March 18, 2025 • 36 mins
Susan Campbell never imagined she'd become an entrepreneur in her fifties, but when inspiration struck just weeks before her daughter's wedding, she couldn't ignore it. That divine spark led to South 23rd and the Porch Pop – an innovative solution transforming ordinary plastic plant pots into stylish decorative accents.
Watching her father pursue a patent for his can crusher invention years ago planted entrepreneurial seeds that would bloom decades later. Though he never secured that patent, the experience taught Susan valuable lessons about persistence and innovation that she's applied to her own business journey.
Susan's story resonates with anyone who's ever felt it might be "too late" to pursue a dream. When she won recognition through Vanity Fair's grant program associated with comedian Leanne Morgan's "Just Getting Started" tour, it validated what she already knew deep down – age is irrelevant when pursuing your passion.
The Porch Pop itself was born from a common frustration many homeowners face. Susan loves seasonal plants but hated the unattractive plastic pots they came in. After an incident where guests were coming and her husband questioned the "ugly pots," resulting in beautiful flowers being hidden away, she knew there had to be a better solution.
Without manufacturing experience, Susan faced countless unknowns, yet refused to let this stop her. Her approach was refreshingly simple: make calls, ask questions, follow leads, and take small steps forward consistently. "Do it scared," she advises, acknowledging that courage isn't the absence of fear but taking action despite it.
Throughout her journey, faith has been Susan's foundation. She credits God with providing both the initial idea and the strength to overcome obstacles. This spiritual dimension, combined with her natural positive energy, has sustained her through the challenges of building a business from scratch.
Susan's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? "Trust your intuition" and "just get started." Don't fall victim to analysis paralysis – take that first step, however small, and keep moving forward. Your age, experience level, or background doesn't matter nearly as much as your willingness to begin.
Ready to transform your home's ordinary spaces into something extraordinary? Visit south23rd.com or follow @South23rd on social media to learn more about the Porch Pop and join Susan on her entrepreneurial journey.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I think the biggest thing is just get started.
If you are really excited aboutwhatever you're thinking about
doing, if there's a product oran idea that you're excited
about, just move forward.
Don't get analysis, paralysisright.
You can think about it, thinkabout it, think about it, but
what are you doing?
Just do, even if it's a babystep, even if it's just one
(00:24):
thing a week.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Hey, uncommon Leaders , welcome back.
This is the Uncommon LeaderPodcast and I'm your host, john
Gallagher man.
I've got a special guest foryou today.
Not only is she a friend of alot of years, actually our best
friend, she was the maid ofhonor in our wedding.
Her husband was the best man.
So, folks, I have a chance toreally entertain you with some
(00:54):
college shenanigans that we mayhave had before and some of our
stories over the year, but we'rehere to talk with Susan
Campbell, the founder and CEO ofSouth 23rd.
Now I'm going to give her achance to talk a lot about her
company, but I'll tell you thisthe approach that she's taken on
her journey and quote justgetting started.
We'll talk a little bit aboutthat in terms of how we get
(01:16):
started later, maybe a littlelater in life, but her story is
very inspiring and encouragingand I look forward to talking
with her.
So, susan, welcome to theUncommon Leader Podcast.
How are you today?
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Thank you.
I'm excited to be here.
John, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, it's good and I know I shared a couple of
questions with you and weprobably could have hit record
even earlier on some of theconversation that we got going,
so hopefully we didn't lose anyof that.
But let's just say this I'm notletting you off the hook just
because you're our best friends.
I'm going to start you off withthe same first question.
I start all first time guestsand that's to tell me a story
from your childhood that stillimpacts who you are today, as a
(01:55):
person or as a leader.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Um.
So I think, uh, I, when I lookback on these last few years, I
can see how an experience that Iwent through with my family and
my dad when I was young I wasprobably in middle school and my
father had come up with aninvention it was a can crusher
(02:20):
and he he figured it out, hedesigned it, and I wasn't always
watching to see what he did,but I do remember some of the
pieces and processes.
And then finally they got to apoint where he decided that he
wanted to get a patent for itand they went to DC and I
remember hearing the stories ofgoing through the patent library
(02:44):
and library, excuse me andgoing through the library and
talking to a lawyer and tryingto figure out all that he didn't
end up getting the patent andit was so crazy because just a
year or two afterwards someoneelse had introduced another can
crusher and it was oncommercials.
He was like that was my ideaand it was just kind of
(03:06):
interesting to see it all take,um, kind of how it all took
place and, um, I felt very thatfelt very familiar when I was
working on my own.
So that's something that reallytouched me, watching someone
take their idea and just moveforward with it.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Love that and I think about that from an idea
standpoint and obviously that isreally what brought us to this
conversation today.
With regards to your company,south 23rd, and your product
that we'll get a chance to talkto the Porch Pop I just love the
name of it more than anythingelse.
I think I just like to sayPorch Pop more than anything
else.
It more than anything else, Ithink I just like to say porch
pot more than anything else.
So, linking that back right ashaving a family member, father,
(03:49):
who had that entrepreneurialspirit, that innovative spirit
that was going on, and certainlyover the years, susan has
always been positive andinspiring in all of our
relationships.
Great mom, great wife, raisedtwo phenomenal kids that I still
love to connect with today aswell.
Was there a moment for you inyour founder's journey, if you
(04:13):
will, that you created the ideaand decided, yeah, now's the
time I'm going to make thishappen.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Yes, you know, it was kind of interesting.
Our children are both marriedand living away, and it was
about two weeks before ourdaughter was getting married and
this idea hit me and Icompletely attribute it to God
just blessing me with this idea.
But when I came up with it, itwas one of those things where I
(04:49):
was in a transition.
So I had just left my positionas an optician I had been doing
that for seven years andrealized that it wasn't my
forever job and I was just kindof in a space where I could to,
I was able to explore thisopportunity, and so that's when
I decided and it was just alittle nibble, a little nibble.
(05:11):
A little nibble, you know,because I really didn't have any
experience in any of thisstarting a company, yeah, I
would have ideas, but then onceit really noodled on it, if you
will, for a very long time, overthe next few months after
Morgan got married and then aswe plan for Will's marriage, I
(05:32):
was always working little bylittle on it.
Did that answer your question?
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Right Spot on, absolutely.
I mean in terms ofunderstanding and you, one of
the things you talk about, thenibbles, like the little nibbles
, I'm thinking about it, I'mthinking about it, thinking
about it.
And again, there was probablysome point where you said, no,
I'm going, and I'm going all in,and I know that you're all in.
I've heard you mention beforenot letting what you don't know.
You talked about that frommaybe a business acumen
(05:58):
standpoint, but not letting whatyou don't know stop you.
How did you overcome thatinitial fear of what you?
Speaker 1 (06:07):
didn't know to get started.
Well, I think that myexperience in sales I have 15
plus years in sales and variousindustries and I think the fact
that getting no's and overcomingthat fear of getting that no
helped me with pursuing andfinding out the answers.
(06:29):
It was really kind of achallenge because I had no
manufacturing experience and soto continue and not stress about
what I didn't know, and just, Ithink the hardest part with all
of that was trying to figureout what the next step would be.
What would I need?
And that's a space that I hadnever put myself in.
(06:51):
So when I'm sitting therethinking about what would be the
thing that I would need forthis product, what does it need?
Does it need fabric?
Does it need a cut and sew?
Does it need a what?
What kind of structure?
Who would make that?
So once you start peeling backthose questions, you get further
down and it didn't really scareme too much because I had
(07:13):
nothing to lose.
