Styled for Success: Real Talk with Margaret Miller

00:00.51
Betsy Hamm
Oh yeah, you're definitely good. Welcome to Loud and Lifted, the podcast where we go beyond hashtags and high fives to talk about what women supporting women really looks like.

00:12.27
Betsy Hamm
Today's guest is someone I absolutely love spending time with, not just because she finds me amazing clothes to rock, and definitely not because she told me to stop wearing so much black, but because she's the real deal.

00:23.05
Betsy Hamm
Meet Margaret Miller, the founder, owner, and face of Three Little Birds Boutique, a thriving three-location fashion boutique in central Pennsylvania with a fiercely loyal following and a whole lot of heart.

00:34.31
Betsy Hamm
Margaret left a steady career in teaching to chase a big dream, creating a space for women to shop locally for clothing that helps them look amazing and feel confident while providing an exceptional customer experience.

00:45.70
Betsy Hamm
And it doesn't stop there. Margaret has created her own clothing line, Joe Flower, a house designer label exclusive to TLB. But let's be honest, it hasn't always been easy. In this episode, we're talking about what it's like to be a woman building something bold, navigating judgment, and sometimes feeling like you're not fully embraced by the community you aim to uplift.

01:05.69
Betsy Hamm
We're getting real about how to build genuine support, how to find your circle, or create your own, and how we can stop shrinking ourselves just to keep things comfortable. Let's get loud and lifted with the bold and brilliant Margaret Miller.

01:25.24
Betsy Hamm
Come on into the frame, Margaret.

01:35.68
Betsy Hamm
Am I close enough to you? I think so. I mean, we'll kind of like talk better. I think you're good.

01:51.17
Betsy Hamm
yeah and everything Everything's fine. Everything's fine. Welcome, Margaret. Or should I say thank you for having us to your location? We are actually on site at Three Little Birds in Mechanicsburg. And this beautiful room is actually the dressing room. So this just gives you an idea of this beautiful location here in Mechanicsburg. So thank you so much for hosting us and being allowing us to be the first time we are on site, which is a little sketchy.

02:16.82
Betsy Hamm
Yeah, this is going to be a great run through. At least we have like a great background to work with. But thank you so much for having me. Absolutely. all right. So let's go back to the beginning. I mentioned in the intro that you actually started off as a teacher and now you are a fashionista. So just walk us through how you went from teaching to um owning three boutiques.

02:36.47
Betsy Hamm
When I was younger, I was often interested in fashion, doing my own thing. i did my own hair. um I was one of those high schoolers that was a little creative. um early My early days, I definitely thrifted. i My parents...

02:53.32
Betsy Hamm
um you know, were like working class. um My mom was not into fashion, so she wasn't gonna spend any money on fashion um in that sense, but I loved doing hair and whatnot. And um when I was making the decision to go to college and what I wanted to do, i knew if I did do hair though, the one thing she did value is education. So she said, like, if you're going to do this, I want to send you to New York.

03:18.64
Betsy Hamm
um And at that time, family was also really important to me. And I was worried that if I was in New York and work became my life because I know how I am, that I would wait on a family or it might not happen.

03:30.75
Betsy Hamm
So I decided to go with teaching instead. um Not that I was settling, it was something else that um I really enjoyed. Obviously yapping, as my son says, I'm i'm very good at. So teaching about reading, i always enjoyed English.

03:46.20
Betsy Hamm
um I went that route and I kind of made a deal with God and I was like, just give me a girl and I can do her hair and dress her up and I'll get my like little fix, which I did get my girl.

03:57.24
Betsy Hamm
um i in fact, I was taking out her braids this morning because she wanted crimped hair today. oh nice and So I was braiding. um But that kind of propelled me into teaching. And then I had three under three. I had a set of twins. And then I had a baby um pretty quick after, not realizing that it would happen that soon.

04:17.58
Betsy Hamm
um So I left teaching because my paycheck was daycare. um And from there, I hopped into a direct sales called LuLaRoe. I discovered it. Oh, my gosh, the legging error. Can we just pause for that really great time? Yes, yes, yes. um There will be people who kind of...

04:34.86
Betsy Hamm
casually, I don't want to say if they're digging or they kind of make a comment like, oh, you did LuLaRoe? How was that? And I kind of look around and I'm like, well, like it gave me this. Right, and confidence itself. It was a great stepping stone and it gave me the financial um gain I needed to open this because sometimes um it's cute when people walk in and they're like, when when's the next door opening?

