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Take a walk down the path of these entrepreneurs, business owners and progressive women.
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MALENE BARNETT
Design Director[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”5″ accent_color=”#e3672b” css=”.vc_custom_1460496937176{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Website:
Social Media: [dt_social_icons animation=”none” alignment=”default”][dt_social_icon target_blank=”true” icon=”” /][dt_social_icon target_blank=”true” icon=”twitter” link=”http://twitter.com/malenebcarpets” /][dt_social_icon target_blank=”true” icon=”instagram” link=”http://instagram.com/malenebcarpets” /][/dt_social_icons][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5695″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Malene Barnett is the founder and design director of , a company specializing in handcrafted custom carpets, inspired wall coverings and artisan tiles. Her luxe creations have enlivened premier hotels, iconic office buildings, and sophisticated private spaces. A cultural enthusiast and passionate entrepreneur, Malene collaborates with international artisans. She also avidly shares her business sense with creative entrepreneurs via her e-guide series, public speaking engagements, her Huffington Post and Design Sponge columns, and her interview spotlights in both national and international press, including print, web, TV and radio. Experience her celebrated collection at .
We had a chance to find out more about this innovative entrepreneur and her inspiring journey.
What steps did you take to start your business?
I’m really big on doing research, especially on the Internet. Before Google was popular, I researched the industry 10 years prior to launching my brand, which I highly recommend to everyone who wants to start a business. In addition, I worked as a contract designer for large manufacturers for more than 10 years, which is how I learned about the rug industry. During my years as a contract designer, I absorbed industry knowledge and developed relationships with industry professionals. In addition to overseeing the logistics of registering my business, I also invested in a branding consultant to help clarify my brand mission. Then, I developed a collection of designs, sourced manufacturers, identified my target market and signed up for my first trade show to launch my collection.
What did you do before this and is this your first business?
Before starting Malene B, I was the lead designer and marketing manager for a textile manufacturer. Then I was hired as a carpet designer for a rug manufacturer. I learned early on that the idea of working full-time for a company didn’t fit with the flexible lifestyle that I wanted. So I quit my full-time job, traveled to Southeast Asia for three months and returned as a contract designer for home textile manufacturers. I designed textiles and rugs for many companies and designer brands, including: Nicole Miller, Martha Stewart, Karastan, Marcus Fabric and Liz Claiborne. The collections I designed were distributed in major retail stores such as Macy’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and JC Penney. This experience was my first entry into entrepreneurship because I had to manage my own schedule and constantly juggle multiple projects to keep my income flowing.
I’ve had many businesses that involved selling my art, but I consider Malene B my first formal business.
What is one thing that really helped you with starting your business?
A few years before I launched Malene B, [bctt tweet=”I invested in a branding consultant to help identify my brand mission via @malenebcarpets” username=”womeneur”]. Once the mission was clear, it helped me to make informed decisions on how I wanted to grow the business. I have a brand blueprint that I still refer to 10 years later.
What are your biggest business ownership fears?
My biggest business ownership fears are not being able to take care of myself financially. Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs and so does cash flow. However, I understand that this is part of the journey, and I don’t allow it to dictate my well-being. I face the fear head-on, and accept that it’s normal and simply a part of the entrepreneurial process.
What do you do to stay motivated when you feel like giving up?
I think about the bigger picture of what I really want to accomplish. Having a social media following is also helpful because on the days when I feel like giving up, a comment from a social media fan helps me to refocus and reminds me of the purpose of my business. I know that my business is about the people I serve, and with this understanding, I do my best to fulfill those needs.
What do you enjoy the most about business ownership (what’s most rewarding)?
The most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur is being able to provide people with products that make their lives and homes meaningful.
What do you enjoy the least (what’s least rewarding) about business ownership?
I wish I didn’t have to juggle so many roles. But I believe that if I weren’t able to handle everything, then the opportunities wouldn’t be coming my way.
If you had to do it again, what (if anything) would you do differently?
I would hire a full-time assistant to help manage the business. In the beginning, it’s hard to hire people when finances are tight, but I do see the value in having someone to assist you with the day-to-day operations. But I also believe that every business decision I’ve made has and continues to shape my business, and I needed to experience everything I’ve gone through in order to determine my next move.
What’s one thing in business you cannot go one day without using?
Instagram — I’m addicted! I also use Google Drive to access my files every day. (I know, that’s two things.)
What’s your secret to cultivating a good relationship with your customers/clients?
There’s no secret to it! Just be transparent and real with your customers. That is how I live my life, so I don’t do anything differently with my clients. Remember that you can choose the people you want to work with, and that not everybody is (or has to be) your customer.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I see my business based somewhere in the Caribbean. I also see multiple product categories that will expand my brand into a lifestyle company with a global reach. In addition to products, I also foresee spaces that embody the Malene B lifestyle.
What are 3 tips you can share with anyone wanting to be a business owner?
- Buy property before you start your business.
- Invest in an accounting software to track your sales.
- Be true to yourself, know your purpose and don’t be easily swayed.
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