Choose Brands Doing Something Right by Tiffany Nutt

I like being upfront; I’m going to tell you a few of the qualities I believe are important within a brand.

A few weeks ago I attended an event put on by the Marquette SmartZone - Women in Entrepreneurship. During this event at Barrel + Beam, I had the opportunity to listen to a panel of #bossbabes talk about and answer questions pertaining to what it’s like to be a businesswoman in general, and specifically in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. While this area has a rich and interesting history, with that comes a cling to certain stigmas. It’s really a shame that gender plays a role in what is considered a successful business at all, but it does in our current society. However, hearing Ruth Solinski of RTI Surgical and the featured panelists Marina Dupler of Barrel + Beam, Shailah Bunce of Rock River Farm, Jen Ray of Donckers and The Delft Bistro and Madeline Goodman of Madgoodies Studio, speak on topics ranging from the hardships of being a woman in a “man’s world” to triumphs throughout their businesses thus far was encouraging. The community created by this event highlighted the people in Marquette doing something right when it comes to supporting each other in business, people who are living out #communityovercompetition

Tiffany Nutt/Innovate Marquette SmartZone

The Beth Millner Jewelry brand is doing something right along these same lines. As a woman in business and entrepreneurship myself, I truly resonate with the BMJ way of doing business. Like Beth, I started my own photography brand while attending University - and let me tell you - it was not easy. You know that saying that states, “Social life, good grades or sleep - pick 2.” It’s comical but that could not be truer. Usually, there is someone offering support (a friend, a business partner or a spouse). In my case, my spouse, Tyler, is a supporting figure in business (among other ways), which is why I was able to start when I did! However, it has happened more than once where people assumed he was the lead photographer when we arrived at a shoot location solely due to the leader role associated with his gender. One of my first weddings of the year, my bride responded, “Naw, she IS the boss” to jokes from groomsmen about me being bossy. I love that it makes me laugh! I do believe Marquette is moving out of this way of thinking and I love seeing businesses run and supported by women and men together!

Another way I connect with Beth Millner Jewelry is how they support the community around them through an eco-friendly brand and giving back. These practices I try to recreate in my own life and business.

Basically, the point of this whole blog post is: you should try to support brands and companies that support things you care about and impact society in a positive way.

Tiffany Nutt/Innovate Marquette SmartZone