04:57.08
Betsy Hamm
And yeah, It's a lot of money to open a store. it's It's a lot of money and there's no bank, even how cute I can be, that's going to be like, oh my gosh, here, you can give it a try.

05:08.42
Betsy Hamm
um So it can be tough in that. So that's kind of how i essentially got back into fashion was LuLaRoe. When I turned 30, my husband took me to Vegas and he had dinner and he was like, listen, I think you should do this on your own.

05:24.93
Betsy Hamm
You're so successful with LuLaRoe. And they pick what they give you. And he was like, imagine if you got to pick all the clothes in your store, how much more successful you would be. Because you're styling. um The girls really like how you run your business.

05:41.84
Betsy Hamm
So he gave me the financial blessing. Basically, he's like, um I'll carry the family. Shout out to Tom. Yeah. I'll carry the family. And I want you to try this because I really think it's going to work. So that's when I opened Mechanicsburg. and then And what year was that when your first location opened?

05:56.31
Betsy Hamm
um First location opened in 2018. However, I started in 2017. kind One thing about building stores is whenever construction tells you, you add three to six months. Learned that fast.

06:10.08
Betsy Hamm
So I redid our basement at a previous home that had an outdoor access that people could come in and shop until... my doors were open. Because one thing um that some people don't know is like we have to buy our inventory ahead of seasons.

06:26.10
Betsy Hamm
So I bought my inventory anticipating opening 2017 an actual store. Well, in an actual store well The clothes still come, even though the doors aren't open. So I have to figure out what I'm going to do. And then also online.

06:39.05
Betsy Hamm
okay and I was very lucky that a lot of my LuLaRoe girls transitioned with me and were rooting for me and supporting me. You almost had to start with a customer base, unusual. when I jumped into a different type of clothing style.

06:52.03
Betsy Hamm
Did you have that like, oh shit moments when and when the doors actually opened of the location where whoa, like what like if this is amazing. What have I done? Or, oh my God, I can't believe I'm doing this. No, I was happy to get all that stuff out of my house. True, true. That's fair. um No, I finally felt official. I think with small businesses, it's some there's some moments where you're like, oh my gosh, like.

07:13.46
Betsy Hamm
I look legit. Like, it could be something that you printed off of Canva that actually looks, like, very professional um to, like, getting our sign our signs done. sure And I was like, wow, that actually looks like a sign that can compete with, like, national brands. Like, oh, okay. So I think it's, like, little stuff like that that I was – Kind of like it's more of like it's real. It's real. I feel official. Not that I'm trying. Like it's not a side gig. It's not a hobby. It's not casual. Well, when you place your first inventory order, you probably realized it was real, too, when you had to send that check. Yeah. And when you got that invoice.

07:47.60
Betsy Hamm
Yeah. I'm sure that ah was part of the fun, too. So what I love about you is you have not just built this clothing brand, which is amazing. And I love that you sell brands that you can't find in other parts of central PA or are hard to find. And the fact that you create your own clothing line is amazing. Shout out my tea my shirt that I have on is a Joe Flowers shirt.

08:04.31
Betsy Hamm
um One of many in my closet that I love. um But you also have become part of the brand. like This is your brand. This is your baby. But you're the face of the brand. And your social media really... um accentuates that. So how, was that sort of intentional from the beginning or that just kind of happened naturally that your brand and and the Three Little Birds brand is so closely aligned?

08:23.36
Betsy Hamm
um I think, it again, it stems back to small business and your every part. it um I didn't have, like when I first started, it was just me. And then I had one employee and we've been growing since there. And I'm sure for those who are, who have followed, have seen, I'm trying to bring in more faces, faces, faces,

08:43.63
Betsy Hamm
My goal is when you walk in, not for people to look for me. My goal, I love when people walk in and they're like, oh my God, Maddie. Maddie's parking. Maddie's here. I mean, secretly I roll my eyes. I'm like, I get it. but um But I want girls to be comfortable with a whole group of us.

09:04.90
Betsy Hamm
Like when I envision women, when they think of, you know, Margaret Miller, Three Little Birds, I want them to be like, man, I want to hang out with them. they look like fun. i I'm sure everybody has this friend. like I want them to think of the friend that like they just go out with and are lifted in the sense of like just good energy and fun and you leave happier than when you came.

09:26.51
Betsy Hamm
And that's what I would like us to be and that's kind of our image and Instagram and that's why we do the song and dance and stuff because we like entertaining and we want people to laugh and smile and have that jovial spirit. Absolutely.

