Each month, Built in Los Angeles features some of the key players in Los Angeles' burgeoning tech space and the women who are making it all happen. We'll ask these founders, strategists, developers and innovators what drives them forward, their secrets to success, and what advice they have for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
Dorian Howard | Milk & Honey
Dorian Howard talks about her experience in Corporate America, juggling, and the role of compromise in entrepreneurship.
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am the co-founder of Milk & Honey -- an e-commerce site that takes control from "fashion insiders" and give the power of to the consumer by allowing them to design their own shoes.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I always knew that life in Corporate America was a great place to start but not where I wanted to be long term. I would not trade my years in a "job" for anything -- I learned how to navigate some tricky waters, I learned how to have a boss, how to work my way up the corporate ladder, how to deal with incredibly powerful people -- all things that come in handy every single day of running Milk & Honey.
I always knew that life in Corporate America was a great place to start but not where I wanted to be long term. I would not trade my years in a "job" for anything -- I learned how to navigate some tricky waters, I learned how to have a boss, how to work my way up the corporate ladder, how to deal with incredibly powerful people -- all things that come in handy every single day of running Milk & Honey.
WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
When my father talks about why he was successful in the restaurant business, he simply says, "I had an idea and I did it" -- I think that's the most important thing. Get out of your head and start creating. Also, Adam Lilling told us, "Do not compromise, do not meet in the middle." If you compromise, you end up in the grey zone. While sometimes I wildly disagree with my co-founder, we each have very distinct strengths and weaknesses. If something falls under her jurisdiction, I let her make the decision. You have to have clear job descriptions and then ultimate trust in the other to do their job.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE ON A DAILY BASIS?
Keeping about 25 different balls in the air and moving forward. With a small team, everyone has so much to do and you can't let any of the balls you're juggling drop. Then, when you delegate, it's important to be a good manager and to give a long leash, but also keep an eye on things. That's just a long winded way of saying "prioritizing."
Keeping about 25 different balls in the air and moving forward. With a small team, everyone has so much to do and you can't let any of the balls you're juggling drop. Then, when you delegate, it's important to be a good manager and to give a long leash, but also keep an eye on things. That's just a long winded way of saying "prioritizing."
WHAT'S YOUR SECRET WEAPON?
My team! We have hired an incredible group of women to push us to the next level. The Milk & Honey are all so smart, so hard working, so driven and, obviously, have excellent taste!
My team! We have hired an incredible group of women to push us to the next level. The Milk & Honey are all so smart, so hard working, so driven and, obviously, have excellent taste!
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?
Saturday and Sunday mornings I love to wake up early and lay in bed and watch TV for an hour before beginning my day
Saturday and Sunday mornings I love to wake up early and lay in bed and watch TV for an hour before beginning my day
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Assistant to the VP of celebrity talent at MTV in NYC
Assistant to the VP of celebrity talent at MTV in NYC
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
It's hard to start at the top, so instead of starting a company right out of school, work at a big company for a few years and watch and learn. See how it's done with a massive budget and unlimited resources, THEN make the jump. Also, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you want to be an executive, or a head of sales, don't show up to the office in jean shorts. Startup culture is inherently casual, but if you're new, and young and a woman, it's important to look professional and appropriate (even if you are working from our boss' dining room table).
It's hard to start at the top, so instead of starting a company right out of school, work at a big company for a few years and watch and learn. See how it's done with a massive budget and unlimited resources, THEN make the jump. Also, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you want to be an executive, or a head of sales, don't show up to the office in jean shorts. Startup culture is inherently casual, but if you're new, and young and a woman, it's important to look professional and appropriate (even if you are working from our boss' dining room table).
Connect with Dorian on twitter (@dorianhoward1) or on LinkedIn
