Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jane Holland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jane, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I think we all start out as little imposters in the very beginning of our business journeys. We’re winging it a little, really focusing on looking the part and “passing” as the real deal. Fake it till you make it is real. Because how else does anything start?
As we move forward to actually becoming the real deal, we expect that imposter feeling to go away. But sometimes the thought seeps into your psyche years after you’ve opened your business: “Wait, am I a fraud?”
People will tell you to do your due diligence and business research to get over imposter syndrome. Though this is necessary in any business, it doesn’t always help the imposter ickies. Hell, even many CEO’s claim having the feeling.
The feeling creeps up on me still from time to time. But then I remind myself that real imposters never question themselves about being frauds because they KNOW they are. Real business owners, on the other hand, question themselves all the time because they’re constantly trying to level up their business. Every time we “upgrade” our business and find ourselves in a grey spot where we don’t fully have a grasp of what’s going on, that icky-impostery feeling starts creeping up again because it reminds us of when we first started out.
Small business owners have a lot in common: If we don’t know much, we’re open to learning. While we make mistakes, we take accountability for them. We don’t recoil at the first, second, or one hundredth problem that comes up. Honestly, that doesn’t sound like any charlatan I know.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Seventh House is the antique & vintage jewelry business I started in 2022.
Seventh House, or 7H, deals exclusively with private estate jewelry collections. We intercept just before owners resort to liquidating their collections to pawn shops (heavens no, am I right?!). So what’s special about these jewelry pieces? Besides being one of a kind, jewelry like this isn’t made anymore.
Someone’s jewelry collection is coveted pretty highly, not in a materialistic way, but in a sentimental way. This is jewelry that’s been passed down for decades. Jewelry’s got a hell of endurance and resilience to last so long, and more personal than anything else you’d wear.
The 7H brand emphasises self gifting, slow shopping and intentional gifting. The packaging is all reusable and gift-ready since jewelry is always something to be celebrated. 7H prides itself on exceptional customer service, with a direct line of communication from client to owner to deliver an experience curated just for them.
For those who follow my brand on instagram, I do exclusive perks just for them; they get first dibs all new inventory before it gets listed anywhere else. They get exclusive discounts just for them. They get to vote on what they want to see in my next jewelry drop so I curate collections based on immediate wishes. Just as they get dibs on new pieces, they get to grab pieces before they go “out” to melt.
Restocks are done by seasons; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The Summer Collection is dropping this July ☼
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If you have a business, try to take on every employee role at least once. The ones that know the most about a business are usually at the “front lines” –like front desk or customer service– not the busy owner digilently working in the back.
Directly speaking to your clientle will always give you a clear directive on future business decisions. Entrepreneurs rely on huge marketing budgets for this very thing. In the beginning when you don’t have capital for marketing, try to talk to as many people as you can.
Don’t listen to everyone. Once you open your business, you will be bombarded with business advice from family to friends to random internet folks who seem to know everything. Too much information can be debilitating, so drone out the noise and understand there are no shortcuts. Just take it day by day.
For folks who are early on in their journey- no matter how small you think your venture might be, it will grow beyond your expectations so long as you commit. I thought my idea for a jewelry business would be a side hustle but more doors opened than I could have imagined. When I built my business, many owners wanted to liquidate their jewelry collections. I ended up with so many varied styles and types of jewelry. I was able to support other shop owners by wholesaling to them, stocking their inventory and curating special collections just for them. I never expected that on a macro level, I would be helping other businesses. So see what happens!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My husband is the silent partner in my business and quite honestly my backbone. Small businesses have a big impact on your life because they can really easily become your life. Without being able to “clock out” it’s easy to get caught up working weekends or until 10pm at night. He’s always supported me, but also gently guided me away from work when I’m clearly overwhelmed. He’s talked me down when I’ve felt the impostery-ickies kick in, or when I wanted to radically pivot my business model at 2 o’clock in the morning.
But to be frank and maybe a little improper, I would feel remiss if I didn’t mention this. In every line of work I’ve been in, I’ve always encountered weird or rude customers. When you’re someone else’s employee, these people always seem easier to deal with. But when it’s your business, it could really knock you sideways. Overall, I’ve had an incredible experience with people, but jeez, I’ve really met some unreasonable peeps.
My husband was the one to literally coach me through saying no to people. Some people get fussy or even upset, but I’d rather say no to something I can’t do, then overextend myself and then hate myself for it later. I’ve learned it’s impossible to stay in business if you say “yes” to everybody.
I’m still learning, but I’ve come a long way from putting my foot in my mouth to putting my foot down. And I totally have him to thank for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeventhHouseVintage
- Instagram: @s.e.v.e.n.t.h.h.o.u.s.e
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seventhhousevintage
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/seventhhousevintage/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