09:41.71
Betsy Hamm
It's a fun environment, and you've done a great job with that. And I remember before I actually met you in real life, watching you on social media, I thought I'd be friends with her. I'd totally be friends with her. So then when I did actually see you at an event, we were in a a women's group at the time, I remember being like, oh, I need to go talk to her because yeah i knew that you would be somebody that I would connect with. Yeah.

09:59.38
Betsy Hamm
we'd have stuff in common. And I think it also, hopefully with the Instagram alleviates the, I don't think tension is the right word, but this stiffness that like business owners bring, like when, we oh, I know the owner, like,

10:14.69
Betsy Hamm
no I am a shit show just like everybody else. ah So people who don't know me or haven't come in or haven't experienced me in person can hopefully get across that I'm not someone to be threatened so by. yeah um you should not be intimidated. As I'm you know shaking hands, I'm wondering, is my hand too strong? Oh, my God, I'm sweating. Oh, my God, blah, blah.

10:36.95
Betsy Hamm
Like I'm in the insecurities of impressing you as much as you think that you're impressing me. Like, I mean, it's just. Well, and you guys, you do keep it real. You keep it real with, you know, you are all the ones trying the clothing on that are in different sizes. I love when you do your. you know, extra small to extra large sizes.

10:54.98
Betsy Hamm
This is what this dress looks on me. Like I love all that. and you know, you show up on camera in front of your 10,000 followers without makeup on and a big zit or whatever. And you just, you keep it very authentic and real, which is your brand. That is yeah true to who you are. i Yes.

11:09.33
Betsy Hamm
I think what it comes down, and this is where my eighth grade teacher comes from. fully out it's just embracing that it is nothing is perfect right your body is not going to be perfect of what you see in your eyes however somebody is out there looking at something you don't you have that that they don't have and they think it is um perfect and beautiful so it's just kind of embracing that not everything, it's going to be messy. And it's just learning how to handle it is I think what's beautiful about it and learning how to embrace it and work with it. And it is what it is like sure that acceptance.

11:42.37
Betsy Hamm
Um, there's so much beauty in that. Like absolutely this is who I am. So what kind of feedback do you get from your followers? Do you, do people embrace that? Or sometimes do you get pushback? Like, why are you, why are you being so real? Um, I, I mean, I've had some people tell me I need to get a personal account.

11:58.62
Betsy Hamm
which is this is my personal account Which is, I was like, guys, i don't have enough time. Like, right I don't have time for that. This is I can only do Instagram. You know, I can't even get on Snapchat. I don't even know where to start there. Um, um So at times, yes, but just – it is what it is. I think the biggest thing with posting is I try my hardest not to – I don't want to piss anybody off. I don't want to create – That's very challenging nowadays. A polarizing – yes.

12:26.17
Betsy Hamm
But I do – I think the biggest thing is I wonder when are people getting the shits of me because if I – get the shits like amanda i'm like i mean i'm tired of seeing my like we need to get some other people in pictures like we got to get some other people on video like i'm getting the shits that means people are doing the shits like um it's like we get it margaret um so it's understanding that too like i'm okay and i understand where it's like i'm putting out too much content of my quote unquote like self okay If that yeah you know i can see that, you know, yeah it's just like eye roll.

12:58.98
Betsy Hamm
um but So we're aware. past I mean, I've never felt that, but, you know, if you do, then keep scrolling. Yeah, it's all it's like, what's it? Fish and visitors stink in three days, like kick them out. Like it's the same thing when you love people, but you're getting a little too much of them or yeah your favorite song on the radio.

13:13.64
Betsy Hamm
When they play it too much, then you start being like and you change the station. Right. I want to make sure that I'm not like that. for people. That makes sense. Okay. So we're in the dressing room, which again, this is amazing, huge dressing room, um which is interesting because part of your job is you get this front row seat of women coming in here and trying clothes on in sort of the main area outside the dressing room. And, you know, as women, a lot of times we are vulnerable to trying on clothes and we're not confident and we think everything makes us look fat or whatever, too tight, too small, whatever it is. So, you know, how, how do you deal with that as the business owner? How do your girls deal with that? Because they're amazing of

13:50.06
Betsy Hamm
trying to build that confidence in women yeah versus you know just having people not want to try on clothes. um You talk about pissing people off. Don't put in a mirror in your dressing room.

14:01.88
Betsy Hamm
ah You do force them to come out. Yes. so i every every store has um one dressing room that has a mirror. However, the way that we designed Lancaster and Mechanicsburg is that it's semi-private.

