Small Business Q & A
1. How long have you been in business?
Almost 8 years! I was still working full-time in advertising when I started my company in 2012, and then launched Minnidip in 2017... and quit to go full-time Minnidip in January 2018.
2. What are the unexpected positives of having to work from home?
I've actually been working from home since launching my company, so not too much has really changed on the day-to-day. I've been working in sweats and top knots since 2018:) My favorite part of WFH is having my pup, Bananas, as my coworker and clearing my head on walks with her throughout the day.
3. Have you set a schedule or stuck to a routine? And if you have a routine, what’s your fav new routine?
I have the same routine now that I've had since working from home, full-time on Minnidip in 2018. Except weekly in-person meetings with my team are now on Zoom. And a 4 pm cappuccino break (our espresso machine purchase in January has been a lifesaver during this) is what I look forward to every day.
4. What are you doing to stay creative during your free time?
Normally I would find creative inspiration while being out and about in Chicago or while traveling during my free time, but now I'm going through old photos on my phone of things I was inspired by weeks, months or years ago (inspirations that led to ideas that I may have completely forgotten about). So now I'm going through those and creating mood boards, making sure to write down any idea that pops up in my head. Planning ahead is always when I feel the most creative.
5. What’s your ‘go-to’ Netflix show?
The Office, always and forever on repeat in the background. RIP Friends on Netflix.
6. Send us a picture of your WFH space!
1. How long have you been in business?
We started our business online in 2014
2. What are the unexpected positives of having to work from home?
I have two kids so working from home is almost impossible (they are almost 2 and almost 6), but I will say that spending more time with them is a real blessing. We have done lots of crafts and creative thinking - which I always feel applies later on to the everyday life of an entrepreneur!
3. Have you set a schedule or stuck to a routine? (Y/N ) And if you have a routine, what’s your fav new routine?
We don't really have a routine, but I do like to get into the office at least 3x a week right now (to help fill orders, etc). The two routines we stick with our coffee in the morning and some type of cookies or brownies at the end of the day! I look forward to those times :)
4. What are you doing to stay creative during your free time?
Our company continues to create new products even remotely and our team has worked SO hard at creating cool things (screensavers, contests, coloring sheets), So that has been a cool new challenge for us! We hope these little moments of brand awareness will help us stay in front of our customers!
5. What’s your ‘go-to’ Netflix show?
REAL into Grace and Frankie right now. REAL INTO IT. I don't do murder mysteries or anything that causes me stress. I also watch a decent amount of stand up (well the same ones over and over) like Ilizia Schlesinger, John Mulaney "New in Town" and Mike Birbiglia "The New One"
6. Send us a picture of your WFH space!
1. How long have you been in business?
We celebrated 4 years in late March!
2. What are the unexpected positives of having to work from home?
Our business started in my home office, so it feels like I am going back to our roots. I am enjoying the 15-foot commute from my bedroom to my office each morning :)
3. Have you set a schedule or stuck to a routine? If you have…what’s your fav new routine?
I have kept to my usual routine as much as possible with a quick brush of the hair and touch of mascara (I miss you lash extensions!), brew my morning coffee, light a candle and hop on our daily team FaceTime call to set the tone for the day.
4. What are you doing to stay creative during your free time?
My husband is quite handy, and we just finished a small home project and upgraded all of the interior doors and put the final touches on last year's bathroom remodel.
5. What’s your ‘Go-To’ Netflix show?
I'm a big Hulu girl and have been catching up on all of my RHONY and Bravo shows I have neglected over the recent months.
6. Send us a picture of your WFH space!
Oh boy -- I have given you a corner of it because it is MESSY right now.