At that point.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
I felt like so that part of that was again
eliminating that fear was what'sthe worst thing that can happen
, and talking through that.
That was again eliminating thatfear was what's the worst thing
that can happen, and talkingthrough that.
Diving into that though deeperin terms of the I'll call it the
discipline or the habit how didyou learn where you needed to
manufacture, how we were goingto cut it and how do we get the
(07:38):
colors and things like that?
What were the steps that youtook to dive in and make that
happen?
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Well, strangely, I think I probably started
backwards.
I started with a brandingcompany.
I had, um, I had been put in a.
Well, I had created somethingon my own a prototype, if you
will.
That's exactly what it was.
But I didn't know how to sew,and so I I purchased a sewing
machine and kind of taughtmyself, just enough.
(08:05):
And then I got in front of abranding company because I was
like I need a name.
I was jumping to the end andthat is what helped me get to
the back, and that was a grouphere in Greensboro and they
started telling me well, this isgreat.
However, you can't sew thisyourself.
You're going to need to havesomeone else sew this.
(08:25):
You need a, someone like a cutand sew.
And one thing led to another.
They gave me a name.
That person was I can't helpyou, but someone else can.
And then they point me in thisdirection, in this direction,
and I was finally, I finallylanded in front of someone and
they said you need to take thissewn goods class.
And, of course, I thought I hadit all figured out.
(08:46):
So I was like I don't need totake that class, I'm already way
ahead of all of that.
I've got this, this and thisand um long story short.
Six months later I was in thatclass and I said to myself well,
and I even told the instructor.
I said this was something thatI felt like I didn't really need
because I had already gonearound and made all those phone
calls.
And then she was laughing at me, but there were nuggets that I
(09:12):
took from that class.
Yes, I had found a cut and sewby then.
It was just phone call afterphone call.
I can't help you, but thisperson try.
This person try this.
And it finally landed me infront of a cut and sew that
worked.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I love that.
That again, it's like just goin and start asking questions
and you are uh phenomenal atjust asking questions, finding
the right people to askquestions to, uh digging into
that.
I think that's really cool.
If I if I bring that back up toyour point about the brand,
starting with the end, you knowyour website says your home is
where you gather, make memoriesand spend time with the people
(09:47):
you love.
So the finishes and decor youcarefully pick each season set
the stage for moments thatmatter.
So you and I have talked aboutthis before.
In terms of the porch pop, Iwant you to tell folks what a
porch pop is and how you gotthat idea ultimately, but that's
turning kind of the ordinaryinto an extraordinary, that
(10:07):
you're able to see some of thosethings.
So tell me about that quote interms of what that means to you
and the vision of South 23rd,and then sell me a porch pop.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Well, so back to the beginning, when I had just left
my position and it was a coupleof weeks before, as I mentioned,
our daughter's wedding and Ifound myself.
I love to decorate, I love tojust do little tricks, just like
, just like Chris, and sheinspires me.
Honestly, she has such anamazing eye and I'm always
(10:41):
striving to replicate what I seein these home decor magazines,
and one day I just happened tocome across a magazine article
about a family, and I've.
I in this article was a pictureof a family that had just
remodeled this home, and thehome was gorgeous and the family
was adorable.
(11:02):
But what caught my eye was thewhat the photographer had staged
on the front walk some shrubsthat were in a pot, but the pot
was wrapped in burlap fabric.
And I've thought to myselfthat's not really new, that's
something that we have done foryears just to cover an ugly pot.
But then, after seeing pageafter page of beautiful fabrics,
(11:26):
it got me wondering what if wewere to use some some of that
look or those fabrics and takeyour indoor space to your
outdoor space, because in theSouth, well, anytime in the
summer, in the northern areas,we love to be outside, we love
to be around nature, but we lovethe look that we get when we
(11:47):
decorate and make our home spaceours, and so my messaging is
really about taking your outdoorspace from ordinary to
extraordinary, in addition totrusting yourself.
If you like that piece, if youlove the look, it's your look
and you shouldn't you shouldn'trun from that because you pick
(12:09):
that pillow, you pick that printand you pick that fabric
because you left it, and trustyourself so that was really
important.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
I think about the value of that ordinary to
extraordinary and I think again,you and Chris together and some
of the ideas that come out invery common things in terms of
family.
The one I remember really wellearly on when Chris and I got
married, is that she wouldtransfer the ketchup from the
ketchup bottle and it's likethis little glass bowl, uh and
(12:39):
then put the ketchup bowl on thetable.
I'm like that is so cool totake it from like the ketchup
bottle that it's got the heinzlabel or whatever sitting on the
table to a very specialcontainer.
If, if you will and I just makethat up about the porch pop is
it takes that green plastic potthat you get it at the hardware
(13:00):
store wherever you end up buyingthis flour and creating
something very special out ofthat in terms of what it looks
like To me, if I'm really trueabout it, I'm like I would have
never done that myself, but Ibelieve when you know it's
almost like the peanut butterand jelly sandwich always tastes
better when somebody else makesit for you.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
That's exactly right, right.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
And it's just like that flower pot.
It's like that flower pot, theflower always smells better, I
think, when you kind of havethat surrounding and make it
just a little bit more special.
Or in terms of the word, theuncommon, I think we as leaders,
if we think about that as anidea, again turning ordinary
into extraordinary, even in therelationships that we have, okay
(13:40):
, how do we turn it fromordinary into extraordinary?
So I think that the porch pop,the can crusher which I love,
the connection of the idea interms of the innovation, the
ketchup in a bowl versus justout of the ketchup bottle, are
all things that are metaphors tome for how do we create that
uncommon in our leadership aswell, in terms of what those
changes go for?
And I again, I make up thatyou've been through so many
(14:03):
things as you try to bring thisidea, this extraordinary, uh,
into others' hands.
And so you've been recognizedfor this idea.
You have, uh, the Vanity Fair,leanne Morgan, which I love, the
fact that you had a chance tomeet Leanne Morgan as well and
talk with her, but won a grantthere.
Two questions on that, just onthe grant.
(14:24):
How did you have the confidenceto apply for that Because I
know Susan from the past.
There's a little bit oflimiting belief that keeps us
from doing things we want to do.
But when you actually won that,what did that do for your
confidence and your drive?
Speaker 1 (14:42):
So I think what was really cool.
So she was on a tour and shewas on her just getting started
tour and when they announced atthe beginning of the tour they
were trying to promote andencourage women that were not
(15:02):
necessarily in their youngerages, in their 20s, maybe 20s,
30s, but it was really about toempower women.
And but she was just gettingstarted in her comedic career.
She was that, hence the name ofher tour Just Getting Started
and Vanity Fair just partneredwith her and they wanted to
(15:24):
really encourage women that werea little bit older, had already
done their family or not donetheir family, but just coming up
with an idea to be anentrepreneur, start a business
later in life.
And as soon as I heard aboutthat, that just resonated it was
, it was so exciting and I said,well, I'm just going to apply.
(15:46):
It was an essay.
I told him about my business,told him how I came up with the
idea and what I did.
And so I, while I didn't winthe monetary grant, I did win a
product grant and I was soexcited because I felt like it
must have bubbled to the top,because there were many I'm sure
(16:08):
there were thousands of peoplethat applied.
But that made me feel reallygood because I feel very, in a
very similar lane as LeanneMorgan.
She had raised her family andeven though she'd had some times
where she would have anopportunity to speak in front of
groups and do some of herpractice, of her, of her skits
(16:30):
but I I didn't, I didn't think.
Sometimes it slows me down tothink I'm in my 50s and here,
what am I doing?