14:16.91
Betsy Hamm
So you can stay in your dressing room, open the curtain, and still see yourself in a mirror, and you don't have to step out. okay um However, um it doesn't it also allow allows you to open up the curtain.

14:29.33
Betsy Hamm
um So a lot of times, too, dressing rooms can be very small. You're up against the mirror. horrible like lighting i mean everybody's trying but it's still very shadowing stuff yeah so when you step out in more natural light in a bigger space i feel like you see things better um the other reason we have you step out is literally for sizing so many people are wearing the wrong size so i see when women are stepping out over the years um

15:01.09
Betsy Hamm
They don't like this or they don't like that. um They nitpick at themselves, the details that nobody else sees. So what I try to explain it is I want to make sure they're validated in their feelings. They can have those feelings.

15:12.71
Betsy Hamm
I get exactly what you're talking about. I'm telling you as a person outside of you, right I can't see it. You know it's there. You see it. That's something that's always going to be mentally there. However, this print or this cut, I cannot see it. So the biggest thing, too, is like we're very honest.

15:30.19
Betsy Hamm
um I'm, we're not. I don't think you're fake though. It's not like you're like, oh, you look perfect. And you're like, actually you need to. no up down never stripes stone never. always very authentic.

15:40.81
Betsy Hamm
Yes. But we also want to be cautious too and skirt around. Um, feelings of you you have to be careful where it's like you telling women, like, I think you should size up for the way that it hangs on you. So oftentimes I self, is the word self deprecate?

15:58.61
Betsy Hamm
Is that the word? Essentially, yeah I use myself in as an example. yeah So like I have a button thighs and a small waist. So I usually have to go up for it to fit my thighs. um And oftentimes too, if we have new mothers in, i I can be an example. Like I will pull up my shirt And show them, like, I have all these stretch marks. So, like, I have to loop.

16:17.21
Betsy Hamm
So I find sometimes where I talk about my body issues and what I have to work with, it makes them feel more comfortable. That's fair. Because sometimes they'll walk in and we, quote, unquote, look like, oh, your hair is done or either like you caught me on a good day.

16:33.06
Betsy Hamm
I think that's sometimes, too, why when I am in here, There's days that I look great, but I also like looking normal, no makeup, my hair isn't done because it's a reminder that it's like these we aren't perfect. Right.

16:45.75
Betsy Hamm
Right. And a lot of times women are vulnerable here and a lot of them come in without makeup and they're in between errands. And so I always tell them, I'm like, listen, if you're vibing with yourself now, it's only going to get better. Nice. Like your hair is done, your makeup is done. It's going to be a look.

17:00.45
Betsy Hamm
um so that's kind of oh that makes sense how about that feeling though when when you have found the perfect outfit for somebody right and they walk out of here so confident and excited that they have something that's gonna make them feel good yes um i get excited but it's not for me finding the the perfect outfit for them um it's more i get excited because of the their facial expressions and like they truly like feel good sure um so it's not so much what i did it's more about how they feel yeah yeah leaving um and the best is when you see pictures of them posted i love when people pick ah dresses for significant moments in their life or outfits or when they're feeling most vulnerable okay they come here and we get to help them i love that and that's

17:51.02
Betsy Hamm
that's a, um, such ah a compliment sure that we take very, very seriously and a lot of pride in. No, I love that. You're helping to build confidence and a lot of people don't have that opportunity in their life. So the fact that you help people build confidence that they go out and hopefully, you know, have a better day or more supportive of women. That's, that's awesome. Yeah.

18:07.55
Betsy Hamm
That's quite the responsibility. All right, let's switch gears a little bit. Let's talk about circles. So like to talk about circles because I feel like it's really important for women to have circles around them that are supportive. So professional, personal, social, family, you know, there's all these different circles. So talk to me about your circles as it relates to your business. Because as a small business owner, I think it's very challenging probably to build your circles because you're kind of on this island by yourself. You're the owner. You have a great team. and That's awesome. But how do you build those circles within the community with other small business owners?

18:37.78
Betsy Hamm
think it's very hard because you are very um busy and and involved with what you have to do with a lot of responsibility. Having a partner who supports, and I've said this since the beginning, my husband, who gets it, um who understands and who supports and who doesn't ah guilt me into like having to work late or I got caught up with a client, but is more understanding or Like I'll have ladies that came into Hershey and they're like, we were having lunch the other day and i think it was your husband who came over and said you that we had to come in here. How about the fact that he also wore your jeans? Can we also acknowledge him for that? Yes, yes. That's how supportive is. mean, he's helping my Instagram grow. Right.

