Q & A with Sharley Neill

West End Renegade

Interview by: Ainslee Nellis

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WHAT IS THE BIGGEST SACRIFICE YOU’VE MADE STARTING OR RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS??

Can sanity be one? Because I feel that in my soul some days! If I’m being serious though, it’s often the time away from the people who matter most in my life. My friends and family who don’t get all of me because I’m running marketing ideas in my head while out for dinner or coming up with new product ideas when I should be enjoying a family weekend. It’s both a blessing and a curse. I hope that one day I can find balance.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO STAYING HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS?

I want to inspire others. Success is great in a monetary way, but I also want it to mean something. Not in a “look at all my achievements” kind of way, but in a way where my kids learn by watching, and others who aren’t sure they can take an idea and turn it into something they can be proud of, can think “if she can do it, so can I.”

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM FAILURE?

That depends on how you define failure. For me I either succeed or I learn. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I’m never going to be all things to all people. I spent a good amount of time in the beginning of my journey trying to people-please my way into the market. It was an approach that had me accepting clients I knew were not a good fit, would some days have me in tears, and other times nearly quitting. I’ve had to learn it’s ok to say no. In fact, my advice to anyone is to get good at it.

WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT GETTING STARTED? HOW DID U RESOLVE IT?

Confidence. I started my business out of survival, not necessarily intention. Starting a business from scratch was the most overwhelming challenge I’ve ever had, but with each success I gained a little more confidence and with every flop a new lesson. At first, I turned to books, blogs and business articles. Now I love an opportunity to network and get around like minded people who fuel my drive to keep going in this industry. I’ve learned my confidence comes from accomplishment. I must be in a constant state of learning.

ON THOSE TOUGH DAYS, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO GET UP AND START YOUR DAY?

Caffeine and bills. (Seriously.) We all have days that suck and to be transparent, sometimes the tough days win and I take a personal day. More often than not though, I focus on the big picture. Where do I want to be 6 months, 12 months, 2 years from now? In order to accomplish that, I have to get up and get after it. It’s not always easy, but it’s almost always necessary. Time to rise and grind!