How I Became a Successful Entrepreneur

My Story…

I don’t think I’ve ever written a post detailing my career story and how I became a blogger/YouTuber/entrepreneur. I’m excited! (Don’t worry, I’ll give you the Cliffs Notes, not the full novel.) Before I dive in, QVC compensated me for this post… in an effort to share more about their Dream, Dare, Do movement. Their mission is to help women supporting women. It’s such a simple concept, and yet one that definitely needs to be reinforced.

[clickToTweet tweet=”One of the keys to being an entrepreneur is passion. If you love what you do, you won’t quit. ~Erin xo” quote=”One of the keys to being an entrepreneur is passion. If you love what you do, you won’t quit. ~Erin xo”]

There are SO many successful, female entrepreneurs, building businesses on QVC. Here are some of my favorite products by these inspiring women!

Erin Busbee with WCBS TV at the Democratic National Convention with Dan Rather of CBS2004 Democratic National Convention w/ Dan Rather

Entrepreneurial Spirit

From the time I was little girl, I had an entrepreneurial spirit. I once made $20 with a lemonade stand, charging only 25 cents per lemonade.  Unbeknownst to my mother, I also hosted a garage sale, selling off some of her favorite treasures from the house! I was always dreaming up businesses, and ways to make money.

While I was a producer at WCBS-TV in New York City (above), I started a media consulting business, training magazine editors and business owners, to maximize their TV appearances.

Erin Busbee of Busbeestyle.com with husband Chris Busbee from Texas

Marriage & Move to Texas

After I got married and moved to Texas, I went around interviewing at the local TV stations, but my heart just wasn’t in it anymore.

My husband asked me what I would do for free. My response was simple, I wanted to help women look pretty. I started Busbee Style soon afterwards.

San Antonio Living TV Show

Women supporting women, Erin Busbee styled photo shoot for San Antonio MagazineMagazine Shoot I Styled 

Early Busbee Style

In the beginning, my website was more like a business card. It was a place to advertise my services, explain how the personal styling process works, and also share more about my background.

To generate revenue, I turned to my traditional media roots… magazines and TV.  At one point, I was doing a weekly style segment on our local lifestyle TV show. I contributed to several print and online publications. I also styled dozens of photo shoots (see above) and fashion shows.

After several years, I was ready for something different.

Women Supporting Women, Erin Busbee talks about failure, she invented a product that never worked

Women supporting women, fashion blogger and youtuber Erin Busbee talks about her failure to create a product line and what she learned

Experimental Phase

As an entrepreneur, you are always coming up with new ways to try and grow your business. About 3 years into Busbee Style, I got involved with product development.

I invented, “Pocket Pops” (above) an accessory that customizes young girls’ jeans, and I also designed a go-to sheath dress that you could wear multiple ways.

Both of these ventures were unsuccessful. But, as any entrepreneur would tell you, when one door closes, another opens.
The failure freed me to truly focus on my website and YouTube channel, which helped me grow tremendously… and find more fiscal success!

Speaking of fiscal success, did you know, Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of It Cosmetics, build “It” into a 1.2 billion dollar business? She’s amazing.
My favorite It Cosmetics products are below.

Women supporting women, erin busbee Fashion blogger from Busbeestyle.com at the Reward Style conferenceReward Style Conference | This Gorgeous Crew is all Over 40!

Discovering RewardStyle

The key to building my business online was getting accepted by RewardStyle. It took six months, a little begging… and a referral from a wonderful friend, Heather Anderson, but I finally got in!

RewardStyle enables bloggers to monetize their websites through affiliate links. Everytime someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you make a small percentage. Transitioning my business online was quite humbling at first, but I quickly realized the potential.

This business model has allowed me to work with some of my all-time favorite brands and businesses like QVC!

women supporting women, dallas fashion bloggers, heather anderson of soheather, cathy williamson of the middle page blog, tanya foster of tanyafoster.com, Sam Stewart of Style of Sam and Erin Busbee of BusbeeStyle.comFrom Left, Heather Anderson, Cathy Williamson, Tanya Foster, me, and Samantha Stewart
Women Supporting women, erin busbee of busbeestyle.com, heather anderson of soheather.com and sam stewart of Style of SamFirst NYFW with Samantha Stewart, Style of Sam… and Heather Anderson, So Heather

Women Supporting Women

Through my blog and YouTube channel, not only have I been able to help hundreds of thousands of women with their personal style, I’ve also promoted dozens of womens’ businesses.  Additionally, I have met some of the most incredible women along the way.

There is NO way I could have built my business without the help and support of other women, especially this blogger crew above. We have gone on trips together, shared resources, collaborated together. Being a blogger and youtuber can be quite lonely. I truly cherish these moments when I get to network and brainstorm with inspiring and accomplished women.

women supporting women, Erin Busbee of Busbee Style talks about how to become a successful blogger and youtuber with QVC

Key Takeaways

There are SO many invaluable lessons I’ve learned. If I were to offer one piece of advice to someone starting out it would be… learn as much as you can on someone else’s dime. Making money through a blog or YouTube channel takes a long time.

You could start out by offering to help a blogger you admire for a small amount of money, while keeping your day job. That way you can really assess whether it’s something you want to do. You will also fine tune your skills and niche. The competition is getting tougher so having a different point of view, or area of expertise is very helpful.

