Caitlin Hartigan: The definition of hard work and ambition and her thoughts on running her own business

I used to work with Caitlin at a clothing store way back when but this just goes to show how social media can really help you keep in touch. She and I are still linked through social media friends so I thought “hey, why not ask her a few questions about her fashion line, Savage that she started?” I have to say, it’s been a real pleasure being able to see all her pieces through her website and Facebook/Instagram pages. Her website is really cool; not only can you buy her pieces from the site, but it’s also a blog where she writes about all the latest trends too. Don’t worry; I’ll link her pages at the bottom! Her clothing is just simply amazing and very trendy. If you’re into the latest trends then this is a website you must visit! I was really interested to hear a little bit about her story so that’s what prompted this mini Q & A. Here’s what she had to say:

How did you know you wanted to start your own business, let alone in fashion?

I knew I wanted to start my own business when years ago I felt I had a lot of great, unique ideas in my head about patterns, accessories, mixing and matching patterns and piecing everything together. My eye to put outfits together from the necklace to the shoe had always been a favorite part of mine. I love dressing my friends and family up in complete outfits. Aside from having a passion to put someone together head to toe I had realized I had been shopping at multiple boutiques and little shops all over and the ideas that I had about my style and my visions of outfits wasn’t really out there. I started messing around with look book styles and in that I realized maybe there are more people out there with the same style envisions and are going to boutiques and only finding one or two pieces to match their style and maybe they too just like myself needed a go to place to match their complete style. I love fashion and within that alone I knew I wanted to start my own business.

Did you anticipate the work that was going to have to go into making your business what it is today?

When I took classes on business startup, the one thing my teachers and classmates always said, there is so much time and work that needs to be put into a business regardless of where it stands either as a new business or a successful business. So, going in I knew I was going to have a lot of work on my hands, not as much as I actually took on, but the more work I had to do, the more I was watching my business grow.

What’s your favorite part about owning your own business (other than the awesome clothes)?

My favorite part of owning my own business is seeing a customer with my product. I started Savage with just accessories that I was creating and making, and to watch someone walk down the street with something I created is the greatest feeling a business owner could ever feel. When times were rough (if at all), what did you do to unwind? People might think this is crazy, but I like to unwind when things get rough by sitting down and coming up with new ideas to help my business grow. I know most business owners probably have a hobby, but coming up with new ideas excites me for the future of Savage. Starting up a business times are always rough, you’re not where you want to be with it, so I find sitting down coming up with new ideas or new plans really helps me.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you while starting your business?

The best advice I got from someone was a simple saying, “Rome was not built in a day.” Starting a business is not easy by any means and you can’t let the tough times in the beginning get you discouraged, you have to keep at it and watch what you make of yourself and your business and simply hearing this saying and telling it to yourself every day, really helps you keep going at it.

What’s been the most rewarding aspect of starting your own business?

The most rewarding aspect of starting Savage has been watching it grow into something I never thought it would be. A little over a year ago, I started with just phone covers, custom converse and handmade accessories. Now, I carry clothing and have reached countries across the world with my product. I never thought Savage would be where it is today a year ago.

After all the advice you’ve been given, what advice can you give young people trying to start their own businesses?

Going in I tried asking people for a lot of advice and it was tough getting it. The response was always, “I can’t give you my secrets, you will be my competition one day.” The best advice I can give young people is, fight for it! There aren’t many people out there who are willing to take this risk and if you have a passion for something and fight for it, you will succeed and don’t give up until you do.This is everything a young aspiring entrepreneur should read. It’s obviously no secret that starting your own business will be easy. It’s going to be very hard work but with that hard work comes many rewarding feelings. Then suddenly, it’s all worth it.

Website: http://shop-savage.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsavage

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