05-26-2024
Why a CEO Does Non-CEO Things in the Business
FILED IN: Behind-the-Scenes, M&G Happenings, Unboxing the Business
Posted By: Jamie Kutchman
Welcome to back to another installment of 'Unboxing the Business,' where I get into the nitty gritty of running creative gifting business, Marigold & Grey. In this real and honest series, I share the behind the scenes moments of keeping a business running and a team flourishing through the highs and lows.
If you follow us on on our @marigoldgrey social media, you know that we share lots of details on our creative design process and glimpses of the gifts coming together, but I like to go deeper and share a real-life glimpse of what goes on as a CEO in the hopes of providing you advice and inspiration for running a business and a life.
Why a CEO Does Non-CEO Things
CEOs aren’t technically supposed to be this IN the business.
Like me, styling all of our e-commerce product shots for our ready-to-ship online gift shop. They’re not supposed to be sitting on the floor for hours on end styling, adjusting, obsessing, tweaking, and creating. But that’s the beauty of business ownership and the beauty of exceptions. You get to decide.
You get to be the exception to the rule when you see fit.
I love this process. It’s a tedious time suck and physically taxing too, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing the end result. The nonstop attention to detail and intense problem solving that are required take my mind off any stress, disappointments, or heartbreak I am experiencing in my life and allow me to escape to our photo room and get in a zone.
I dream up new designs and find ways to refresh long-running ones, directly impacting the bottom line.
The irony is that the longer you’re in business and the more success you have, the further you seem to get from the love of whatever it is that started the business in the first place.
Almost a decade under my belt, retaining this role keeps my hands in gift boxes and connected to my founder roots. It brings me back to that one room in my basement where it all started way back when.
The commitment to setting the standard, getting things just right, and the joy that’s sparked when it’s spot on - all 100% still there.
It’s good for my team M&G to hear me get frustrated when something isn’t working (this may involve cursing, oops!) and then later hear me scream with happiness when I finally get a shot exactly where it needs to be. They pop in and visit and cheer me on and get excited to see all the new come to life on screen. I want them to witness my commitment to excellence just as they are committed to the same in their own roles.
If you’ve been following along on our @marigoldgrey social media, you know I’ve been spending a ton of time in the photoshoot room over the past couple of months, resulting in the largest release of new designs we’ve added to the lineup in years. And I am not stopping so get ready for even more new.
What are some things you do in the business that aren’t stereotypical CEO things but contribute to the bottom line? Fess up.
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