Suzie Consoli Of Lawson House On How To Successfully Ride The Emotional Highs & Lows Of Being An Entrepreneur
Build a team you trust: Hire people you can rely on and enjoy working with.
Review your numbers: Understand your financials to navigate your business effectively.
Stay creative: Keep a part of what you love about your job in your life to stay inspired.
Find a mentor: Seek advice from those with more experience to avoid common pitfalls.
Know the hats you can’t wear: Recognize when to seek professional help in areas like law and accounting.
Being a founder, entrepreneur, or a business owner can have many exciting and thrilling moments. But it is also punctuated with periods of doubt, slump, and anxiety. So how does one successfully and healthily ride the highs and lows of Entrepreneurship? In this series, called “How To Successfully Ride The Emotional Highs & Lows Of Being An Entrepreneur” we are talking to successful entrepreneurs who can share stories from their experiences. I had the pleasure of interviewing Suzie Consoli.
Lawson House, led by founder Suzie Consoli, is a dynamic marketing and design agency situated in Atlanta, GA, offering services to clients worldwide. Specializing in strategic branding, web design, and high-converting marketing, Lawson House stands as a reliable partner for businesses seeking impactful solutions. With a team of talented graphic designers and story-based marketers, they excel at identifying and tailoring solutions to meet the unique marketing needs of their clients. Lawson House is not just about creating visuals; it’s about laying a strategic foundation for businesses to thrive. On a mission to make entrepreneurship more accessible for all, Lawson House recently announced Launch38, an Express Marketing Program: Designed to deliver a clear message, a beautiful brand, an effective website, and a strategic content plan in one week so you can start generating growth.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
In late 2019, I was in the early stages of freelancing, trading email copy for yoga sessions and other interesting exchanges. By March 2020, like many others, I found myself jobless and decided to ramp up my freelance work while looking for something more permanent. I didn’t have grand plans to start a business, but I needed immediate income to pay our mortgage. I gave myself 90 days to see how things would go. Surprisingly, three months in, my income had tripled due to the high demand for digital presence during the pandemic. Suddenly, I realized I was a business owner, even though I hadn’t set out to be one.
What was the “Aha Moment” that led to the idea for your current company?
Our “Aha Moment” came from recognizing the need for quick and reliable agency services. We developed the concept of “one-day” websites and logos to expedite business launches. This approach laid the foundation for Suzie Marketing, now known as Lawson House, which has since scaled to serve larger companies. Our realization was that people needed agencies that delivered on their promises promptly.
Were you a natural-born entrepreneur or did you develop that aptitude later on?
I believe I was a natural entrepreneur but not a natural business leader. Entrepreneurship came naturally to me, as I loved envisioning new possibilities. However, becoming a business owner and leader required experience and growth, especially in handling challenges and wearing multiple hats.
Was there somebody in your life who inspired or helped you to start your journey with your business?
In March 2020, I shared my plan with my dad, half-expecting him to encourage me to seek traditional employment. Instead, he said, “If the reason you’re hesitant is money, I’d bet on you all day.” His support and belief in me were the push I needed to take the leap and start my business.
What do you think makes your company stand out?
Our commitment to excellence sets us apart. We hear countless stories of other marketing agencies failing their clients. We strive to deliver outstanding service, clear communication, and continual improvement in our client experience, rejecting the churn-and-burn approach common in our industry.
Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Being revenue-driven, visionary, and humble have been crucial to my success. Focusing on profitability and operational efficiency has allowed us to scale and add more team members. Embracing a vision for growth while maintaining humility to learn from others and adapt has been key.
Can you share a story about advice you’ve received that you now wish you never followed?
Early on, I was advised to delegate operations to someone else, as I was overwhelmed and unsure in some areas. I regret following this advice prematurely, as it led to entrusting responsibilities to individuals who didn’t share my vision, causing more harm than good.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them create a work culture in which employees thrive and do not “burn out”?
Creating clear processes and setting expectations can prevent burnout. Our Director of Client Experience, Caroline, taught me the importance of having organized systems, which has led to a sustainable culture and reduced burnout within our team.
What are the most common mistakes you have seen CEOs & founders make when they start a business?
Many CEOs and founders struggle to balance building their personal brand with their business brand, leading to conflicting priorities. Focusing on one path, whether it’s thought leadership or selling a product/service, is essential for clarity and success.
The journey of an entrepreneur is never easy, and is filled with challenges, failures, setbacks, as well as joys, thrills and celebrations. This might be intuitive, but I think it will be very useful to specifically articulate it. Can you describe to our readers why no matter how successful you are as an entrepreneur, you will always have fairly dramatic highs and lows? Particularly, can you help explain why this is different from someone with a “regular job”?
As an entrepreneur, I experience both unlimited freedom and constant responsibility. The highs are incredibly rewarding, but the lows can feel overwhelming. This tension is unique to entrepreneurship, unlike the more stable emotions of a regular job.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “Five Things You Need To Successfully Ride The Emotional Highs & Lows Of Being An Entrepreneur”? Please share a story or an example for each.
- Build a team you trust: Hire people you can rely on and enjoy working with.
- Review your numbers: Understand your financials to navigate your business effectively.
- Stay creative: Keep a part of what you love about your job in your life to stay inspired.
- Find a mentor: Seek advice from those with more experience to avoid common pitfalls.
- Know the hats you can’t wear: Recognize when to seek professional help in areas like law and accounting.
How would you define resilience, and what do you believe are the characteristics of resilient people?
Resilience is believing in the possibility of a comeback and taking action based on hope. Resilient people see challenges as opportunities for growth and maintain a positive outlook even in tough times.
Do you tend to keep a positive attitude during difficult situations?
I aim for a positive, affirming attitude, acknowledging difficulties while focusing on finding solutions. This approach helps maintain team morale and navigate challenges effectively.
What is your favorite inspirational quote that motivates you to pursue greatness?
A former boss once told me, “Regardless of the incentive, we will be excellent. It’s who we are.” This taught me the importance of integrity and doing excellent work for every client, regardless of external rewards.
How can our readers further follow you online?
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!
Suzie Consoli Of Lawson House On How To Successfully Ride The Emotional Highs & Lows Of Being An… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.