As creative entrepreneurs, we dream of the trifecta—time freedom, financial freedom, and creative freedom. What no one tells us, though, is that scaling up the business actually limits those freedoms and pulls us farther away from the joy we felt in the beginning, back when we were just getting started and had nothing to lose. So how do we make bank—without making ourselves miserable? Tara Mangini and Percy Bright founded Jersey Ice Cream Co in the summer of 2010. What began as a vehicle for selling vintage furniture has evolved into an enviable design business. Tara and Percy move into the homes they are designing, drawing inspiration from the space itself to create interiors that are beautiful, distinct, and timeless. Their work has been featured in Design*Sponge, the New York Times, and Architectural Digest, among many other online and print publications. Tara and Percy join me to explain how their business unfolded organically, benefitting from online press without a marketing budget of any kind. They share their goals around creative freedom, discussing their desire to ‘feel like we felt at the beginning, but be less broke.’  I ask Tara and Percy about the pros and cons of working with your other half, and they communicate the way that overcommunication keeps them on the same page. Listen in for Tara & Percy’s insight on the idea of ‘arriving’ as a big old myth and learn why they are scaling down their business to pursue unadulterated creative freedom. What You Will Learn How Jersey Ice Cream’s business model unfolded organically The creative freedom that stems from having nothing to lose Tara & Percy’s realization that scaling up was not their path Tara & Percy’s revised definition of what success looks like How Jersey Ice Cream has benefitted from online press How Tara & Percy are inspired by the houses themselves Why Tara & Percy view their lack of formal training as an asset Tara & Percy’s take on not getting credit for your creative work Tara & Percy’s decision to radically shift their business model Why the idea of ‘arriving’ is a myth How overcommunication keeps Tara & Percy on the same page Tara & Percy’s concerted effort to develop work-life balance Connect with Tara & Percy Jersey Ice Cream Co Jersey Ice Cream on Instagram Connect with Beth Beth’s Website Beth on Instagram Beth on Pinterest Beth on Twitter Local Milk Blog Local Milk on Facebook Email hello@localmilkblog.com Resources Mentioned Jersey Ice Cream in Design*Sponge Jersey Ice Cream in Architectural Digest Tonic Site Shop Showit

What No One Tells You About ‘Making It’ in Creative Business – with Tara Mangini & Percy Bright

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