19:25.64
Betsy Hamm
Him and a lot of females who are enjoying his thighs. But I will say it starts with having a supportive partner in that sense. um And ah family always helps.

19:37.99
Betsy Hamm
My mom retired and she works here and it's wonderful when she's here because I know she's doing great things because she wants this to succeed and she sees how much time and effort I put into it.

19:48.65
Betsy Hamm
Yeah. But I have limited friends. I don't have a lot of friends. um I have one, like, best friend. And it's it's super funny. And other businesses do comment on this on Instagram. But when somebody comes in and they're like, I'm friends with the owner, our girls, like, laugh.

20:06.86
Betsy Hamm
Because I only have, like, one one friend. um yeah they Shout out Martha. Shout out Martha. I only have like one friend essentially who I get to, you know, have lunch with once a month and she's like, spill your beans, like what's going on, which has been such a blessing for me.

20:25.19
Betsy Hamm
But it's hard entering circles and trying, you know, I told my eighth graders when I'm like, this is where it ends. This is where social kind of ah standings and relationships and all of it Like this is where it ends.

20:43.87
Betsy Hamm
Everybody just gets a little bit taller. um But it can feel it can feel kind of clicky like high school. um And it's hard to break into different barriers, whether it be industry, whether it be if you're a transplant. Like I'm a transplant here in Cumberland Valley.

21:01.80
Betsy Hamm
um Whether you've come from, you know, I came from teaching. So if I have connections to teachers, and again, I'm a transplant, so there's not, um a community where of teachers where I came from in that sense.

21:16.14
Betsy Hamm
um So I think my circle, I'm trying. um i think sometimes too, if six, if this is where success stands in where, you know, I have three boutiques I'm working on number four, as long as the economy doesn't go crazy right now um where it's like, am I, I'm,

21:36.83
Betsy Hamm
Are people put off by that? um I don't know. we try to do what we can to break barriers and make connections.

21:49.48
Betsy Hamm
So if if you could if you could wave your magic wand and fix that, right? Like what would that look like? What would your ideal professional community circle look like? How would you guys support each other? text Text message, random text messages. Oh, okay, okay. And i tried to I try to do that myself um for other business owners, just sending them, like, a reminder of how hard it is. Not many people choose to do this.

22:13.33
Betsy Hamm
yeah What they are doing makes a difference. Yeah. Obviously, like just meetings and you don't want to have like vent or like rant meetings, but almost like a validation where there's things that we can't publicly talk about.

22:29.33
Betsy Hamm
And it's good to know you're not alone, right? You're all going through the same thing. Exactly. Same challenges. and And again, because of teaching. Sometimes it's hard to to not take things personally when you're a teacher because you're so invested and so closely tied to what you are doing.

22:46.42
Betsy Hamm
And the same thing is with your business. Like you're trying every day to make the right decisions. for what you feel is for not it's right decisions for the business but it's like i always say don't think about the goose think about the gander it's not what's good for the goose it's what's good for the gander so oftentimes decisions i'm making aren't even good for me and there are times where it's still not good enough um you know it's never enough and unfortunately with big corporations like amazon

23:18.08
Betsy Hamm
um you know, Timu, Xien, like this whole type of shopping environment and understanding. You know, I made the comment, which got a lot of responses from boutiques.

23:29.90
Betsy Hamm
Don't place corporate expectations on small business, just as when you walk into a Target, when you walk into a Nordstrom, you don't expect them to know your name. True.

23:40.47
Betsy Hamm
But when you walk in here, you expect us to know your name because you've been in here and it's just us and we're small and we know you. So unfortunately, i think there's business owners in each industry that feel that the environment of the economy and just expectations of like of the consumer has changed and it's making it harder and harder for a small business to

24:08.52
Betsy Hamm
compete with that and that's why you guys all need to be connected in some kind exactly exactly each other and that's where I mean you hear it all the time like community over competition you hear and hear it however there's still this sense it's quiet um this sense of like if somebody else is getting a client or has or you saw somebody there right you get this like Oh, my God, they're not shopping with us.

24:34.81
Betsy Hamm
And then that's that lost essential finances. And you feel like, oh my gosh, like, are we losing clients um in that sense? But it's also the understanding is there's so many people. And it's I want people to be able to find clothing all around.

