We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erinn Nowlin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erinn below.
Erinn, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I have had the distinct honor of being not just the only woman in some spaces but also the only woman of (any) color. I keep this in mind when I am in the room, with every word I speak and every action I take. Preparation helps me to be successful in these spaces. That includes understanding the purpose of meeting, what are the goals that we are aiming to reach before we are dismissed, I come with ideas already prepared and I ask clarifying questions to show I am actively listening and engaged in the conversation. I make sure my presence is felt without hijacking the meeting. Thankfully, in most situations, I have had the opportunity to demonstrate my expertise prior so I am not often met with pushback. My personal and professional brand is important to me and I have managed to not have to create a different version of myself for each in order to be effective. I ensure that the voice I am using is specifically mine.
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 am a lover of all things creative and appreciate all forms of art, including painting, graphic design, cooking, music, and dance. These loves have manifested in several business endeavors with creativity at the forefront.
Beautifully Bombshell, launched in 2016, is a beauty & makeup blog created from a constant need to find the next go-to beauty products and share them with as many people who would be willing to listen. The core content includes product reviews, beauty tips, and tutorials, with room for so much more! Beautifully Bombshell’s mission is to serve as a hub for all things we love the most and to educate those who want to learn along the way. It also doesn’t hurt to have a little fun.
52 Week Creative started as a personal challenge to create and ultimately push me to start and complete one new creative project every week for an entire year. What it evolved into was an online e-commerce site to showcase and share my art with the world.
Starberry Cabin was born from the desire to make wedding planners that made spouses-to-be feel seen and read like a conversation with a good friend. We are excited to release our first version of the workbook in 2023!
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?
I would have to pick patience (quality), problem-solving (skill) and technology (area of knowledge) were the most impactful to my journey. I am patient with myself in my creative process and the time it may take to reach what I consider success. Everything happens when it is supposed to and if I forget to be patient, I may quit just when things are about to get good. My ability to problem-solve has been my superpower. What it allows me to do when paired with my attention to detail it minimizes risks and exposures proactively rather than reactively. And for my sanity and the environment, I try to keep things as automated and low waste as possible, with the help of technology. I have to admit that keeping up with all the new pieces of tech that come out can be hard but just sitting and learning the basics can go a long way.
No matter what stage you are in your journey, you can work to improve in an area where you are lacking. You can also have the foresight to hire someone who has the skill sets that you struggle with. There is nothing wrong with asking for help and delegating work. What is the point of working so hard you don’t get to enjoy the fruits of your labor?
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I LOVE meeting new people and any chance to collaborate is welcomed!
For Beautifully Bombshell, I typically collab with brands for product reviews or user-generated content (UGC). I am open to collaborating on creative makeup ideas, challenges, trends with other beauty creators and always open to brand collabs.
With Starberry Cabin, we are hoping to eventually be able to share our workbook with bookstores, wedding venues, and wedding vendors, specifically wedding coordinators.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beautifullybombshell.com
- Instagram: @beautifullybombshell / @starberrycabin
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