Since January of 2009, I have been writing here on MML, sharing my journey to design my life with intention. I realized quickly that many people wanted to learn more about how I designed my business with intention as well. So I have laid out much of what I’ve learned from growing Jess LC over the past twelve years.
Today I have compiled all the posts by category so you can easily search for topics that may be helpful for other desk job dreamers, midnight hustlers, or small-business owners.
Enjoy!
Overcoming obstacles – In the Past I Have
Motivation – Why Bags? (Or Any Other Dream?)
When you don’t feel like doing it any more – Confession
Crafting the mission – “Specialness”
Purpose vs. career – Removing My Career From My Purpose
Relaxing – Lively Says Relax
Excuses – Getting Off Your “But”
Failure – Success vs. Failure, My Perspective
Taking time to do other things – Turning Off Your Business Mind
Over-thinking – Don’t Trip Before the Start Line
Entrepreneurship – My Philosophy on Entrepreneurship
What to do – My Best Piece of Advice
Starting off – A Letter to Small Business Newbies
Starting a business – How I’d Use $100 to Start a Business
What to do – Why Business is Like High School
When you don’t know what to do – I Will Figure This Out
When things aren’t very good – Why Starting a Business is Like Having Sex
High expectations – Takeaways From the First Three Weeks of Re-Branding
Making connections – Pick Up the Phone
Common concerns starting out – The Biggest Leaps When Going Full-Time
The motivation – Lesson Learned: No “Plan B”
Inspiration from other industries – I’ve Knocked Off Another Company
Strategy – Produce Your Own Success Story
Strategy session – Strategy Session with Susan of Modcloth.com
How to grow your business – Designing a Business With Intention
Measuring success – Annual Review
Free business coaching – Your Very Own (Free) Small Business Consultant
Problem solving – Two Things Smart Business People Know
Launch now or wait? – When to Push and When to Wait
Product development – Focus on the Goods
Design inspiration – How to Steal Like an Artist
Web traffic – Understanding Google Analytics
Organizing online orders – Gmail Order Tracking
Getting into stores – Getting Into Stores
Trade shows – So You Wanna Know About Trade Shows
Everything Wholesale – Wholesaling Insider Interview with Jess LC
Marketing and selling online – How I Succeeded at Marketing and Selling Online
Marketing advice – Marketing Advice for Online Shops
Blogging and business – Blogging and Business Answers
Blogging TV interview – Blogging and Business TV Interview
PR – Designing a Business with Intention: PR
Customer Service – When There is a Wait, Be a Good Hostess
Tricks of the trade – Make it Happen: Realistic Business
Staying Productive – 12 Ways Successful Bloggers, Entrepreneurs, Stay Productive
Budgeting – Finance with Intention: Business Budgets
When things are tough – In the Middle
Email – Email is a Privilege
Email burn out – Why I Didn’t Like Going to Work
Credit cards at trunk shows – Processing Credit Cards at Trunk Shows
Burn out – If You Want to Love Your Job, Leave It
Distractions – Makeunder Your Workday
Extra free time – 16 Things to Do With Extra Free Time
Productivity – How I Get Things Done
Hiring people – When to Hire
Business culture – Creating a Business Culture
A must read – The E-Myth Revisited
Get some rest – Give Me a Break, Every Ninety Minutes
Personal saving – Saving While Self-Employed
Family and career – Be the Best You Are With What You Have
Perks – Field Trips
Health insurance – The Price of Good Health
Who are midnight hustlers – My Small Business Heroes
Boring day job -Â Turning Shit Into Fertilizer
Meet the midnight hustlers – Meet the Midnight Hustlers
Hating your job – Why it’s Good if You Hate Your Job
Midnight Hustler – JoJo of Dancing Classrooms
Midnight Hustler – Piper of One Sydney Road
Midnight Hustler – Kendi of Kendi Everyday
Why I started Business in the City – Live (Free) Small Business Workshop
What it’s like – November Business in the City
All time high – A Pilgrim’s Progress
Where I used to be – Flashback to Jess LC Circa 2001
Why MML exists – Why I Started This Blog
Getting Into Macy’s – Jess LC is Now in Mayc’s Designers of Chicago Collection
How far Jess LC has come – The Progression of Jess LC
I’m sure it took you forever to organize this so THANK YOU! I already have it bookmarked so I can read your whole story from start to finish and refer to it as I make my next move. I left my desk job last week and have so many ideas but so little focus — I can’t tell you how helpful this will be! xx
Thanks so much for the comment and thanks, Mackenzie! Best of luck with your new phase in life!
Jess, this is SO helpful. MML has become one of my go-to resources for inspiration and guidance as I begin the planning process for my business, and it’s really great to have everything in one place. I know you originally started MML because you wanted to write a book on making under, and it looks like you have one right here with all these great posts!
Thanks for this post. I find it very helpful and resourceful; I will be looking through each article. I just came across your blog a few weeks ago and I am inspired as a writer building a freelance writing business.
Thank you.
I love how you organized all of your helpful business advice!
I know what I’ll be reading for the next few days – this is tremendous and valuable.
thank you for the virtual hand-holding!
I just came across your site today and love all of the small business advice, thank you for taking the time to compile it!