MEET WEAR THE WONDER
FOUNDED BY
AUTUMN HASSETT
LOCATION: Grafton, MA
@WearTheWonder
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Anne Muise, Boston Women’s Market
BWM: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to launch your business? What are your aHa moments?
Autumn: We're a mother daughter duo. I've always worked with my mom, for as long as I can remember. I started assisting photographing weddings with her when I was 14 years old (that was 18 years ago). I continued working with her through college, designing wedding albums but eventually I went off to join corporate America. I've always thought I'd be an entrepreneur and after several relocations, I ended up back on the east coast and my mom was dabbling with printing photographs on metal and turning them into jewelry. I thought she was doing the coolest things and I knew I wanted to be a part of it, but I was working at a fast-paced startup in Cambridge. In the fall of 2018, I found out I was having a baby, and I knew I couldn't do the commute anymore once I had my child, so I left my job in October of 2018. My plan was to take 6 months and figure out what I wanted to do - I only lasted 3 months and told my mom I was going to work with her and just handle the shipping. This was a year ago. Fast forward, we've launched countless new products and attended tons of events. We've brought Wear the Wonder into an entire new light. And it's wonderful because it's a family business.
BWM: How have you continued to manage the growth of the company while also finding time and ways to invest in yourself?
Autumn: I've always been an early riser, which I think is really important, especially with children. I am up early every day and I find getting ready and enjoying my coffee in solitude helps me set my intention for the day. I plan out my day every morning and always block some time for reading, which is one of my favorite past times (I read about 50 books a year).
I'm also a mom, which is a big part of my life. So I always block time for our library groups, play dates and I'm currently planning out our spring schedule which includes swimming and horse lessons, which I cannot wait for.
BWM: Our Members are often just beginning to grow their business and many are interested in learning from other successful businesswomen. What key pieces of insight have you learned from launching your business?
Autumn: Time management and organization are huge. If I wasn't trained in project management, I'm not sure how else I would keep organized and manage deadlines. I'm not building a hobby, I'm building the next million dollar business. Since my mom and I are the "bosses of ourselves" it's even more important that we hold ourselves to timelines. I use a planner and a digital scrum board to make sure I don't miss anything.
Also, I would note that being active on social media is a huge part of your business. It's almost advertising that you don't pay for, as long as you're consistent with it. And planning is a big part of that. I dedicate time to take product photos, edit them, write captions, etc so that I know I have a great feed that's upcoming.
BWM: With the business acumen you have now, what's one piece of advice you wish you could tell yourself five years ago?
Autumn: Spend time with people. Whether it's family or friends or customers, they should come first. Now, when I worked at a company previously, I was almost like a work-aholic, but I got so much self fulfillment from work, so I didn't see it as a problem, that it was probably too consuming.
Now, nothing is more important than time with others. Not only will you eventually burn yourself out working 16+ hour days (what even is that?!), but you'll be way less productive and likely motivated than you think you are.
“Taking the time to connect with others will bring you positive energy and a new outlook on your workflow when you return. Don’t forget, the work will always be there.”
BWM: We think the stories of failure are just as important as the stories of success. Can you talk about a time that you failed in an entrepreneurial venture or objective? How did you face and overcome this failure? What was the lesson learned?
Autumn: One of my first custom orders was a big one. Several hundred custom pieces for a client in another state. I made an entire presentation, gave the pitch and I waited. And waited. And waited. Don't get me wrong, I followed up consistently, but it was one of my first experiences in the “sales” waiting process of entrepreneurship.
Finally, after one of my follow-ups (that I really needed to know if we were moving forward due the timeline creeping up) my customer responded and asked to actually double the order. I was so excited that I simply responded back with a quick price quote. I didn't realize until later that I completely undercut myself - I thought I was giving a deal of $X off, but I actually discounted by $Y. I was really bummed out because we make all of our products one at a time, so it was a pretty big mistake, but I decided to move on and use it as a learning opportunity. Always wait to respond. Read your email. Read it again. Send it to someone else if you need to. Then send.
BWM: Do you have a favorite go-to business tool or resource you can recommend to our members?
Autumn: Absolutely! I already talked about my love for social media, and I use an app called Later to help me plan my Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest content. I use Canva for all of my design needs – if there is one thing I’ve learned, content needs to be different for each social channel and that takes time. Canva and Later help keep me organized and posting the best content I can. I’m very passionate about the scrum methodology and being agile, so I use Trello to plan and stay on task.
BWM: In the name of celebrating other women what are some of your favorite female brands or shops, local or otherwise?
Autumn: Are you ready for this? I have an entire girl gang, and they're pretty amazing:
Crompton Collective (store in Worcester)
Birchouse Botanicals
Vibes Candles
Kays Crochet
Plainville Homestead
Wanderlost Creations
Red Barn Cookies
The Tragic Whale
Best Dressed Cup
Crafts & Drafts Market Events
PRODUCTS WE LOVE
MOTHER OF PEARL EARINGS
Mother of Pearl shell earrings are one of a kind, just as nature intended, with sterling silver earring hooks.
ORIGINAL BRACELETS
Lightweight aluminum cuffs are handcrafted in Massachusetts and are inspired from their original photography.