The Other Entrepreneur in My Home

“Do not turn into her Director of Marketing!”

This was the advice a friend gave me when I related to him that my wife, Celeste, was getting into the haberdashery business via J. Hilburn. She is one of a number of reps in the U.S. who provide made-to-measure, high-quality custom clothes for men.

At our kids’ ages, I knew she wanted to spread her wings and do something that was a fit for her. As I’ve worn JH clothes for years, and think they do an awesome job, my (then) representative encouraged her to jump into it. And it’s been so cool to watch her invest her time and talent into what seems like an ideal career for her, given her own fantastic style and overall “way” that finds her surrounded by great friends who have always appreciated her empathy, bright and sunny personality, and overall thoughtfulness.

And because I’ve been in branding for close to four decades (yikes!), for me to not get involved with her business is like telling a bulldog to stop snorting. Impossible! So, where I am careful to not get too involved in offering advice, it’s been fun to help where I can. We had a terrific photo session for her in my office with our longtime trusted photographer and friend, Dom Episcopo, and soon business cards we designed with said photo will come in so she can properly promote her business.

Though we won’t be building out some major brand or doing a full-blown ad campaign, it’s been great to find myself giving her a bit of advice on the sales front. After so many years on the business development front for AgileCat since I started it in 2001, I had to reflect on my own “way” when it comes to building and cultivating relationships. Certainly, more about being genuine in creating lasting bonds – as opposed to dealing out business cards like you’re at a blackjack table in Atlantic City.  There’s a very, very, big difference. Very.

As I carefully introduce her to friends and family alike with respect to her business, it’s been wonderful to see how happy all have been with her very polished approach, and so far, very pleased with their clothes. As as most of them I will kindly refer to as fastidious and perhaps on the higher-maintenance side, this has brought a big smile to my face more than once when they sing high praise for their “stylist.”

I now refer to myself as her marketing intern, and it’s easily been one of my favorite occupations in my career.

Now about that raise…