Full name?: Andi Atteberry
Position / Job title?: Creator + CEO, blingsting
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always saw myself as a mom, which is funny, because I am like the last of any of my childhood girlfriends to actually get there. No wait, I am the only one of my childhood girlfriends who isn’t married with kids. It’s something I definitely want, but I keep finding lovely distractions along the way, which I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’ll get there at some point.
Other than that, I think I wanted to be a marine biologist for about ten minutes, but really, I always loved art, writing and any opportunity to be creative. And you just totally reminded me that my childhood ‘pretend husband’ was named Mike. Hmm, wonder what he’s up to these days.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
I often think that every move I have ever made prepared me to design/sell sparkly pepper spray. It’s true. I have had so many random, low-paying, bottom of the totem pole jobs, all absolutely necessary on the journey to start this business. I have been a TV news reporter (I can now quickly articulate my thoughts and speak in front of an audience); I have been a personal assistant (I learned be super organized and efficient); I have been a sales rep (I am used to getting doors slammed in my face and rejection doesn’t phase me); and I have interned at countless companies where I did a lot of un-glamorous work for very little recognition and no money (which is exactly what it feels like in the beginning stages of launching a company).
3. Tell us what a typical work day looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?
I eat, sleep, and breathe my company. My work day starts at Starbucks around 8.30 am and usually ends around 10 pm. While I love days that I get to get up, put on makeup and a real outfit, and go out and have a real meeting, it doesn’t happen that often. Because I am working from home and my work mostly involves emails, playing in photoshop, helping with administrative ‘stuff’, sales strategy, going to the post office, and some time invested in social media, it’s 95% a lot like solitary confinement and completely non-glamorous.
When I’ve been called for an interview with a cool magazine, or when we land a big sales deal, that feels like nothing I have ever experienced during my 15 years of working for someone else. To have others recognize your work and actually want to give you money for the product you conceived in your pajamas at your parents house one random Christmas, is pretty unreal.
4. What is the biggest career mistake you’ve ever made?
Of course I have made mistakes but I don’t remember them as ‘mistakes’, so I have no idea. Even the low points meant something; probably more to me than the high points.
5. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
Do your absolute best, even when no one else is watching. If you follow this, I believe, you will have your pick of opportunities because so many people don’t want to do the heavy lifting.
6. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
What a concept! I have realized that I have a brief window to get my product out there before it’s knocked off, and we are giving it 100%. It is so important to me to make this work. One of my favorite quotes is ‘Entrepreneurs spend three years of their lives like most others wont, to live the rest of their lives like most others can’t.’ I am allowing myself to be completely consumed by this for now.
I do make time each day to get in a long walk, hot yoga, and I get good sleep. Every now and then I get on a plane and go lay in the sun and swim in the ocean for a few days. I see friends on the weekends, but there are so many times I have been out and have wished I were at home working on my business. I am completely consumed, which I think is more than okay, given we are still in our first year.
7. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?
I have no idea, but do know that I don’t have it all! At 33, I am growing my company and couldn’t be happier. I am not married and don’t have kids (but do want both), so it’s starting to creep into my thoughts more and more. I also live in Manhattan which presents its own set of challenges with dating. I would love to think that I can work on my business and I will stumble across the right person, but the reality is I barely leave my studio apartment-slash-office! I’d like to think that there is time for all of this, and that each milestone will have its shining moment. Being a mom is icing on the cake, and I’ll get there. Right now, I love what I am doing and refuse to miss out on the excitement of this experience by focusing on what I don’t have.
8. If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see?
Some great kids, dogs, a nice house on the beach in Charleston, SC.
9. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
I read and re-read every article I can find on Sara Blakely of SPANX. I totally relate with how she started her business, and think she’s just ah-mazing. I’m also a religious follower of shows like Shark Tank and The Profit. I just soak up every word they say and incorporate their advice to others into my own strategy.
10. Should you work for the money, or do what you love?
Hmm, I worked for the money, so I could eventually do what I loved. Had I not worked at my previous sales rep job, I wouldn’t have had the money I needed to start the company and support myself during the months blingsting couldn’t afford to pay me a salary. I think ultimately you have to do what you love, but you also have to be patient and be prepared to make sacrifices because doing what you love may not pay the bills right off the bat.
11. If you married a millionaire husband and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)
Absolutely. I think being creative, solving problems, and dealing with people outside of your inner circle keeps you sharp and keeps you hungry. I am afraid of being bored. I may not work for anyone else in the future, but I will certainly keep myself busy, even if I were in the position of not needing the money. I have lots of ideas on ways to make other practical products girls need, really cute and hope to be able to always feel that high that comes with the risk-taking. I need the mental challenge that comes with taking an idea and making it grow.
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