From social media superstardom to bestselling books to their own Netflix series, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit have become household names thanks to their fresh (and colorful) take on organizing and interior design.
The two are set to visit Little Rock on Thursday, Sept. 2, for The BIG Brunch and auction benefiting the Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. But first, we caught up with the duo to talk life lessons, success and the early inklings of entrepreneurship.
The Girl Scouts are big on fostering a mindset or spirit of entrepreneurship in kids. What are your earliest memories of that same spirit, and how did they affect your career trajectory?
CS: Everyone in my family for generations has been entrepreneurial, so I grew up with that mindset. I created babysitting and tutoring clubs, and a recycling service for my neighborhood with my friends.
JT: Even as a kid, I always loved creating something and being able to share it, be it a lemonade stand or even a fake store. The concept of business and ownership always intrigued me.
What lessons stuck with you that you learned early on from female role models?
CS: Never accept the first hotel room they give you. It applies to most things in life.
JT: Being successful (and happy) takes owning your strengths, with the humility to admit to your weaknesses. Also, don’t focus on the problem, focus on the solution.
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Mentorship is a big part of success, no matter what your definition of success is. What advice would you give to someone who has an opportunity to be a mentor, but is nervous they aren’t ready yet?
CS & JT: Take an enneagram test. It helps you gain some personal insight on the way you approach situations and interact with different types of people, which will make you feel more comfortable and ready for mentorship.
Scouts are taught to lead with “courage, confidence and character.” What does that look like in everyday life?
CS & JT: Recognizing your strengths but also acknowledging your weaknesses. Trust in yourself and others to take the lead when needed. We all bring something different to the table, and this balance allows you to work efficiently, divide and conquer and learn things from other people — which is so valuable!
What words of encouragement would you give to your scout-age selves?
CS: When your friends call you weird for wanting to stay inside and organize your markers and colored pencils in rainbow order, don’t be sad. Live your truth. One day, people will actually pay you to organize their things. You’ll even have your own TV show because of it. Like seriously.
JT: Don’t think that just because something doesn’t go according to plan means you should give up on it altogether. It just means you need to go in a different direction. Trust your instincts, and take the knowledge of what didn’t work to help you find what will.
Click here to learn more about The BIG Brunch.