We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelly Ipavec. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelly below.
Shelly , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The more we talk about good leadership the more we think good leadership practices will spread and so we’d love for you to tell us a story about the best boss you’ve had and what they were like or what they did that was so great?
Sometimes when you meet someone, you just “KNOW” that they will have a positive impact on your life. That you just “WANT” to know what they know. That they touch others in such a powerful way that you look up to them and strive to stand out on your own as well as learn so much from them. How many of you can say you feel such a way about a previous Boss? I can!
Prior to diving into this journey of being a business owner, I worked at a company I thought for sure would be where I would retire. The support, education and growth offered was the best of the best! I was a Senior Account Executive and Traveling Educator with an alternative investment company. I started as a processor and was promoted to the sales role after a year or so.
When I interviewed for that position, I met John. John is someone that moves with purpose and you can see in his eyes that the wheels are always turning. He was essentially the face of the company. Like an “Alternative Investment Rock Star.” He would laugh to hear himself described as such, but it’s true! Clients, Investors and Team Members would listen to his every word like it was the gospel of improving your pipeline or personal investments. The energy from this man is like no other! Pumping up the Team with positive quotes, sharing data as if it were just daily tasks that anyone could conquer and genuinely being interested in helping all around him. He LOVED to role play calls to overcome objections (which most hated), but I looked forward to them because he pulled from true experiences. If you could slay a role play, you were sure to hit the sales floor and slay the day!
On the Team, we were divided into two smaller teams. One group would directly report to John and the other to Mike. Mike could not be more opposite of John. In all of the greatest ways possible. Mike was like a Ninja! He would magically appear behind you – listening with full focus – to every word you said. He wouldn’t use your words or actions to take negative action rather to build you up! I had the pleasure of sitting directly to Mike. He would center me. When speaking with a client if I found myself in a challenging position, he would help me navigate the conversation without feeling as if I had just made a misstep. He has this magic that helps you see all of the positive in all situations. I also had the pleasure of traveling with Mike to teach many classes across the US. He had the draw of helping those that felt intimidated by the numbers or scenarios of investing feel like ANYONE could do it! We also enjoyed many traveling dinners chatting about not only work and goals but life! Our families. Our lives. And our love for deliciously crafted beer. You just knew that if you had a tough ask, he would listen and give you advice and direction without feeling like you’re questioning your next steps.
Don’t get me wrong. All chats with John and Mike were not full of sunshine and high fives. They also demonstrated tough love and redirection. All without making you feel less than who you are. But reminding of you who you CAN be! Unlocking every bit of potential you had locked up just waiting to explode! These guys were the absolute best and earned full respect from our Team and anyone they interacted with. The decision to leave where I thought would be my forever career was a very hard one and these two encouraged me with true and honest insight. It was like a baby bird leaving the nest. They helped me grow and leave the nest with my most magical and colorful wings ever!
Shelly , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Brushin’ & Blushin’ Upcycled and Custom Furniture was born from COVID. I had always loved art, history, furniture and all things colorful. As a military kid and a past military spouse, you had to learn to be creative with your things rather than your walls. Thrifting and yard sales were a must when living on a military income. But COVID reminded me that creating and doing all things colorful is what makes my heart the happiest.
While working where I thought was my forever career, COVID made connecting with clients heartbreaking. I had too many conversations to count about a client’s loved one or neighbor passing. I became depressed and would often hangup the call and cry. I need a healthy escape. So, my thrifty mind sent my husband to pick up a couple of pieces of furniture that were meant for the trash. They were rough! And I would finish my work day from my home office and then hit the garage to create.
It wasn’t easy. These two pieces took me six months to finish! Every time I “thought” I was finished my self expectation of perfection would get in the way. Imposter Syndrome is real! I broke fingers, tools, my pride a few times and learned to use tools that I still don’t call by their proper names. I listened to all music and drank an IPA or two – and with each stroke my soul was being lifted. I listed them once complete and they SOLD! It ignited a fire that I could not put out! It was now or never so I hit the ground running!
Since opening the business, we have expanded from furniture refinishing and upcycling home decor to also include kitchen cabinet refinishing and interior / exterior painting. My husband and our friends have worked very hard on this journey as well. I am so proud of this little thing called “Brushin’ & Blushin!” We have grown primarily by word of mouth referrals and with the touch of Facebook! Sometimes I am quoting and completing projects that men are expected to do and that’s just AWESOME! I am learning almost daily from my husband new tools, techniques and terminology (which I still call by weird names and hand jesters) and from my peers! There is a whole world out there and I am beyond lucky to be part of it!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Two actually: painting is easy and only grey and white pieces sell. Painting is not easy and takes time, skill and the ability to think outside of the box. You must also be an outstanding listener because what you love is not necessarily what a client will love. There are so many types of paint. Who knew that you could do so many unique things with so may different types of paint and different styles of painting! Also, grey and white is safe, that’s it! Safe may help your pieces sell, but being unique and creative is what builds your clientele, business and reputation. If grey and white is true to your style then own it. If playing in color, textiles and painting with your fingers is your style then do not be afraid to own! I prefer the second!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
We are very fortunate to have built our business on referrals and client loyalty. Social media is honestly just a small piece of the puzzle for us. Without our clients loving us and our integrity our business would not exist. Our goal is to dig deeper into our social media in 2024.
When meeting a client it’s important to create clear and honest expectations. If we cannot meet thier expectations because of timing, experience, or knowledge of a project we let them know up front. We also make honest suggestions while listening to what is most important to them. Sometimes they are blown away and excited to try something they had not even considered prior to our consultation. And appreciate that although what they want may not be my cup of tea yet I will work incredibly hard to give them exactly what they want.
Lastly, once a project is complete, I always remind clients that we offer a Referral Discount. Everyone loves to share what that new credenza looks like or how new and fresh their kitchen now looks like. If their friends or family reach out and let us know that they loved it too they will get the discount! We also have a Loyalty Program. For all future projects we will give them a discount to shareour apprecition of their support. Remember, without your clients you would not exist!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brushinandblushin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushinandblushin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063520842154&mibextid=LQQJ4d