Growing up rural, Angela Lee began in a one-room, eight-student school with a grandfather telling her to marry rich to be successful. Lee took this foundation to fight for her dream in fashion. With a twenty dollar sewing machine and no industry connections, SHOLDIT, in just under two years, has been featured nationally including The TODAY Show, GMA, Forbes, and sold by top retailers. Now the mission is to inspire freedom beyond products: to encourage others to accomplish their own seemingly impossible dreams.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
Always be a student, yet know when your instincts tell you to be the teacher.
How has your previous employment experience aided your position at SHOLDIT?
My early years of growing up in rural Nebraska taught me to work extremely hard, be efficient, and that you never know when you need your neighbor so be kind, honest, and giving. My first venture, I partnered and expanded a local business magazine which taught me a lot about networking, sales, and managing a start up in general.
What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenure at SHOLDIT?
Taking an idea, a $20 sewing machine, and no industry connections and figuring out everyday "how am I going to make this work?" I've had to learn how to secure patents, register companies, how to source and manufacture, how to hire the right people, understand our customer; both direct and at wholesale, e-commerce, the list goes on....but I love the challenge and surrounding myself with fun and equally driven people.
Why did you want to want to start your own business?
I'm a very independent and stubborn visionary so I knew I would never be hired by anyone else.
What advice can you offer women who are seeking to start their own business?
Imagine it like riding a bull....you get on and it seems calm and then all of a sudden, the gate opens and you're in for the ride of your life where you can't predict how it's going to buck. Everyday brings a new challenge, but I've learned passion will get you anywhere you want to go. Build relationships, but you have to build your own destiny. I think it's important to always look at things as stepping stones and never get comfortable...you have got to be able to forecast and be willing to change.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
What, I have a life? Well...no matter where I am I always try to schedule my day to make sure I've fed my health, my brain, my business, and my soul....well and my German Shepherd, Karma too!
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
Honestly, I think the only issue is confidence. If you want anything bad enough, there are NO excuses....just make your own trail.
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?
I am extremely passionate about mentorship. I have never had one mentor, I have had many. I need to gather as much information from as many people possible and then analyze and follow what my instincts tell me. I am very grateful for all those who have inspired and taken time for me. Thank You!
Which other female leaders do you admire and why?
I want to start by saying I don't believe affiliations should get in the way of finding admiration in people. Inspiration is found in diversity. with that said, I have so many women to name but I feel this is good mix: Megyn Kelly has such confidence and inspiring power of attraction, it's truly incredible. Tory Johnson for her strong will, openess, and passion to help fellow women entrepreneurs succeed. Sally Jewell is an inspirtation for her deep seeded passion for children, the outdoors and bringing them together. Arianna Huffington, obviously...we wouldn't be at this union if not for her achievement. Oprah of course, look at the road this woman built against all odds. And the slam dunk, if I could hire a spokes person for SHOLDIT, the one the only Betty White....seriously, who doesn't love this woman?!
What do you want SHOLDIT to accomplish in the next year?
My goal is to continue to grow the company in the right direction for the right reasons. I have a quote I feel sums up our philosophy fairly well: "The best teams are made up of a bunch of nobodies who love everybody and serve anybody and don't care about becoming a somebody."-Phil Dooley. Nuff said.