Stories&Work: Stacy Jobe Lea
Give us your full name.
Stacy Jobe Lea
Share the kind of work you do.
I am the co-owner of Indie Trunk Show along with my mom, Karen. We put on large shows throughout the year that showcase Oklahoma-only artists, crafters, makers and business owners.
What is the risk in pursuing doing the work you love?
I think the biggest risk is that people won't like it. We didn't know at first what people would think about Indie Trunk Show. We just knew that we liked the idea of shopping from Oklahoma makers and businesses. So with every new idea, every new venture, we have the same risk. But you have to take it. That's what makes an entrepreneur.
What’s the biggest way your business has changed since you started it?
Indie Trunk Show started as just a fun thing for my mom and I to do together. Now it has turned into a full-time job. Our first show had 86 vendors, now our biggest one has more than 200.
Tell us a few things you have to be consistent in to do your best work.
Getting out of pajamas and doing my hair and makeup make me feel like getting work done!
What do you do to keep learning how to do your work better?
Social media is a big part of our advertising. So I try to take online courses and go to conferences to learn the newest techniques. Social media is a beast. You have to stay on top of it to get the value out of it.
If you were magically given five more hours in a day, how would you spend them?
Creating beautifully styled photos for 1,000 social media posts. :)
Who are the right people for you to surround yourself with in order to be successful?
Other business women who are positive, super creative and collaborative.
How do you go about planning for a project or your day?
I like old-fashioned lists on paper. I like to see all the tasks laid out on colorful notepads!
What is the best and worst part of your current work?
The best and worst part is not having a boss. Deciding when and how to work on a project is the best. But when it doesn't work out, it's my own fault.
How do you measure your progress?
Since Indie is an event, we often measure progress by the number of attendees who show up. But another important metric is our vendors' satisfaction with the show. Knowing who all your customers are is important. They are often not just the group you think of first.
Tell us what you have discovered in life that you can share with up and comers who want to do the work they love?
Business today is all about collaboration and community, not about competition. Also: just get started. It doesn't matter if you think you're ready or not. Just go do it. You'll get there.