Tizzit Is Live On Showit
We are so excited to show off this launch for Tizzit! When Deb reached out to us, she shared her big vision for a new Showit website. It was a blast designing her new completely custom website. Debβs design is fun, clean, creative and welcoming.
Read our Q+A With
Deb Engelmajer
We got to pick Debβs brain about running Tizzit and what sheβs learned along the way.
βYou can learn all the marketing strategies in the world, but what you will need most is a SUPPORT system. Look after your body, look after your mind. Self-care is everything, don't let your business run you. β
β DEB ENGELMAJER
GOLIVE: WHERE DID YOUR PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY OR CRAFT START?
Deb: My mom is the one who really taught me the value of handmade, artisan work. The beauty of creating something with our hands and cherishing it rather than consuming mass-produced goods. I have done everything from ceramics, painting, weaving, sewing and probably a dozen more myself, so supporting the handmade movement is something that is close to my heart.
What fires me up even more though, is that helping handmade shop owners, crafters, makers and teaching them business skills means than more often than not, I am working with women. Women who are - thanks to their shops - becoming financially independent, supporting their families and taking charge of their lives.!
GOLIVE: DID YOUR EDUCATION HELP PREPARE YOU FOR THE INDUSTRY OR FOR STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS? OR ARE YOU SELF-TAUGHT?
Deb: I went to business school and have a Master's in business and marketing. I actually specialized in online marketing and entrepreneurship (what a surprise! I sure wasn't cut out for the corporate world). I also have a diploma in Graphic Design, so my education helped for sure, but Google did too :-) There's a lot they don't teach you in school, and in those cases our good old friend Google and a "I-can-work-it-out" attitude have been my 2 favorite tools.
GOLIVE: WHATβS THE HARDEST LESSON YOUβVE LEARNED IN BUSINESS?
Deb: Effort isn't always proportionate to results. You have to commit to the work - but don't get attached to the outcome, it isn't owed to you for the sweat equity you put in. You really do have to love the work itself.
GOLIVE: DO YOU WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU WHEN YOU STARTED OUT?
Deb: You can learn all the marketing strategies in the world, but what you will need most is a support system. Look after your body, look after your mind. Self-care is everything, don't let your business run you. Surround yourself with friends, family members or communities who get what you are trying to do, who will show up for you when things get tough, celebrate your wins and always push you forward.
GOLIVE: WHAT WAS THE MOMENT YOU HAD WHEN YOU SAID, βI SHOULD DO THISβ OR WHAT MADE YOU JUMP INTO WORKING FOR YOURSELF?
Deb: I couldn't tell you why, but I think that I never really had any intention to "get a career" or to work for someone else. I wasn't sure what it would look like, but I've always known I wanted to work for myself. I did try myself at a corporate job (I worked at the e-commerce/marketing department of Sephora), only to confirm that it really wasn't the right fit for me. I was miserable, so I quit and got odd jobs to make ends meet while I started freelancing and building my business on the side.
GOLIVE: WHAT THINGS HAVE YOU GAINED/DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN IN YOUR LIFE FROM FOLLOWING THIS DREAM?
Deb: Apart from working from home in my yoga pants you mean? Let's see... the freedom to travel and to live anywhere is probably my favorite thing, but I also love getting up every morning fired up about my work. It's very fulfilling to help others grow their businesses and to get to be a part of their journey. I'm also planning on retiring my partner next year so we can spend more time together and that is worth everything to me.
GOLIVE: WHY DID YOU ULTIMATELY DECIDE TO WORK WITH US FOR YOUR RESTYLE OR CUSTOM DESIGN?
Deb: I knew I wanted to work with you a good year before I actually contacted you! :-) I knew what I wanted and where I wanted to take the brand, and looking at the work you've produced over the years, there was a clear match.
There was no doubt in my mind you would absolutely nail the brief, and you have! I also was looking for a team that would not just understand the "pretty" part of design but also the "strategy" part, so the site would be optimized for leads and sales.