I'm starting this company.
I'm actually looking to try toget this into retail and that
seems very scary, but it justmakes me feel.
I've been assured by otherentrepreneurs that are telling
(16:54):
me they're saying it doesn'tmatter, it doesn't matter how
old you are.
If you have a dream and youhave an idea, just roll with it,
just go, just do Right.
So that's kind of where Ilanded with that whole Leanne
Morgan grant.
I was just excited to be evenrecognized and felt like it
resonated.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Hey listeners, I want to take a quick moment to share
something special with you.
Many of the topics anddiscussions we have on this
podcast are areas where Iprovide coaching and consulting
services for individuals andorganizations.
If you've been inspired by ourconversation and are seeking a
catalyst for change in your ownlife or within your team, I
invite you to visitcoachjohngallaghercom forward
(17:35):
slash free call to sign up for afree coaching call with me.
It's an opportunity for us toconnect, discuss your unique
challenges and explore howcoaching or consulting can
benefit you and your team.
Okay, let's get back to theshow I part of the.
Actually, the part that impactsme as I listen to it is finding
(17:58):
someone to emulate as well inyour style, someone who has a
similar story to share.
Frankly, that's really what theUncommon Leader podcast is all
about that your story is goingto resonate with someone who's
thinking about that idea.
Who's a little?
You said old, we're not old.
You said old or older, I'm notsure Older, yeah, further
(18:25):
further along in our wisdom thanmany others.
Uh, in terms of getting started, and it's, yeah, you're exactly
right, it's not that easy.
I mean, I think, uh, whetherit's a similar path and me
starting out on my own fiveyears ago as well.
To your point, it's like Idon't know about this and for
you.
What I know about you, what Iappreciate about you, is
positive energy.
No doubt is a key element ofyour success, again as a friend,
(18:47):
as a mom, as a wife, but alsoas an entrepreneur and a
business owner.
So how do you maintain thatpositivity, especially in the
challenging times?
That is early on in the launchof an entrepreneurial career.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So we're both really big fans of John Maxwell and one
of his trainings I believe hesaid something to the effect of
when you have a win, giveyourself a day to celebrate your
win, but when you have yourlosses, give yourself a day, get
through your losses.
And there have been challenges.
And back to my a little moreknowledge, experience.
(19:26):
What I lack in something I seemto compensate another.
So where my technicalchallenges with some of the
things on the computer or socialmedia?
That that was challenged.
But I feel that when I have asetback, I let myself feel and
process that setback and thenthe next day I pick up where I
(19:50):
was.
And I know that I am.
If I focus, I get what I focuson.
And I I have to keep the eye onthe prize, what I really want
to do.
And if it still excites me,then I want to just keep on
going and figure out okay, thisdidn't work, so let's try
something else.
And just having a positiveattitude seems to make that flow
(20:13):
a little, a little easier.
Does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I'm following you absolutely.
In fact, as you said that, itreminded me of a quote I shared
with you prior to this interview, about a week ago, and I'm
looking it up on my phone.
I'm being rude, I'm looking atmy phone as the time, but it was
a quote that popped up fiveyears ago as we were talking
about the questions for this,and it was on my time hop.
(20:38):
It said never give up onsomething that you can't go a
day without thinking about.
From Winston Churchill.
So I'll bet you thought aboutporch pop for a long time before
you really kicked it off interms of that idea and what that
meant.
Uh, but you never gave up on it.
And how did you, you know, keepthat keep spirit, keep that
fire going to get it started?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Again back to keeping an eye on the prize.
It was something that I reallyloved.
And then, when I startedtelling people about it, they
validated my thought and my idea.
They would look at me and go,oh my goodness, I've never heard
of this, I've never seen itbefore, and I knew at that point
there was something there,there was something to share,
(21:18):
and if I was going through thisproblem, someone else was going
through this problem.
They were finding themselveswanting a certain look and then
heading to the store and notfinding exactly what they were
looking for and ultimatelyputting it off.
And then they found themselvesin a situation which is exactly
what happened to me.
I I tell the story about how, um, I had bought I love these
(21:42):
seasonal plants and I would buythem.
And then, uh, one day we wereexpecting guests and I was
inside cleaning, getting ready,and my husband came to me and he
said what's the plan with theseplants out front?
And I'm like, well, what areyou talking about?
He said there's all these uglyplants.
They're in all these ugly pots.
And what do you want to do?
And I said, well, I'm going toreplant them.
He's like they're coming in 10minutes.
(22:03):
No, we're not doing this,they're going in the garage and
everyone lost.
You know, I lost.
I had taken the time to go tothe nursery and buy all these
beautiful flowers and then myfriends couldn't see them
because they were in the garage.
And ultimately it was because Icouldn't find what I was
wanting.
And if I'm having this problem,I'm not the only person having
(22:24):
this problem.
So let's fix it, let's notcomplain about it, let's stay
positive and let's figure out away to do something different.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
I love that story Filling a need and identifying
that.
Again, back to that ordinary toextraordinary.
I mean you could have let itout there with the standard pots
that they came in, but thesolution you've created I think
is really cool and fun.
And again, I can understand,certainly, the differences in
(22:54):
the home.
You've talked about before andwe know this Dave and I are both
engineers.
That's how we ended up meetingback in college Well, not in
engineering school, but atTailgaters.
So that's probably a story wecan leave for another podcast to
have all four of us talkingabout that and how that worked
out.
But you know you've had to inyour, in your business.
(23:15):
You've had to balance whatmight be, uh, this creative and
innovative spirit with businessacumen.
You're trying to run a business.
How do you intentionally umreconcile those two things?
Speaker 1 (23:32):
It gets tricky, um I it's really easy to get down in
the weeds and I have a trueconfession.
I mean, I have friends likeyourself and other people in my
life that say you got to make aschedule, you got to stick to
your schedule and what doesn'tget scheduled doesn't get
tracked.
That's my daughter.
She's, she's always trying toshare with me that.
(23:54):
You know, you've got to stay ontop of some of these things.
Then I have, you know, all ofmy family will.
Our son is is always trying tofigure out how many times I'm
touching something, what's goingon with your inventory.
And then I have my husbandwho's looking at it and going
this is this doesn't feel verylean, we've got to do something
different with your process.
(24:15):
And so I have all of thesepeople touching all of these
parts of my business and I loveit and I appreciate it.
The struggle comes when I getso excited I forget that I got
to do all the parts.
And but I'm a solo prereneur,right, so I have to do all the
(24:37):
things, but sometimes some ofthe other things, the paperwork,
that catches up with you.
So then you have to come backand just reset.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Yeah, and you and I both read the 4-8 Principle,
right?
I mean, a book that sits overhere is one of the most
influential books and it talksabout at times you got to
schedule your misery and I can.
I can hear like I hate to dothe paperwork part, but I'm
going to have to schedule this,not in my creative time, but I'm
going to have to schedule thisat some point so I can get it
done.
And the other thing you touchedon that's very important for
(25:05):
solopreneurs especially to learnis that there are other voices
that you need to ask for.
I don't know if we get hung upas no unsolicited advice and we
as friends have talked aboutthat a lot and like we're going
to wait till you ask us and thenwe'll give you some feedback,
versus just telling you like yougot three voices, three
(25:27):
engineers in your household,trying to tell you how to do
things like.
Look, uh, if I want your advice,I'll give it to you and then
I'll ask you whether or not youwant to uh, have some input.
Uh, but I, you know, again, Ican, I can imagine that's real.
