We recently connected with Brittney Perry and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brittney, 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?
Developing my confidence and self-esteem was a gradual process that largely revolved around getting to know myself better mentally and spiritually over time and also particularly through my experiences in working in corporate sales and entrepreneurship. Working in sales exposed me to the challenging yet transformative dynamics of constant rejection and the need to engage with strangers on a daily basis. Initially daunting, these experiences pushed me to understand the value I brought to the table and to embrace rejection not as a personal failure, but as a stepping stone towards something better. As I honed my communication skills and became more attuned to my strengths and weaknesses, I discovered a sense of authenticity that resonated with others. Recognizing that not every interaction would result in success, I learned to detach my self-worth from external outcomes, allowing my confidence to flourish independently. Through this process, I cultivated a deeper understanding of my own capabilities, fostering a sense of self-assurance
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the founder behind unisex footwear and accessories brand, PerryCo. As an entrepreneur in this industry, I have embarked on a journey to redefine fashion and functionality, transcending traditional boundaries and stereotypes. What sets my brand apart is the unwavering commitment to inclusivity and versatility. In a market often characterized by gender-specific designs, my brand breaks free from the norm, offering stylish and quality options that cater to all individuals, irrespective of gender. We are currently working on releasing more color-ways of our Primeira Runner sneaker as well as adding new accessories for the summer. We are working on collaborating with other brands and artists this year and hope to get more boutiques in the city to carry our sneakers.
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?
In the challenging landscape of the footwear industry, three qualities—perseverance, risk-taking, and the ability to get comfortable being uncomfortable—have been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey. Perseverance has been the driving force during tough times, allowing me to weather setbacks like covid, having a lack of funding, but choosing to keep moving forward. Embracing calculated risks has been something I have done since I was a teenager, but being an entrepreneur is a high risk, financially and mentally. The most transformative quality has been the ability to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Before starting a business, I was more quiet and tried to stay more low key, but nobody is going to represent your brand more than you. I had to get out my comfort zone, put myself out there and tell my story. Doing interviews and photoshoot and pitching my brand to strangers has become the new norm. This mindset has fueled adaptability, enabling me to navigate uncertainty and learn from unfamiliar situations.
For those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, my advice is to embrace perseverance as a constant companion. Challenges will arise, but viewing them as opportunities for growth can reshape your perspective. Embrace calculated risks by conducting thorough research and analysis; this will help you make informed decisions that push your venture forward. I highly recommend finding a good mentor that has experience as an entrepreneur to give good advice and guide you to help prevent some mishaps and make certain decisions. Finally, get comfortable being uncomfortable by actively seeking new experiences and learning opportunities. Stepping outside your comfort zone fosters resilience and a mindset primed for innovation. Success often lies beyond the edge of familiarity. So, take risks, persevere through challenges, and relish the discomfort—your journey will be all the more rewarding for it.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think as an entrepreneur, you have to be more well rounded because more than likely, you will start out doing everything by yourself. This is good at first, because you learn the ins and out of your company, from marketing, sales, customer service, etc.. However, you can only do this for so long. It’s good that you do everything to learn first, because then you have a clear vision of what is needed to help your business grow, but also what you’re good at doing. Eventually, you will need to delegate tasks and put a team together to get more accomplished. Like Steve Jobs said, “great things in business are never done alone. They’re done by a team of people.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.perrycoshoes.com
- Instagram: @perrycoshoes
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/brittney-perryco
Image Credits
Andrew Percival, James Roman II
