We were lucky to catch up with Marta Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.
Marta , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My grandma used to say. The harder you are thrown, the higher you bounce. Sometimes when I am stressed I close my eyes and visualize how I can bounce back and what that is going to look like. I think about all of my challenges and hardest moments and realize they have really shaped me. Of course in the moment I wish I could have not suffered that heart ache, but in retrospect every tough situation I have been in have forced a positive evolution. These lessons have definitely made our company stronger.
Also, when I am going through a hard time, I always try to think about the good in my life at that exact time – and know that I cannot wish something away. For instance, if I have a mean client and just want to finish the project and press fast forward then I think….well if I fast forward that project, I will also fast forward the summer I have with my kids. I think about how I only get 18 summers with them before they are adults and I want to savor each one. So if I fast forward the yucky project then I also fast forward something I love. Life is yin and yang and I think the challenges allow us to appreciate the special moments too.
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?
I always wanted to work in fashion. It started off as my hobby and has become my career, so I feel very lucky to get to do what I love. My professional focus is always on the success of our clients. We succeed when they succeed. Lefty has grown over the years to add more capacity and more capabilities in order to provide more of what our clients need to succeed. I bought Stitch Texas in part to extend the work we do at Lefty to brands and designers across the South. Stitch Texas provides one-stop-shop development services for our clients and is now also handling some production, while Lefty handles the rest. Our Texas clients now have domestic production resources that they never would have had otherwise.
I’m a business owner with three kids and a husband, so my extra time goes to them. When I’m not collaborating with our wonderful clients, I’m with my family, hiking, boating and otherwise enjoying the great outdoors in the wonderful city of Austin. My family gives me the strength to do my best work for our clients and our clients allow me to provide for my family. It’s a beautiful circle!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The biggest lesson I have learned in the last few years is that people perform better when their motivation comes from the inside. In the early days of Lefty, I felt I needed to micromanage the team, pushing them, looking over their shoulders, and generally just applying pressure that was ultimately counterproductive. During the pandemic, when we couldn’t all be together, the Lefty team exceeded every expectation. I couldn’t believe how well everybody performed, banning together, solving problems, and taking the initiative. From that point on, I have led from a place of trust, believing in my team to make the best decisions for our clients and the company. Not only is Lefty now bigger than ever, but everybody is happier. They take ownership of their work and do an incredible job, not to make me happy, but because they take tremendous pride in their work and are capable of amazing things. The way to get the best out of people is to let them fly.
The next lesson is to set goals, no matter how small. Then be proud of yourself every step of the way. When I first drew $5K of profit in 2016, I was elated. I had owned the company for four years, and this was the first time I actually made enough profit to put some in my pocket. It was $5K, but I treated it like $500K. I have learned to celebrate every milestone, because success is not guaranteed and every step is an accomplishment. Some brands get frustrated if they don’t have immediate success, but building a great company is a journey and it doesn’t happen overnight. You’ve got to constantly push yourself to be your best and then take the time to celebrate your wins, even if your ultimate goals are much bigger.
And last, having a great support network is key. Having people around that support you, believe in you, and allow you to grow, is invaluable. When my head fills up and I’m not sure what next step to take, I rely on my husband most of all. He is my sounding board, and a fresh set of eyes and ears for every problem that arises. I have learned that I cannot solve every problem myself or be stuck in my own head. Talking and strategizing in a supportive environment, with people who want you to achieve your goals, has a magical way of clarifying a situation and lighting the path forward.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
I have learned so much from our clients and I try to live my life based on the lessons they have taught me. Nothing is more important to me than gratitude and collaboration. I love working closely with a client and watching their vision come to life. But the most important lesson I have learned is that projects have energy. It might sound ridiculous, but I have helped build over a thousand brands and I promise it is true. Clients that come to us that are not kind and gracious, or nickel and dime the project every step of the way are never successful. The negative energy surrounds the project and often I look them up years later to learn that the brand is out of business. The fashion industry is hard, and each garment produced has so many elements that can potentially not go right. But the brands and leadership behind those brands that are smart, creative, understanding, flexible with their thoughts, kind and gracious usually win. I have had so many clients be wonderful over the years and I am so fortunate for those brands. Their energy and gratitude motivates us to constantly improve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leftyproductionco.com
- Instagram: leftyproductionco