That, um, that challenge withthree engineers.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
They all think a little differently than yeah,
they're different.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
And and I love that that helps make the world go
around Certainly a lot better.
I just, I love that.
So, um, yeah, what's if youwere talking with someone else
who just needs to get started?
They've been thinking aboutthis idea right For a while.
Whatever that is, whether it'sthe porch pop, or it's the can
(26:12):
crusher, or it's, um, starting acoaching business, or it's
something like that what's?
You know the the best piece ofadvice you have for someone
who's thinking about that you'retalking to on this podcast
right now to say what.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
I think the biggest thing is just get started.
If you are really excited aboutwhatever you're thinking about
doing, if there's a product oran idea that you're excited
about, just move forward.
Don't get analysis, paralysis,right.
You can think about it andthink about it and think about
(26:51):
it.
But what are you doing?
Just do.
Even if it's a baby step, evenif it's just one thing a week or
one thing in my case it was Itried to do two or three.
I tried to try to touch thisbusiness multiple times a day
because of the type of businessand now the place where I am, I
don't necessarily have to.
I kind of get stopped.
(27:14):
Right, I'm direct to consumersales, but I'm working on future
patterns and I'm working on newshows and I'm researching all
of this stuff.
So, but it's, it has to moveforward.
It's not going to go somewhereuntil you start touching it and
doing something to push itforward.
(27:37):
And don't be afraid, just justdo and do it scared right, do it
scared right and do it scared,but do it anyway.
Yeah, there's uh.
Yes, you're gonna be vulnerable, yes, you're putting yourself
out there, but the reward is sohuge when you break through and
(27:57):
you get one thing done and thenanother thing comes, and the
more you do it, it's likerunning you.
The more you do it, the easierit becomes running you.
The more you do it, the easierit becomes for the most part,
unless you're injured but no,but I so, but it's it's.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
It's stepping outside your comfort zone, you know.
However, you end up looking atit like it's.
It's not easy and again,creativity, innovation, is in
your strength zone.
Uh, relying on others orputting disciplines in place for
the structure is very important.
One of the ones I've seen thatyou uh posted this on Instagram
(28:31):
recently was the, the big asscalendar that you have.
How's that working out for you?
I mean, that thing, Chris, islike I got to have one of those
too.
How's that working out for you?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Jesse Hitzler.
He's awesome.
Um, yeah, I love it.
I love it.
I try to book my shows monthsand months in advance.
So, for instance, I have fourshows already booked for the
fall season and it just kind ofgives you a perspective of I was
writing them all down on mywhiteboard and that just didn't
really help me, because there'llbe a time that I'll find out
(29:04):
about an event and I have to goback and look through my
calendar.
So that calendar just helpsremind me that you're not
stagnant, You're moving forward,You've got plans.
It almost is a little bit of amotive.
It actually is a very bigmotivator because it's me seeing
that I have deliverables comingright.
(29:24):
So I see that I have a showcoming in two weeks, or I would
show it to you today but it'sdownstairs.
But it was my first one thatI've ever purchased and I think
it was a great investment.
I really like it.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
Well, I love the console.
I kind of put a pull-outcalendar on 8.5x11 that looks
out for the year as to where I'mgoing to be.
I love the concept behind it,but I really love the idea of a
big calendar right in front ofyou that says here's where,
(30:01):
coach, unsolicited advice Sorry,it comes out Is to you know,
not you know.
You color code that bigcalendar with the business side,
but it also allows you theopportunity to put the family
side into it as well.
As you're still, while we maybe empty nesters, you're still a
mom and you still have totravel to see your kids or they
travel to see you and seeingfriends.
(30:22):
All those things putting thosebig rocks into that big calendar
as well can be very visible tomake sure that you can see from
a short distance away.
If I have some balance, if Ihave, if I, because as a
solopreneur, as you say, you'redoing it all and there's no
(30:42):
doubt that it can take it all,if you allow it, 24-7, because
it never shuts off.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
I mean.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
B2C never shuts off.
You've got the website thatmakes that happen.
So one more question for youjust in terms of about Susan
Campbell, and then, kind of,we'll get some contact
information from you and I'llmove on to the last question but
you've mentioned this a coupleof times in the interview about
you know God or your faith.
How has your faith played apart in this journey as well for
(31:13):
you as a solopreneur?
Speaker 1 (31:18):
Well, I, I totally I'm sorry you're going to get me
emotional I couldn't do thiswithout, without God.
I mean, he is, he has held myhand through all of the
challenges, all the questions,all the doubts and, um, I know
(31:39):
that, uh, I have like a it feelslike a daily prayer of you
gifted me this, thank you.
I just completely attributethat and I know that there's a
plan out there and he is, he'sput it in front of me and but I
need to be, I need to be readyto do the work.
I can't expect to just fallinto my life and into my lap,
(32:04):
but he does move mountains andhe does open opportunities, he
does open up doors and he putsme in the right place.
And it's just having thediscernment of knowing what's a
good fit and what isn't a goodfit, knowing what shows to go to
.
I struggle a little bit with you, know exactly where am I
(32:24):
supposed to be.
Struggle a little bit with you,know exactly where am I
supposed to be.
So, because my time isimportant and I, I want to find
the places that build themomentum.
Does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (32:34):
I just I'm following you a hundred percent, I mean
again as.
I just as I listened through theparable of the talents, to make
sure you're using the giftsthat he's given you to make a
difference.
I absolutely love that I'mtalking about.
He has a plan, and I can goback to Jeremiah 29, 11.
We're talking about he's got aplan for you.
It's not always perspective,because there are some bad times
in the Old Testament withregards to how Jeremiah was
(32:56):
talking about that, but he's gota plan.
And all the way back to yourvery first story about childhood
, it started there.
He's always been with you onthat journey, uh, as you've
moved through this and thepeople that he continues to put
in your life and theopportunities, uh, for those to
provide you that guy, and so Iappreciate sharing.
I didn't, uh, there was nointent behind the question to
(33:17):
get you emotional.
I mean I could probably counton one hand, the number uh, but.
But I understand that in termsof that importance and I can see
that.
So I appreciate you sharingthat with the listeners as well.
The listeners are going to wantto stay in touch with you and
learn more about Porch Pop andabout Susan Campbell.
Where can they find out moreabout those things?
Speaker 1 (33:38):
Oh, great, and yes, you can reach me on all the
socials.
I'm at South23rd orsouth23rdcom.
We have a website and if you'reinterested, you can hop on and
get on the mailing list.
That's something that I'mworking on now and I also have
(34:01):
some seasonal blogs on there, soyou can see that.
But I post daily on Facebook,instagram, and then I have a
YouTube channel and a Pinterestchannel, so you can check all
those out.
Speaker 2 (34:14):
Fun Instagram follow folks.
I'll put the links in the shownotes for all those different
handles for Susan, get out thereand follow her.
And yes, I just learned todayabout her YouTube channel as
well, following her.
And yes, I just learned todayabout her YouTube channel as
well, and she's got some funvideo shorts there where she
talks about some, even someother products that bring some
joy to her life, if you will, asyou go forward.
(34:35):
So, susan, I know I'veappreciated the time that you've
invested today with thelisteners of the Uncommon Leader
podcast.
I will finish you with the sameway I finished all the other
listeners.
I'm going to give you abillboard.
You can put that thing anywhereyou want to.
What's the message you're goingto put on that billboard and
why do you put that message onthat billboard?
Speaker 1 (34:55):
I think my billboard would say trust your intuition.
I just have needed to lean intowhat I really felt was the
feeling of what your gut feelingRight.