Remember, I was a journalist, then a stylist. Through BusbeeStyle, I am using ALL of those skills I learned as a TV journalist (writing, reporting, editing, etc.) AND, all of the expertise I gleaned while working as a stylist. Again…I firmly believe that you have to have a unique voice to share, or something educational to offer readers and viewers.

I make sure that every blog and video has takeaways…

Are you an entrepreneur? What advice do you have that you think would help other women? Please comment and let us know below.

White coat, winter white coat, double breasted by Guess in boucle, paired with Sorel Conquest booties, Amo twist skinny jeans, a white fuzzy hat and a fuzzy white sweater, on Fashion Blogger over 40, Erin Busbee of Busbee Style, BusbeeStyle.com in telluride, Colorado in the snowy mountains

BusbeeStyle Today

Fast forward FOUR years into my blogging and YouTube career, I’ve made it into the TOP 200 with RewardStyle for my 3rd year in a row. YouTube named me one of their “Women to Watchhere. I’ve been featured on major brands’ Instagram pages and websites. And, I’m regularly collaborating with some of the most amazing brands, including QVC!

I DO think it’s important to mention that this isn’t an easy gig, nor do I think it’s for everyone, but for me…it’s an honor and privilege. I absolutely LOVE what I do!

QVC

I hope you will help me support other female entrepreneurs.  Some of my favorite brands created by women at QVC are below.

Also, just wanted to mention that in honor of International Women’s Day, QVC and participating vendors will donate a minimum of $250,000 to benefit Nest, a global, nonprofit committed to the social and economic advancement of women. Nest focuses on female artisans who might not have the resources they need to succeed. How amazing! You can find out more about the initiative here.

Please let me know if you have any questions… just comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe to my exclusive newsletter.
Thank you SO much for stopping by!

 

Erin Busbee signature

 

 

Team Busbee

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  1. Tori says:

    you’ve come so far! I think the best advice I can give — is to follow a plan to conquer your goal, don’t take on more than you can do. Start with 1-2 platforms and build from there because it can get overwhelming. Video is the best way to show off yourself and get people to know, like and trust you. But, the biggest tip of all is to be consistent with whatever you do!

    • Erin Busbee says:

      This is GREAT advice, Tori! I would add to that…outsource when and if you can!! Outsourcing has saved my sanity and is enabling me to focus on the things I truly love to do. LOVE watching your business grow… Erin xo

  2. Nora says:

    Liked your post. It´s really nice to see your hard work is rewarded, not many you tubers have your discipline. Way to go girl!!!

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Thank you SO much, Nora! I am so grateful for notes like these… Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Erin xo

  3. Tina says:

    Erin, Your passion shows through on all your videos. Thank you for sharing your talent, expertise and most of all helping us Ladies come together in such a wonderful way through Fashion and Beauty.

    Amazing what a Role Model you are for your children and all the ladies out here who love you! Your a Class Act and very inspiring. Here is to continued success. Tina xo

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Thank you very much, Tina. This really made my day! I am so incredibly appreciative of your support!! Erin xo

  4. This is awesome Erin! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. I know that you work very hard! Keep up the good work!

  5. Tanya Foster says:

    LOVE this blog post Erin. Thanks so much for including me!
    xoxo- Tanya 🙂
    http://www.tanyafoster.com

  6. Lisa says:

    Erin,
    I retired from the military 2 years ago, and I am still young enough for a second career. I am a personal trainer, about to dive into business blogging, to combine my passion of health and writing. Your story is inspiring. Maybe in the future, you can blog about how you stay motivated to blog, business success tips, etc.
    I have learned a lot from you, and I am currently shopping my way through the basics checklist, and loving my new found style thanks to you!

    All the best to you, and congrats on your continued success

    Lisa R
    Alexandria, VA

    • Erin Busbee says:

      On my TO DO’s list for business, is a whole series about starting a blog or youtube channel, as well as editing photos, editing videos, etc. Thank you so much for the lovely reminder and best of luck with your second career. Take it from me…it’s SO fun! Erin xo

  7. Adele says:

    Erin, you photos are just beautiful! Who is your photographer?

  8. Karen Clarke says:

    Imagine my surprise seeing your beautiful face on the QVC website. With the link to your story. I am more impressed than ever by you!! And I know you are beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.

    (Loved today’s insta story with the dog, and the kids. Everyone looked so happy!!)

    Karen

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Thanks for telling me, Karen! I did not know it was posted… I’m SO glad I got to see it!! You are the sweetest! Erin xo

  9. Rita A Stutler says:

    Thanks so much Erin. I knew you did style segments before. We work for success…sometimes it is a long road. I really enjoyed this post.

  10. Joely says:

    Hey Erin- I have followed you for about a year. I think you have so much to offer woman and amazing style knowledge. However, as a mom of young children who mostly works from home and for a company that allows me to dress casually in the office, I’d love to see more relaxed style from you. I know you have to have a specific niche so perhaps that’s not where you want to go with your channel but I thought I’d provide the feedback anyway. Either way, your the bomb.com

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Coming to YOUTUBE tomorrow! Yay!! NINE outfit ideas for spring, most of them are casual… Erin xo

  11. Heather says:

    Congrats on your success Erin, you deserve!! You work hard and I admire you so much!!! Love, Heather

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Thank you so much, Heather and right back at you!! Amazing what you have built. Proud to call you my friend. Erin xo

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