car for what seemed like an eternity...until we showed up at the most magnificent mansion I had ever stepped my Dolce & Gabanna heels in let alone seen!...It took 2 hours to get the Hampton's Estate. I was only told then, we were about to shoot the first very first commercial with famed photog Sante D'Orazio for Victoria Secrets starring Helena Christiansen and Claudia Shiffer ( at the time - highest paid Super Models in the world). My boss- eh...well, not so likable then, but she was under a lot of pressure. Lets just say most of all the people in our group were kind and yes we worked over 10 hour days.
The towering beauties were generous and very normal-not affected. Helena in particular was a gal pal. Lets face it though, if you were about to shoot in your skivvies, it doesn't hurt to warm to those responsible for your appearance. Helena - I have to admit, reached out of her way to chat with me. It could have been that she noticed a lot of tension in the air ( as goes the fashion industry- high stakes = high stress) and snippiness/ ego jostling or whatever happening ergo, she and I would hang out over pizza at lunch. I asked her if she was worried about her tummy bloating after pizza and she simply said "oh who cares - they are going to photoshop the hole thing anyway"...Ha! We shot for 4 days. Helena's career was transformative because she went from the subject being told what to do - where to stand - and how to act in her modeling to becoming the highly successful fashion photographer.
Over the years, I followed her career. Since then, I too have shifted my career. But one of things that stood out from those past experiences was to always remember the incredibly nice people as much as the difficult ones. The suffering which the challenging folks served my way has built my character. I learned to be patient and professional - no matter what. It was the lesson which I learned I had to wait my turn because some day, long after I work hard and long after duties are fulfilled, what says it all is that I was able to put up with all the shit I was dealt. And, because I learned from sitting on the other side, it's much harder for the person above. They don't have the deliverables, then someones head will roll. And, eventually they will value your help. Lastly, I tried not to take myself too seriously otherwise I might not be invited back to the party. I ran into L'Wren Scott at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf ordering coffee in LA some years ago and we shared a really lovely conversation, reminiscing...We talked about both our transitions. She as designer and I in my then first start up denim line.
If you are working as a freelancer, or starting your own business, let others shine. You can be a risk taker and visionary but be willing to allow your ego to go away so that someone else benefits. It could be your competitor or the person you report too, be rest assured someone will notice. This could maybe be your opportunity to the future. Helena and I didn't stay in touch too long after that either. As you can imagine, she was busy... although from time to time I see her at an event and will say hello...not sure she remembers me from way back then...but sometimes New York is a small big city, and we run into each other. I follow her quotes in magazines. Recently, she was asked what she thought of the fashion shows during Spring Summer 2014 New York Fashion Week. Her response "well, I don't usually come to them anymore- been there done that". Only the truly badass can say that about MBFW.
First thing I had learned was to be grateful for any and all opportunities. Second- if you are intending to create a name for yourself in one of the most competitive industries and cities in the world - from the business of technology, fashion and entertainment to the creative design and curation of copywriting, knowing what motivates you to reach that goal is key. I reached my own goals and continue to strive for more challenging risks. I still have my 2001 certificate from the Costume Designers' Guild of America (Little did I know my life would change 6months later, after 9-11), and I look at it often as it serves as a reminder to me that I can and have achieved my goals. I kept the intention to question what is working for me, while working towards helping find solutions I am tasked. As long as you are free to enjoy knowing what you bring to the table, have your skills up to par, and your training or talent, you have to be willing to put in the the time, energy, and education to reach success. Skill and drive together will help you reach your milestones.. anyone can get there.
In 2009 hiring graduates of NYU to join working for us at my then job as VP of Business Development at CAID/VANSKEN a startup from France. Of the various paid interns and employees I supervised, there was one young lady which I had depended on to complete specific tasks to a project. When she didn't show up, I became concerned. She waltzed in the next day to tell me that she had been offered working as a day-player on a television show. Did I fire her? No...I took her to coffee and I explained that if she wanted to work there, she would need to have curtesy to request the day off or to make a case for the reason that she needs to take the day-player gig. I know what its like to have choices...its a good thing...But she was horrified that she had to answer to us. I don't know where that value system of working comes from? I mean - who does that? Alas, I am afraid it wasn't the only time I experienced behavior akin to that. The thing I know now is to value sucking it up even when you feel like your not getting what you want. Your reward for not being self serving and having an air of entitlement will be that you too can look back with integrity.. that you did make it through thick and thin.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: For most of us, every business decision you make requires confidence to know what value you bring to the table matters, but better yet- to also be accepting of the perception / objectivity it takes to accomplish your goals. Of course not everyone is cut from the same cloth. So, what I am about to share is just my point of view. And as I may be biased, Im quite sure this lesson has been shared in conversations around coffee, drinks and by water coolers from those born before the 80's ( those that did it the first ...