So I I think that that'sincredible.
It's it's, more times than not,led me to be in the right place
at the right time and make aright call in business and in
(35:19):
personal life.
So I think trust your intuitionwould be my billboard.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
Love it.
Thank you, Susan.
Speaker 1 (35:26):
Thank you, susan.
Thank you, this was great.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
It's a really good time.
I enjoyed it a bunch as well,and I know the folks have
enjoyed it.
Thank you so much.
Be well.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
And that wraps up another episode of the Uncommon
Leader Podcast.
Thanks for tuning in today.
If you found value in thisepisode, I encourage you to
share it with your friends,colleagues or anyone else who
could benefit from the insightsand inspiration we've shared.
Also, if you have a moment, I'dgreatly appreciate if you could
leave a rating and review onyour favorite podcast platform.
Your feedback not only helps usto improve, but it also helps
(36:01):
others discover the podcast andjoin our growing community of
uncommon leaders.
Until next time, go and growchampions.
I think the biggest thing is just get started.
If you are really excited aboutwhatever you're thinking about
doing, if there's a product oran idea that you're excited
about, just move forward.
Don't get analysis, paralysisright.
You can think about it, thinkabout it, think about it, but
what are you doing?
Just do, even if it's a babystep, even if it's just one
(00:24):
thing a week.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Hey, uncommon Leaders , welcome back.
This is the Uncommon LeaderPodcast and I'm your host, john
Gallagher man.
I've got a special guest foryou today.
Not only is she a friend of alot of years, actually our best
friend, she was the maid ofhonor in our wedding.
Her husband was the best man.
So, folks, I have a chance toreally entertain you with some
(00:54):
college shenanigans that we mayhave had before and some of our
stories over the year, but we'rehere to talk with Susan
Campbell, the founder and CEO ofSouth 23rd.
Now I'm going to give her achance to talk a lot about her
company, but I'll tell you thisthe approach that she's taken on
her journey and quote justgetting started.
We'll talk a little bit aboutthat in terms of how we get
(01:16):
started later, maybe a littlelater in life, but her story is
very inspiring and encouragingand I look forward to talking
with her.
So, susan, welcome to theUncommon Leader Podcast.
How are you today?
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Thank you.
I'm excited to be here.
John, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Well, it's good and I know I shared a couple of
questions with you and weprobably could have hit record
even earlier on some of theconversation that we got going,
so hopefully we didn't lose anyof that.
But let's just say this I'm notletting you off the hook just
because you're our best friends.
I'm going to start you off withthe same first question.
I start all first time guestsand that's to tell me a story
from your childhood that stillimpacts who you are today, as a
(01:55):
person or as a leader.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Um.
So I think, uh, I, when I lookback on these last few years, I
can see how an experience that Iwent through with my family and
my dad when I was young I wasprobably in middle school and my
father had come up with aninvention it was a can crusher
(02:20):
and he he figured it out, hedesigned it, and I wasn't always
watching to see what he did,but I do remember some of the
pieces and processes.
And then finally they got to apoint where he decided that he
wanted to get a patent for itand they went to DC and I
remember hearing the stories ofgoing through the patent library
(02:44):
and library, excuse me andgoing through the library and
talking to a lawyer and tryingto figure out all that he didn't
end up getting the patent andit was so crazy because just a
year or two afterwards someoneelse had introduced another can
crusher and it was oncommercials.
He was like that was my ideaand it was just kind of
(03:06):
interesting to see it all take,um, kind of how it all took
place and, um, I felt very thatfelt very familiar when I was
working on my own.
So that's something that reallytouched me, watching someone
take their idea and just moveforward with it.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Love that and I think about that from an idea
standpoint and obviously that isreally what brought us to this
conversation today.
With regards to your company,south 23rd, and your product
that we'll get a chance to talkto the Porch Pop I just love the
name of it more than anythingelse.
I think I just like to sayPorch Pop more than anything
else.
It more than anything else, Ithink I just like to say porch
pot more than anything else.
So, linking that back right ashaving a family member, father,
(03:49):
who had that entrepreneurialspirit, that innovative spirit
that was going on, and certainlyover the years, susan has
always been positive andinspiring in all of our
relationships.
Great mom, great wife, raisedtwo phenomenal kids that I still
love to connect with today aswell.
Was there a moment for you inyour founder's journey, if you
(04:13):
will, that you created the ideaand decided, yeah, now's the
time I'm going to make thishappen.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Yes, you know, it was kind of interesting.
Our children are both marriedand living away, and it was
about two weeks before ourdaughter was getting married and
this idea hit me and Icompletely attribute it to God
just blessing me with this idea.
But when I came up with it, itwas one of those things where I
(04:49):
was in a transition.
So I had just left my positionas an optician I had been doing
that for seven years andrealized that it wasn't my
forever job and I was just kindof in a space where I could to,
I was able to explore thisopportunity, and so that's when
I decided and it was just alittle nibble, a little nibble.
(05:11):
A little nibble, you know,because I really didn't have any
experience in any of thisstarting a company, yeah, I
would have ideas, but then onceit really noodled on it, if you
will, for a very long time, overthe next few months after
Morgan got married and then aswe plan for Will's marriage, I
(05:32):
was always working little bylittle on it.
Did that answer your question?
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Right Spot on, absolutely.
I mean in terms ofunderstanding and you, one of
the things you talk about, thenibbles, like the little nibbles
, I'm thinking about it, I'mthinking about it, thinking
about it.
And again, there was probablysome point where you said, no,
I'm going, and I'm going all in,and I know that you're all in.
I've heard you mention beforenot letting what you don't know.
You talked about that frommaybe a business acumen
(05:58):
standpoint, but not letting whatyou don't know stop you.
How did you overcome thatinitial fear of what you?
Speaker 1 (06:07):
didn't know to get started.
Well, I think that myexperience in sales I have 15
plus years in sales and variousindustries and I think the fact
that getting no's and overcomingthat fear of getting that no
helped me with pursuing andfinding out the answers.
(06:29):
It was really kind of achallenge because I had no
manufacturing experience and soto continue and not stress about
what I didn't know, and just, Ithink the hardest part with all
of that was trying to figureout what the next step would be.
What would I need?
And that's a space that I hadnever put myself in.
(06:51):
So when I'm sitting therethinking about what would be the
thing that I would need forthis product, what does it need?
Does it need fabric?
Does it need a cut and sew?
Does it need a what?
What kind of structure?
Who would make that?
So once you start peeling backthose questions, you get further
down and it didn't really scareme too much because I had
(07:13):
nothing to lose.
At that point.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
I felt like so that part of that was again
eliminating that fear was what'sthe worst thing that can happen
, and talking through that.
That was again eliminating thatfear was what's the worst thing
that can happen, and talkingthrough that.
Diving into that though deeperin terms of the I'll call it the
discipline or the habit how didyou learn where you needed to
manufacture, how we were goingto cut it and how do we get the
(07:38):
colors and things like that?
What were the steps that youtook to dive in and make that
happen?
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Well, strangely, I think I probably started
backwards.
I started with a brandingcompany.
I had, um, I had been put in a.
Well, I had created somethingon my own a prototype, if you
will.
That's exactly what it was.
But I didn't know how to sew,and so I I purchased a sewing
machine and kind of taughtmyself, just enough.
(08:05):
And then I got in front of abranding company because I was
like I need a name.
I was jumping to the end andthat is what helped me get to
the back, and that was a grouphere in Greensboro and they
started telling me well, this isgreat.
However, you can't sew thisyourself.
