25: What does it REALLY take to run multiple businesses? w/ Zoelle Devlin
ZOELLE DEVLIN: Jewelry design, sustainable fashion, and running two businesses
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ZOELLE DEVLIN
Helloooo and welcome back to the Montana Diaries Podcast, HOLYYYYY frick it’s Season 2 — we took a little bit of a break for the holidays but I’m beyond stoked for the lineup of guests coming up here in 2022. We’re alsooooo going to be adding in solo shows this year, so pleaseeeee let me know what topics you’d love to hear covered! You know I’m an open book when it comes to my business, so ask away — aannddd for those who don’t know me: I’m Shayna and I’m so freaking stoked you’re here because on today’s episode we have the lovely Zoelle Devlin, the Missoula, Montana entrepreneur behind Love Dot and Love Zoelle. Zoelle has a beautiful eye for design, mind for business, and heart for serving — all of which serve her in her two businesses that she’s sharing about on this episode. Everyyyy purpose-driven creative entrepreneur will have something to gain from this conversation.
Love Zoelle: Fine Jewelry
Zoelle started Love Zoelle 6 years ago — she was still in college and working multiple jobs when she started making and selling bracelets on the side. When she sold a couple hundred on Instagram, Love Zoelle was born. Within seven months, Love Zoelle was in 42 stores across the country.
Eventually, Love Zoelle transferred out of wholesale and into fine jewelry — today, you can find their private showroom in Missoula, Montana to shop their collection.
Growing a team
Zoelle’s first team member was a sub-contractor who created the jewelery she designed, and today she’s grown that production team to four members. Zoelle knew right away that delegating was key in her business — she is adamant that she surrounds herself with “people that are smarter than her.”
As for advice to other entrepreneurs to figure out what to delegate? Zoelle is big on writing down systems and processes to make delegation easier when it becomes obvious that you’re spread too thin.
Crafting a vision
When asked if she had a vision for where the company would go or if she took it in stride as she went, Zoelle was quick to say that she knew where she wanted the company to go. When family and friends would make suggestions, Zoelle was able to maintain focus because of her vision — no shiny object syndrome for her!
The vision? A personalized 1-1 experience where Zoelle was able to educate her consumer, and she acknowledges that she couldn’t provide that service if she chased the big wholesale goals.
Love Dot: The Sustainable Closet
Love Dot was born of Zoelle’s desire to give back by donating proceeds to charities that connect with her values, to highlight female entrepreneurs with interviews on the website, and to serve the types of women she interviews by filling a gap in the fashion industry that Zoelle has felt the effects of in the work force and in her entrepreneurial life. Zoelle’s vision for the product side of the brand includes curating 12-15 versatile, “seasonless” pieces for the woman on the go.
Educating consumers and messaging
One of the big challenges of building this new brand is educating consumers on the importance of sustainability. We chatted about content marketing and messaging, knowing the optics of a business, and understanding the price point weeding out certain demographics and offering alternative options for being sustainable.
Routines that serve life & business
Zoelle is bigggg on following routines that serve her life and businesses. She strives to get 8 hours of sleep, consistently meditate, and fuel her body with nutritious foods. Zoelle calls her morning routine “sacred,” and she takes time to do NOTHING.
All of this is made possible by her ability to delegate work items to her team — we’re both on business enabling our ideal lifestyles, and Zoelle is in alignment with that goal. Outsourcing allows Zoelle to honor her routines.