We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matty Parson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Matty, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
During my school years and early adulthood, I was constantly bullied for my interests, appearance, and perspectives which caused me to feel the need to conform and fit in. This resulted in me changing my identity to align with what I thought others wanted to see, in hopes of gaining acceptance and love from those around me.
However, as I reached my thirties, my mindset began to shift. I realized that seeking approval from others had taken up too much of my time and energy. I made a conscious decision to stop caring about what others thought of me and instead focused on being happy with my true self, even if it meant losing friends or disappointing family.
The turning point came when I met a group of supportive and understanding friends who accepted me for who I am. These friendships were built on mutual respect and an appreciation for individuality. As I stopped trying to please everyone, I discovered that those who truly cared for me were drawn to my authenticity.
Although it was a long journey, this new attitude helped me gain self-esteem. I learned that my interests, the way I dress, or my appearance do not determine my worth as a person.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the owner of Velvet Ghost, a goth and alternative-style clothing, accessories, and home decor boutique in Clarksville, Tennessee. At our store, we embrace individuality and cater to those who have a unique sense of style. We take pride in being size inclusive, offering a wide range of sizes from XS to 5XL. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can find something that makes them feel confident and comfortable. All of our clothing is considered unisex, breaking down traditional gender norms and allowing everyone to express themselves freely. Recently, we released our very own children’s clothing line, called Halloween Hooligan.
But we’re more than just a store. We’re a hub for creativity and community. We regularly host events like spooky sip and paints, animal bone art classes, and butterfly taxidermy classes. We also organize the annual Clarksville Halloween Market with over 60 vendors, artists, food trucks, and more.
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?
I think as a small business owner, it is crucial to possess qualities such as persistence, flexibility, and patience. These traits play a significant role in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.
Persistence enables you to push through any obstacles that come your way, learn from setbacks, and continuously improve your strategies.
Flexibility allows you to adapt quickly to unforeseen circumstances. Being open to change and willing to modify your plans can make a big difference in moving forward.
Building a successful business takes time and patience. Rushing to establish a brand, build a customer base, and see consistent profits can lead to hasty decisions that could jeopardize your business’s future. Maintaining a long-term perspective is essential to support the growth of your business over time, and patience is the foundation that helps you achieve this.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Our company just celebrated its one-year anniversary on August 13, 2023, making us a young company. Our primary challenge lies in getting our name out there since we lack a substantial marketing budget to compete with larger corporations. Nevertheless, our local spooky community has been a tremendous help by sharing our events and posts with their loved ones. We are incredibly grateful for their support.
Fortunately, I hold a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing, which allows me to handle most of our social media responsibilities, work with publications, improve our website’s SEO, and promote Velvet Ghost. These tasks consume a considerable amount of time and often hinder my work-life balance, but I’m gradually improving my time management skills and learning to disconnect from my phone to be more present with family.
Contact Info:
- Website: velvetghostshop.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/velvetghostshop
- Facebook: facebook.com/velvetghostshop
Image Credits
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