You're going to need to havesomeone else sew this.
(08:25):
You need a, someone like a cutand sew.
And one thing led to another.
They gave me a name.
That person was I can't helpyou, but someone else can.
And then they point me in thisdirection, in this direction,
and I was finally, I finallylanded in front of someone and
they said you need to take thissewn goods class.
And, of course, I thought I hadit all figured out.
(08:46):
So I was like I don't need totake that class, I'm already way
ahead of all of that.
I've got this, this and thisand um long story short.
Six months later I was in thatclass and I said to myself well,
and I even told the instructor.
I said this was something thatI felt like I didn't really need
because I had already gonearound and made all those phone
calls.
And then she was laughing at me, but there were nuggets that I
(09:12):
took from that class.
Yes, I had found a cut and sewby then.
It was just phone call afterphone call.
I can't help you, but thisperson try.
This person try this.
And it finally landed me infront of a cut and sew that
worked.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I love that.
That again, it's like just goin and start asking questions
and you are uh phenomenal atjust asking questions, finding
the right people to askquestions to, uh digging into
that.
I think that's really cool.
If I if I bring that back up toyour point about the brand,
starting with the end, you knowyour website says your home is
where you gather, make memoriesand spend time with the people
(09:47):
you love.
So the finishes and decor youcarefully pick each season set
the stage for moments thatmatter.
So you and I have talked aboutthis before.
In terms of the porch pop, Iwant you to tell folks what a
porch pop is and how you gotthat idea ultimately, but that's
turning kind of the ordinaryinto an extraordinary, that
(10:07):
you're able to see some of thosethings.
So tell me about that quote interms of what that means to you
and the vision of South 23rd,and then sell me a porch pop.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Well, so back to the beginning, when I had just left
my position and it was a coupleof weeks before, as I mentioned,
our daughter's wedding and Ifound myself.
I love to decorate, I love tojust do little tricks, just like
, just like Chris, and sheinspires me.
Honestly, she has such anamazing eye and I'm always
(10:41):
striving to replicate what I seein these home decor magazines,
and one day I just happened tocome across a magazine article
about a family, and I've.
I in this article was a pictureof a family that had just
remodeled this home, and thehome was gorgeous and the family
was adorable.
(11:02):
But what caught my eye was thewhat the photographer had staged
on the front walk some shrubsthat were in a pot, but the pot
was wrapped in burlap fabric.
And I've thought to myselfthat's not really new, that's
something that we have done foryears just to cover an ugly pot.
But then, after seeing pageafter page of beautiful fabrics,
(11:26):
it got me wondering what if wewere to use some some of that
look or those fabrics and takeyour indoor space to your
outdoor space, because in theSouth, well, anytime in the
summer, in the northern areas,we love to be outside, we love
to be around nature, but we lovethe look that we get when we
(11:47):
decorate and make our home spaceours, and so my messaging is
really about taking your outdoorspace from ordinary to
extraordinary, in addition totrusting yourself.
If you like that piece, if youlove the look, it's your look
and you shouldn't you shouldn'trun from that because you pick
(12:09):
that pillow, you pick that printand you pick that fabric
because you left it, and trustyourself so that was really
important.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
I think about the value of that ordinary to
extraordinary and I think again,you and Chris together and some
of the ideas that come out invery common things in terms of
family.
The one I remember really wellearly on when Chris and I got
married, is that she wouldtransfer the ketchup from the
ketchup bottle and it's likethis little glass bowl, uh and
(12:39):
then put the ketchup bowl on thetable.
I'm like that is so cool totake it from like the ketchup
bottle that it's got the heinzlabel or whatever sitting on the
table to a very specialcontainer.
If, if you will and I just makethat up about the porch pop is
it takes that green plastic potthat you get it at the hardware
(13:00):
store wherever you end up buyingthis flour and creating
something very special out ofthat in terms of what it looks
like To me, if I'm really trueabout it, I'm like I would have
never done that myself, but Ibelieve when you know it's
almost like the peanut butterand jelly sandwich always tastes
better when somebody else makesit for you.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
That's exactly right, right.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
And it's just like that flower pot.
It's like that flower pot, theflower always smells better, I
think, when you kind of havethat surrounding and make it
just a little bit more special.
Or in terms of the word, theuncommon, I think we as leaders,
if we think about that as anidea, again turning ordinary
into extraordinary, even in therelationships that we have, okay
(13:40):
, how do we turn it fromordinary into extraordinary?
So I think that the porch pop,the can crusher which I love,
the connection of the idea interms of the innovation, the
ketchup in a bowl versus justout of the ketchup bottle, are
all things that are metaphors tome for how do we create that
uncommon in our leadership aswell, in terms of what those
changes go for?
And I again, I make up thatyou've been through so many
(14:03):
things as you try to bring thisidea, this extraordinary, uh,
into others' hands.
And so you've been recognizedfor this idea.
You have, uh, the Vanity Fair,leanne Morgan, which I love, the
fact that you had a chance tomeet Leanne Morgan as well and
talk with her, but won a grantthere.
Two questions on that, just onthe grant.
(14:24):
How did you have the confidenceto apply for that Because I
know Susan from the past.
There's a little bit oflimiting belief that keeps us
from doing things we want to do.
But when you actually won that,what did that do for your
confidence and your drive?
Speaker 1 (14:42):
So I think what was really cool.
So she was on a tour and shewas on her just getting started
tour and when they announced atthe beginning of the tour they
were trying to promote andencourage women that were not
(15:02):
necessarily in their youngerages, in their 20s, maybe 20s,
30s, but it was really about toempower women.
And but she was just gettingstarted in her comedic career.
She was that, hence the name ofher tour Just Getting Started
and Vanity Fair just partneredwith her and they wanted to
(15:24):
really encourage women that werea little bit older, had already
done their family or not donetheir family, but just coming up
with an idea to be anentrepreneur, start a business
later in life.
And as soon as I heard aboutthat, that just resonated it was
, it was so exciting and I said,well, I'm just going to apply.
(15:46):
It was an essay.
I told him about my business,told him how I came up with the
idea and what I did.
And so I, while I didn't winthe monetary grant, I did win a
product grant and I was soexcited because I felt like it
must have bubbled to the top,because there were many I'm sure
(16:08):
there were thousands of peoplethat applied.
But that made me feel reallygood because I feel very, in a
very similar lane as LeanneMorgan.
She had raised her family andeven though she'd had some times
where she would have anopportunity to speak in front of
groups and do some of herpractice, of her, of her skits
(16:30):
but I I didn't, I didn't think.
Sometimes it slows me down tothink I'm in my 50s and here,
what am I doing?
I'm starting this company.
I'm actually looking to try toget this into retail and that
seems very scary, but it justmakes me feel.
I've been assured by otherentrepreneurs that are telling
(16:54):
me they're saying it doesn'tmatter, it doesn't matter how
old you are.
If you have a dream and youhave an idea, just roll with it,
just go, just do Right.
So that's kind of where Ilanded with that whole Leanne
Morgan grant.
I was just excited to be evenrecognized and felt like it
resonated.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Hey listeners, I want to take a quick moment to share
something special with you.
Many of the topics anddiscussions we have on this
podcast are areas where Iprovide coaching and consulting
services for individuals andorganizations.
If you've been inspired by ourconversation and are seeking a
catalyst for change in your ownlife or within your team, I
invite you to visitcoachjohngallaghercom forward
(17:35):
slash free call to sign up for afree coaching call with me.
It's an opportunity for us toconnect, discuss your unique
challenges and explore howcoaching or consulting can
benefit you and your team.
