We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Mullins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.
Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I try to maintain a balance between discipline and flexibility. I like to set aside time for fun and creative activities, but I frequently have to remind myself that I need to leave room for experimentation and failure. Some days are less productive than others, and that’s okay, but keeping a routine helps me stay consistent and motivated.
When I feel lost or lack the creative energy, I like to step away to do something totally different. If I’m working on newsletter campaigns and feel like I’m hitting a wall or that my brand identity isn’t shining through, I set it aside and pick up something else like working on some social media ads or brainstorming ideas for new designs. This allows me to still be productive without wasting energy on something that just won’t happen as quickly.
Another big thing for me is exploring what other brands are doing. I like to look at the indirect competition to see what new projects they launched or how their websites build their brand loyalty. This way I am always learning something new while also exploring opportunities to grow and evolve. I also talk to my friends and family to get inspiration from them. My husband enjoys brainstorming with me and generally pushes me to test the waters to see what works and what doesn’t. No one wants their business to fail or their creativity to run out, so finding a core group and using them for help plays a big role in your personal success.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Michelle and I am a pharmaceutical consultant and owner of Funky Ace. I have a passion for creativity and style, so with a little encouragement and a lot of support, I decided to take the leap and explore an entirely different life as an entrepreneur of a tennis and pickleball accessories brand.
Growing up, I loved to be creative. I would sit by the windowsill in my childhood home drawing anything that came to mind. I can’t say I was an excellent artist, but I definitely grew to appreciate the creative aspect of design. While in pharmacy school, I began making holiday wreaths and soon enough started a small business making them for family and friends before entering craft fairs and expanding my offerings and network.
About a year ago, I had an idea to bring color, design, and function to tennis and pickleball. I grew up playing tennis, but as the years progressed, there were never many options to “dress up” your racket. As a girly girl myself, I wanted an opportunity to add some personality to my racket. The options I found fell short, so I took matters into my own hands and decided to design my own. I learned a lot about the process along the way; how to source a manufacturer, perform a market analysis, develop a business plan, etc. There was also a lot of self-exploration that took place. I learned to be patient with myself, accept and grow from criticism, and be more assertive in my decision making. Running a one-woman show is not a simple feat. Wearing different hats during the days and nights can be mentally exhausting, but it helped me become more adaptable. My husband has been a huge support system for me, especially on the very difficult days when I begin to question if this was the right move.
When I’m not researching new therapies on the market, or building my brand, I enjoy traveling with my husband, David, and spending time with our families and friends. Tennis is a big part of my life as well and I look forward to any time I can get on the court.
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?
Patience, diligence, and adaptability were all skills I needed to sharpen over the past year:
I learned to have patience with myself and understand that not everything will work perfectly or happen as quickly as I’d like.
I learned that hard work will pay off and there is no such thing as an easy road to take.
I learned to adapt with each roadblock thrown my way.
These are all characteristics I had in some capacity before starting Funky Ace, but I sharpened these tools quickly over the past year.
As far as advice goes, doing your preliminary research before making any decision, big or small, is extremely important. Don’t be afraid to ask too many questions – the only dumb question is the one that went unasked. Lastly, if you feel that your voice isn’t being heard, try a different approach – people understand things all differently.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the past year, I had an idea and saw it to completion. I doubted myself along the way, but somehow pushed through and gained confidence and excitement in the possibilities for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.funkyace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkyace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamfunkyace/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellearousmullins/
Image Credits
Alysha Walsh Photography
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