story by Rebecca Giese / photo by Jill Snyder, Mixed Metaphor Photography
The other day I was asked, “How do I do it all?” I guess referring to having a retail space, blogging, and design work. Well, the answer is I don’t “do it all.” And if I tried, I would have probably failed.
My secret, which isn’t much of a secret, is that I have an excellent team behind me, with my MVP player being my mom, Laura Giese. After years of struggling on my own. Whether studying for an exam or taking on a project a little too big, I learned the value of finding and working with a team. As important as it is to know your strength, it is even more important to know your weaknesses.
The early successes of Southern’spirations (our retail shop & lifestyle brand) are all thanks to my mom. Not only does she help by upcycling furniture and creating our textile goods, but she is my sounding board, cheerleader and there through all the late nights and early mornings.
Everyone needs a Laura Giese on their team, the person that gets things done and asks the questions that make you think and makes you push the creative limits. Having someone that is so passionate and such a hard worker on the team makes me want to push harder, hit new goals, and grow as a business owner and a person. You can’t find that type of drive or success without a team behind you.
How do you find your team or let go enough to add a team member to your business, dreams, and passions? First, look internally, without being too hard on yourself, figure out your weaknesses and make it a goal to find someone that can fill those gaps. It might be a physical skill, knowledge or a personality trait. The most successful people are not necessarily the most talented or smartest, but what they are good at is creating an All-Star team. I just got lucky that I didn’t have to look far and found my teammate close to home.
Back to School Season!
Tips for Studying for the New School Year
- Learn your learning style. Auditory or Visual? Take an online quiz to learn which learning style you gravitate towards
- Find a custom study technique to go with your learning style.
- Pick the right location to study, maybe a coffee shop, library, or kitchen table. Find the best for you.
- Find the best time of day you are alert to study. Are you a morning person or night owl?
- Plan for studying in your day to day schedule, make studying a habit instead of cramming for an exam.
- Youtube can be your best friend, find diagrams and graphics to explain everything from metabolism to fractions.
- Ask for help. Everyone needs help at some point; ask a peer, professor, or parent.
- Be confident. Once you have put in the time and effort, remember to trust your gut and that you got this!
Currently residing in Hartsville, Rebecca Giese enjoys exploring the Pee Dee area, shopping local artisans, trying new restaurants, and finding inspiration from the history and culture surrounding her. When not out on an adventure, she’s telling stories on her blog, Southern’spirations.