Okay, let's get back to theshow I part of the.
Actually, the part that impactsme as I listen to it is finding
(17:58):
someone to emulate as well inyour style, someone who has a
similar story to share.
Frankly, that's really what theUncommon Leader podcast is all
about that your story is goingto resonate with someone who's
thinking about that idea.
Who's a little?
You said old, we're not old.
You said old or older, I'm notsure Older, yeah, further
(18:25):
further along in our wisdom thanmany others.
Uh, in terms of getting started, and it's, yeah, you're exactly
right, it's not that easy.
I mean, I think, uh, whetherit's a similar path and me
starting out on my own fiveyears ago as well.
To your point, it's like Idon't know about this and for
you.
What I know about you, what Iappreciate about you, is
positive energy.
No doubt is a key element ofyour success, again as a friend,
(18:47):
as a mom, as a wife, but alsoas an entrepreneur and a
business owner.
So how do you maintain thatpositivity, especially in the
challenging times?
That is early on in the launchof an entrepreneurial career.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
So we're both really big fans of John Maxwell and one
of his trainings I believe hesaid something to the effect of
when you have a win, giveyourself a day to celebrate your
win, but when you have yourlosses, give yourself a day, get
through your losses.
And there have been challenges.
And back to my a little moreknowledge, experience.
(19:26):
What I lack in something I seemto compensate another.
So where my technicalchallenges with some of the
things on the computer or socialmedia?
That that was challenged.
But I feel that when I have asetback, I let myself feel and
process that setback and thenthe next day I pick up where I
(19:50):
was.
And I know that I am.
If I focus, I get what I focuson.
And I I have to keep the eye onthe prize, what I really want
to do.
And if it still excites me,then I want to just keep on
going and figure out okay, thisdidn't work, so let's try
something else.
And just having a positiveattitude seems to make that flow
(20:13):
a little, a little easier.
Does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I'm following you absolutely.
In fact, as you said that, itreminded me of a quote I shared
with you prior to this interview, about a week ago, and I'm
looking it up on my phone.
I'm being rude, I'm looking atmy phone as the time, but it was
a quote that popped up fiveyears ago as we were talking
about the questions for this,and it was on my time hop.
(20:38):
It said never give up onsomething that you can't go a
day without thinking about.
From Winston Churchill.
So I'll bet you thought aboutporch pop for a long time before
you really kicked it off interms of that idea and what that
meant.
Uh, but you never gave up on it.
And how did you, you know, keepthat keep spirit, keep that
fire going to get it started?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Again back to keeping an eye on the prize.
It was something that I reallyloved.
And then, when I startedtelling people about it, they
validated my thought and my idea.
They would look at me and go,oh my goodness, I've never heard
of this, I've never seen itbefore, and I knew at that point
there was something there,there was something to share,
(21:18):
and if I was going through thisproblem, someone else was going
through this problem.
They were finding themselveswanting a certain look and then
heading to the store and notfinding exactly what they were
looking for and ultimatelyputting it off.
And then they found themselvesin a situation which is exactly
what happened to me.
I I tell the story about how, um, I had bought I love these
(21:42):
seasonal plants and I would buythem.
And then, uh, one day we wereexpecting guests and I was
inside cleaning, getting ready,and my husband came to me and he
said what's the plan with theseplants out front?
And I'm like, well, what areyou talking about?
He said there's all these uglyplants.
They're in all these ugly pots.
And what do you want to do?
And I said, well, I'm going toreplant them.
He's like they're coming in 10minutes.
(22:03):
No, we're not doing this,they're going in the garage and
everyone lost.
You know, I lost.
I had taken the time to go tothe nursery and buy all these
beautiful flowers and then myfriends couldn't see them
because they were in the garage.
And ultimately it was because Icouldn't find what I was
wanting.
And if I'm having this problem,I'm not the only person having
(22:24):
this problem.
So let's fix it, let's notcomplain about it, let's stay
positive and let's figure out away to do something different.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
I love that story Filling a need and identifying
that.
Again, back to that ordinary toextraordinary.
I mean you could have let itout there with the standard pots
that they came in, but thesolution you've created I think
is really cool and fun.
And again, I can understand,certainly, the differences in
(22:54):
the home.
You've talked about before andwe know this Dave and I are both
engineers.
That's how we ended up meetingback in college Well, not in
engineering school, but atTailgaters.
So that's probably a story wecan leave for another podcast to
have all four of us talkingabout that and how that worked
out.
But you know you've had to inyour, in your business.
(23:15):
You've had to balance whatmight be, uh, this creative and
innovative spirit with businessacumen.
You're trying to run a business.
How do you intentionally umreconcile those two things?
Speaker 1 (23:32):
It gets tricky, um I it's really easy to get down in
the weeds and I have a trueconfession.
I mean, I have friends likeyourself and other people in my
life that say you got to make aschedule, you got to stick to
your schedule and what doesn'tget scheduled doesn't get
tracked.
That's my daughter.
She's, she's always trying toshare with me that.
(23:54):
You know, you've got to stay ontop of some of these things.
Then I have, you know, all ofmy family will.
Our son is is always trying tofigure out how many times I'm
touching something, what's goingon with your inventory.
And then I have my husbandwho's looking at it and going
this is this doesn't feel verylean, we've got to do something
different with your process.
(24:15):
And so I have all of thesepeople touching all of these
parts of my business and I loveit and I appreciate it.
The struggle comes when I getso excited I forget that I got
to do all the parts.
And but I'm a solo prereneur,right, so I have to do all the
(24:37):
things, but sometimes some ofthe other things, the paperwork,
that catches up with you.
So then you have to come backand just reset.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Yeah, and you and I both read the 4-8 Principle,
right?
I mean, a book that sits overhere is one of the most
influential books and it talksabout at times you got to
schedule your misery and I can.
I can hear like I hate to dothe paperwork part, but I'm
going to have to schedule this,not in my creative time, but I'm
going to have to schedule thisat some point so I can get it
done.
And the other thing you touchedon that's very important for
(25:05):
solopreneurs especially to learnis that there are other voices
that you need to ask for.
I don't know if we get hung upas no unsolicited advice and we
as friends have talked aboutthat a lot and like we're going
to wait till you ask us and thenwe'll give you some feedback,
versus just telling you like yougot three voices, three
(25:27):
engineers in your household,trying to tell you how to do
things like.
Look, uh, if I want your advice,I'll give it to you and then
I'll ask you whether or not youwant to uh, have some input.
Uh, but I, you know, again, Ican, I can imagine that's real.
That, um, that challenge withthree engineers.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
They all think a little differently than yeah,
they're different.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
And and I love that that helps make the world go
around Certainly a lot better.
I just, I love that.
So, um, yeah, what's if youwere talking with someone else
who just needs to get started?
They've been thinking aboutthis idea right For a while.
Whatever that is, whether it'sthe porch pop, or it's the can
(26:12):
crusher, or it's, um, starting acoaching business, or it's
something like that what's?
You know the the best piece ofadvice you have for someone
who's thinking about that you'retalking to on this podcast
right now to say what.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
I think the biggest thing is just get started.
If you are really excited aboutwhatever you're thinking about
doing, if there's a product oran idea that you're excited
about, just move forward.
Don't get analysis, paralysis,right.
You can think about it andthink about it and think about
(26:51):
it.
But what are you doing?
Just do.
Even if it's a baby step, evenif it's just one thing a week or
one thing in my case it was Itried to do two or three.
I tried to try to touch thisbusiness multiple times a day
because of the type of businessand now the place where I am, I
don't necessarily have to.
