Failing Forward: Lessons in Style and Business

Failure is often viewed negatively, but in this episode, Carmin and Sherry Black share with host Tonya Leigh their stories of failure and how they turned it into a stepping stone to success. Carmin explained how her business, Half United, faced a setback due to a manufacturing defect that resulted in a lawsuit. She realized that the failure was not solely due to external factors but also stemmed from her own decisions and priorities.

Similarly, Sherry Black shared her experiences of encountering obstacles and setbacks in her career as an interior and furniture designer. From relocating from Hawaii to Alaska to launching restaurants in Raleigh, Sherry faced various challenges along the way. However, she emphasized the importance of embracing failure and using it as a learning experience.

Both Carmen and Sherry's narratives illustrate the significance of embracing failure as a stepping stone toward success. By acknowledging their mistakes, learning from them, and making necessary adjustments, they were able to evolve, grow, and ultimately achieve their goals. Their stories serve as a reminder that failure is not the end but a valuable opportunity for growth and improvement in future endeavors.

Talking Points:

02:45 Stylish careers.

05:15 Childhood fascination with glamorous decor.

09:42 Fashion faux pas anecdote.

14:32 Individuality and self-expression.

18:34 Starting a business with $200.

24:05 Bullets turned into jewelry.

28:39 Overcoming failure and resilience.

30:40 Manufacturing challenges and growth decisions.

38:33 Embracing challenges for growth.

44:25 The impact of personal style.

52:13 Taking risks in business.

59:25 Experience stacking.

01:05: Entrepreneurial mindset and resiliency.

01:16: Signature style preferences.

01:22: Mr. Rogers obsession.

01:23: The value of simplicity.

01:27: Setting daily goals for success.

01:30:58 Imagine possibilities beyond limits.

Quotes:

"I have declared that this will be my summer of style."

"I do remember walking into that school and people just bursting out in laughter."

"Yeah. Yeah, Christian, my brother and I, when we started our first brand, we had no money. I am talking no money. Big money buying mugs from Salvation Army."

"Every product that you purchase is giving seven meals to a kid in need."

"I just always see failure as a stepping stone."

"It doesn't matter if it was you or if it was other people or things out of your control, the weather, whatever. It always can be used for your good. So just never, never give up."

"I should not have to go through the employment office to get a job. I was humbled on that."

"All those years later. That's really interesting, because I call that experience stacking, or you can call it skill stacking, where you don't understand it at the time, how it's all going to fit together."

"I believe that entrepreneurs make really horrible employees, like really, really bad."

"You can still look chic in your workout Clothes, you know a cute little ponytail and put on some lip gloss and you've changed the whole vibe."

"But I don't want to have the limited mentality that says, I could never have that. I can never imagine that."

"Style is timeless and it starts with you."

Useful Resources:

12-Week Private Podcast Series: https://schoolofselfimage.com/why

FREE Training: https://schoolofselfimage.com/after

FREE Download: https://schoolofselfimage.com/self-image-manifesto

Sign up for the weekly Edit: https://schoolofselfimage.com/edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach, Tonya Leigh:

Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyaleigh

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyaLeighOfficial