Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carly Llewellyn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Carly with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I’ve always been a high achiever, and somewhat of a perfectionist. Before starting Tangerine, I worked for 15 years in communications, public affairs, and technology marketing roles. All of those jobs were high paced environments, and my work ethic was largely driven from my own desire to achieve and be recognized for that hard work.
Running my own business has been a totally new and exciting experience. I would say I have an even stronger work ethic – but it’s no longer just about my own performance. Now, I am driven by my love of the business and what we are building, the need to provide for my children, and the desire to create something that is meaningful. Every day I wake up ready to tackle the day and every day looks totally different, whether that means designing new paddles, negotiating a brand partnership, or having to stop what I’m doing to be a mom.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My husband and I are the cofounders of Tangerine – a fun and colorful pickleball brand. During covid, I was looking for safe ways to spend time with friends and family, and started playing a ton of paddle, pickleball, and tennis. I quickly realized that while there were a ton of beautiful and well designed products for tennis, there were very few options for pickleball and paddle. So Tangerine was born! We first started with our classic tote bag and added pickleball paddles later that year.
I have always been someone who loves being creative, and I didn’t have the ability to express that in my previous work environments. Now, I am responsible for building a brand and developing beautiful products and designs that make our customers feel amazing when they are on the court.
One of the most exciting parts of the business has been our brand collaborations. From J.McLaughlin, to Rothys, to the Four Seasons, I love working with partners to bring their brand and story to life through our products. We are working on several new partnerships for 2024!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1, Your business doesn’t need to be focused on your biggest passion, but it should be something that excites and motivates you. In the past, I’ve worked in many different industries, from energy policy, to climate change, to retail, and it is way easier and more fun to get up and do work every day if you care about what you are doing.
2. Really get to know your customer. The world of pickleball is huge, but we aren’t focused on the professional athletes. Our goal is to excite and delight the people that want to be active, want to see their friends, want to get outside, and want to have fun while doing it. I always think about my friends or my peers when I’m coming up with a new design or product idea.
3. Look for pain points in your daily life. Not every business idea has to solve a global problem. Identify something that you don’t like, or you are struggling with, and figure out a better way to do it!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
One of the best parts about running my own business has been having the opportunity to take breaks for myself during the day. When I was working in a more corporate environment, I was on calls all day. I would wake up, be a mom, get the kids to school, and then have to sit at my desk from 9-6. It was incredibly draining and over time, it became harder and harder to be creative and come up with new ideas.
Now, I still have many moments of stress or times when I feel overwhelmed by something that we are dealing with. But I have the space and opportunity to take real breaks. Whether that’s just going for a quick walk, prepping a meal for my family in the middle of the day, or grabbing a coffee with a friend, I can do something else outside of work that I love and that grounds me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tangerinepaddle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tangerinepaddle/
Image Credits
Jhon Ochoa Ben Watts (Addison Bay photo)