I kind of get stopped.
(27:14):
Right, I'm direct to consumersales, but I'm working on future
patterns and I'm working on newshows and I'm researching all
of this stuff.
So, but it's, it has to moveforward.
It's not going to go somewhereuntil you start touching it and
doing something to push itforward.
(27:37):
And don't be afraid, just justdo and do it scared right, do it
scared right and do it scared,but do it anyway.
Yeah, there's uh.
Yes, you're gonna be vulnerable, yes, you're putting yourself
out there, but the reward is sohuge when you break through and
(27:57):
you get one thing done and thenanother thing comes, and the
more you do it, it's likerunning you.
The more you do it, the easierit becomes running you.
The more you do it, the easierit becomes for the most part,
unless you're injured but no,but I so, but it's it's.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
It's stepping outside your comfort zone, you know.
However, you end up looking atit like it's.
It's not easy and again,creativity, innovation, is in
your strength zone.
Uh, relying on others orputting disciplines in place for
the structure is very important.
One of the ones I've seen thatyou uh posted this on Instagram
(28:31):
recently was the, the big asscalendar that you have.
How's that working out for you?
I mean, that thing, Chris, islike I got to have one of those
too.
How's that working out for you?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Jesse Hitzler.
He's awesome.
Um, yeah, I love it.
I love it.
I try to book my shows monthsand months in advance.
So, for instance, I have fourshows already booked for the
fall season and it just kind ofgives you a perspective of I was
writing them all down on mywhiteboard and that just didn't
really help me, because there'llbe a time that I'll find out
(29:04):
about an event and I have to goback and look through my
calendar.
So that calendar just helpsremind me that you're not
stagnant, You're moving forward,You've got plans.
It almost is a little bit of amotive.
It actually is a very bigmotivator because it's me seeing
that I have deliverables comingright.
(29:24):
So I see that I have a showcoming in two weeks, or I would
show it to you today but it'sdownstairs.
But it was my first one thatI've ever purchased and I think
it was a great investment.
I really like it.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
Well, I love the console.
I kind of put a pull-outcalendar on 8.5x11 that looks
out for the year as to where I'mgoing to be.
I love the concept behind it,but I really love the idea of a
big calendar right in front ofyou that says here's where,
(30:01):
coach, unsolicited advice Sorry,it comes out Is to you know,
not you know.
You color code that bigcalendar with the business side,
but it also allows you theopportunity to put the family
side into it as well.
As you're still, while we maybe empty nesters, you're still a
mom and you still have totravel to see your kids or they
travel to see you and seeingfriends.
(30:22):
All those things putting thosebig rocks into that big calendar
as well can be very visible tomake sure that you can see from
a short distance away.
If I have some balance, if Ihave, if I, because as a
solopreneur, as you say, you'redoing it all and there's no
(30:42):
doubt that it can take it all,if you allow it, 24-7, because
it never shuts off.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
I mean.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
B2C never shuts off.
You've got the website thatmakes that happen.
So one more question for youjust in terms of about Susan
Campbell, and then, kind of,we'll get some contact
information from you and I'llmove on to the last question but
you've mentioned this a coupleof times in the interview about
you know God or your faith.
How has your faith played apart in this journey as well for
(31:13):
you as a solopreneur?
Speaker 1 (31:18):
Well, I, I totally I'm sorry you're going to get me
emotional I couldn't do thiswithout, without God.
I mean, he is, he has held myhand through all of the
challenges, all the questions,all the doubts and, um, I know
(31:39):
that, uh, I have like a it feelslike a daily prayer of you
gifted me this, thank you.
I just completely attributethat and I know that there's a
plan out there and he is, he'sput it in front of me and but I
need to be, I need to be readyto do the work.
I can't expect to just fallinto my life and into my lap,
(32:04):
but he does move mountains andhe does open opportunities, he
does open up doors and he putsme in the right place.
And it's just having thediscernment of knowing what's a
good fit and what isn't a goodfit, knowing what shows to go to
.
I struggle a little bit with you, know exactly where am I
(32:24):
supposed to be.
Struggle a little bit with you,know exactly where am I
supposed to be.
So, because my time isimportant and I, I want to find
the places that build themomentum.
Does that make sense?
Speaker 2 (32:34):
I just I'm following you a hundred percent, I mean
again as.
I just as I listened through theparable of the talents, to make
sure you're using the giftsthat he's given you to make a
difference.
I absolutely love that I'mtalking about.
He has a plan, and I can goback to Jeremiah 29, 11.
We're talking about he's got aplan for you.
It's not always perspective,because there are some bad times
in the Old Testament withregards to how Jeremiah was
(32:56):
talking about that, but he's gota plan.
And all the way back to yourvery first story about childhood
, it started there.
He's always been with you onthat journey, uh, as you've
moved through this and thepeople that he continues to put
in your life and theopportunities, uh, for those to
provide you that guy, and so Iappreciate sharing.
I didn't, uh, there was nointent behind the question to
(33:17):
get you emotional.
I mean I could probably counton one hand, the number uh, but.
But I understand that in termsof that importance and I can see
that.
So I appreciate you sharingthat with the listeners as well.
The listeners are going to wantto stay in touch with you and
learn more about Porch Pop andabout Susan Campbell.
Where can they find out moreabout those things?
Speaker 1 (33:38):
Oh, great, and yes, you can reach me on all the
socials.
I'm at South23rd orsouth23rdcom.
We have a website and if you'reinterested, you can hop on and
get on the mailing list.
That's something that I'mworking on now and I also have
(34:01):
some seasonal blogs on there, soyou can see that.
But I post daily on Facebook,instagram, and then I have a
YouTube channel and a Pinterestchannel, so you can check all
those out.
Speaker 2 (34:14):
Fun Instagram follow folks.
I'll put the links in the shownotes for all those different
handles for Susan, get out thereand follow her.
And yes, I just learned todayabout her YouTube channel as
well, following her.
And yes, I just learned todayabout her YouTube channel as
well, and she's got some funvideo shorts there where she
talks about some, even someother products that bring some
joy to her life, if you will, asyou go forward.
(34:35):
So, susan, I know I'veappreciated the time that you've
invested today with thelisteners of the Uncommon Leader
podcast.
I will finish you with the sameway I finished all the other
listeners.
I'm going to give you abillboard.
You can put that thing anywhereyou want to.
What's the message you're goingto put on that billboard and
why do you put that message onthat billboard?
Speaker 1 (34:55):
I think my billboard would say trust your intuition.
I just have needed to lean intowhat I really felt was the
feeling of what your gut feelingRight.
So I I think that that'sincredible.
It's it's, more times than not,led me to be in the right place
at the right time and make aright call in business and in
(35:19):
personal life.
So I think trust your intuitionwould be my billboard.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
Love it.
Thank you, Susan.
Speaker 1 (35:26):
Thank you, susan.
Thank you, this was great.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
It's a really good time.
I enjoyed it a bunch as well,and I know the folks have
enjoyed it.
Thank you so much.
Be well.
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
And that wraps up another episode of the Uncommon
Leader Podcast.
Thanks for tuning in today.
If you found value in thisepisode, I encourage you to
share it with your friends,colleagues or anyone else who
could benefit from the insightsand inspiration we've shared.
Also, if you have a moment, I'dgreatly appreciate if you could
leave a rating and review onyour favorite podcast platform.
Your feedback not only helps usto improve, but it also helps
(36:01):
others discover the podcast andjoin our growing community of
uncommon leaders.
Until next time, go and growchampions.
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