November 4, 2014
Johannah Barton, Confetti Design
Bio The path that led her to this point
Growing up my father was a chef and an artist and my mother was a clothing designer.
As a child my world existed of people whose jobs were their passions and gifts.
They were either modern dancers, photographers, musicians, movie directors, writers, artists or designers all making a living from what they intuitively loved to do.
My parents encouraged me to discover my own talents.
My father took to me to Europe on a gap year after senior school where I received an informal education in the European attitude to dressing, food, dining and architecture.
I saw world-renowned art in galleries all over Europe that I had looked at only on pages of books.
This experience reinforced my passion for colour, texture, design of all sorts.
However I struggled to settle on any one direction because I wasn’t an artist or obvious designer and I also had a very mathematical and strategic intellect that needed satisfying to feel in balance.
University degree subjects, subsequent diplomas, many short courses and work history illustrates my challenge to meet both these intuitive needs within me.
I have qualifications in Business, Information Systems Management, Direct Marketing, Italian, Italian Film, Workplace Training, Interior Design, Graphic Design and Photography.
In retrospect I can see the idea for Confetti Design was percolating for years.
I had never been an artist or designer, however my well honed styling perspective and ability to recognize good design had been utilized in every one of my jobs.
Furthermore marketing was the primary task in my longest role that spanned over 10 years - I worked with large corporates and their brand and translating that into a corporate wardrobe.
In this role I worked with Creative Agencies to develop direct marketing plans, including catalogues and websites and loved the balance of strategy and creativity.
It wasn’t until I was studying marketing earlier this year with the sole purpose of launching a business, that I watched Simon Sinek’s TED talk on “Starting with ‘why’” That my greater ‘why’ was immediately evident and Confetti Design was born.
The purpose of Confetti Design is to help other woman realise their dreams by simplifying their website needs, clarifying their customers and marketing and demystifying their online presence.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
My greatest achievement would have to be my launch day.
The fact that I acted on an idea, had belief in myself and that I brought it to life gives me an amazing sense of achievement. I feel proud that I followed through despite the fear, and I now use that experience to support other woman to achieve their goals.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Adjusting to being in a home office alone has certainly been a challenge.
I love collaboration and miss being in an office where there are people to bounce ideas off. To overcome this I am currently working on a collaborative project that gives me best of both worlds, time alone and time shared.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
My biggest lesson and is to get in there and give it a go.
It feels very different to do something you are good and successful at but not passionate about. I had no idea how amazing it feels to be doing something you love.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
Seth Godin is my marketing go-to man at present. I refer to his books The Icarus Deception and Purple Cow daily to get inspiration and to push me past the comfortable.
His writing reminds me it’s ok to have my way of doing things, that not everyone is going to like my choices and to expect to feel uncomfortable.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
I am in awe of Louise Hay and what she has achieved.
She would have to be the god-mother of healthy thinking and healthy living. My grandmother introduced her to me as a child and I have continually come back to her affirmations, tools, life experiences to guide me at different stages of life.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
The advice I would give anyone starting an independent business is to consider who you wish to serve and why. It is also really important to not make assumptions about your customer’s behaviour, choices, likes etc and to always test out your thinking on your customer.
Once you have launched, do everything in your power to add value to your customer, before, during and after the experience of your product or service.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I gained some confidence. I started believing I could start my own business and my idea was worthy.
Confidence leads to courage, leads to action, leads to results. Hey presto you have a business!
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