Hi All,
Katie Lorenz, the Founder of Campo here. For these next two weeks I will be writing about the lessons that I have learned while starting Campo. Please feel free to write questions, comments, or lessons you’ve learned in the comments.
I will start off by saying I have learned a TON while starting Campo. This meme is one of my favorites.
All joking aside, I consistently tell people that this experience has taught me more than anything else that I have ever done. I will share two topics each blog – so SIX key learnings. Hopefully these may help you or let you know that other people are going through the same things.
#1: You don’t know what you don’t know
I was a consultant for Retail and Consumer Products Companies for many years. When I decided to start Campo there was a part of me that thought “I got this! I’ve been on teams that advise some of the most successful retailers in the world.” Oh boy…
Building something from square zero and seeing it come alive is incredible! Incredibly difficult, humbling, exciting and rewarding. Very quickly I learned all of the things that I didn’t know.
- How much content is needed to create and build a brand
- The perils of international shipping
To name a few. Something I did know is that I had the ability to figure it out. This was probably the greatest learning for me, I have the ability, dedication, connections, and knowledges to figure it out. Whatever IT might be.
#2: Ask for help
This was and is a hard one for me. Having the courage to ask for help is hard for everyone, but especially all of us Type A personalities out there. I have learned the value of having a list of connections, mentors, advocates, friends, family, etc. and knowing who to ask for help and for what. There are many humbling experiences and one of my favorites is when so many of the people I have met along the way have stepped up to help me and get Campo off the ground. The generosity of my friends and family has been amazing. I am so happy to have people in my life that help me make my mission come true.
My advice: Make a list of people and starting sharing your vision with them. They will give feedback, help, criticism all of which are useful to starting a business.
More lessons and learnings to come!