24:50.31
Betsy Hamm
right central PA. Yeah. No one's going to shop only at one location. No. you It's the same of like eating out. Like you're not going to eat out. You're not going only shop or at one restaurant. The same restaurant every time. So it's kind of like pushing out that fear of because somebody else is shopping with somebody else. It doesn't mean they hate you. Right.

25:07.17
Betsy Hamm
Like take it out of your mind. um But, and that's where, um so for example, I'm going to use um some boutiques if that's okay. So for example, like if I have somebody coming in and they're a little bit older and they want a conservative, say they're going to the baptism they want more of a conservative dress, right? And and we don't really have anything.

25:26.42
Betsy Hamm
I'm sending them to little black dress. We have a girl coming in. She's headed to Nashville, bachelorette party, like ye sparkles and blah, blah. And I'm like, ah I don't really have it anything. right Okay. I'm sending her to apricot lane.

25:37.55
Betsy Hamm
um uh i had clients in here and they love frame they love frame denim and i'm like don't go to king of prussia go to maggie adams she carries frame like go there first yeah lululemon lot of people don't know this shout out um fleet feet which is where i get my sneakers and stuff um oh fleet feet carries lululemon i didn't even that said nobody knows that yeah and i'm like screaming that like don't order online it's the same price right same price right get it from them um Yes. And they're they're nice.

26:06.14
Betsy Hamm
And they're people that we see every, you know, yeah not every day, obviously. Sure. But they're in our community. Absolutely. um So it's kind of like in that sense, too, where...

26:17.10
Betsy Hamm
you know, trying to make go and going back to circles and stuff as I'm trying success, I think is also like part of it and like opening yourself up to those connections. And I think it starts to like in your actual industry starting there, because you're going to have the most in common. Right. but Absolutely. yeah If we alleviate that kind of tension.

26:38.09
Betsy Hamm
I think that's going to build ah stronger community. I think it's something to be said if women see us united yes as a group of shopping options, um I think they would be more inclined to be like, we have great stuff here. Right. Instead of thinking, oh, I need to go somewhere far to find something special. Sure.

27:00.32
Betsy Hamm
Makes sense. Yeah. no And you're right Sometimes I think it's a tension piece that people just don't want to take the first step. So, you know, if it's trying to reach out first and be, you know seeing people in person or going into their shops I hope maybe it'll help sort of start to facilitate those yeah and just even like a working um understanding of even how we can provide better shopping for you know our community um you know better environments essentially for our community so what's something you wish Mormon knew about what it takes to run a business like this

27:40.34
Betsy Hamm
Okay, say the question one more time. What's something you wish more women knew about what it takes to run a business like yours? um Words are very strong.

27:52.88
Betsy Hamm
And um the impact that they, customers have a lot of power and ah financial power. Yes, obviously.

28:04.90
Betsy Hamm
But words have a lot of power in them. And I, again, going back to the business, you try so hard and try to do the right thing and the and the best thing of like what you can. And um there are oftentimes when you run a business, you give everything you can and it's never enough.

28:21.72
Betsy Hamm
It's never enough. So it's trying to figure out that balance of trying to make everybody, I mean, literally people are like, you can't make everybody happy. That's, that's literally my business is trying to make everybody happy. Right. Right. Um, so sometimes when I hear phrases like that and, um, you know, you don't want to be a people pleaser again, I'm in the business of pleasing people. Right. Um, so I think the biggest thing is, um, like words, um,

28:50.15
Betsy Hamm
are very powerful and actions are very powerful. Like the little things that you do are so impactful, whether you're a client, you know, just shooting a text to a business owner saying, oh my gosh, I was in today. And, you know, um Brooke was absolutely amazing. She did this, this, this, like the little thing is what keeps me saying, okay, I am enough.

29:15.12
Betsy Hamm
Like I, am I am, I'm we're doing okay, like we're making people happy. um So words and actions are are powerful and it's the little things that you might not think,

29:27.96
Betsy Hamm
and And I don't know if this is a call to action, but I challenge anybody, like, on a drive, anytime you drive somewhere. Like, you don't drive and text. That's not what I'm saying. But anytime you drive somewhere, i think of somebody.

29:39.59
Betsy Hamm
And whenever, right before you walk in your house, the restaurant, whatever, whoever you you were thinking of, just text them. Hope you're having, like, a great day. it's it's That's so powerful. Sure. Because it lets somebody know that they're thinking about you. Absolutely. And support. People, no matter what business you're they want to feel supported. You want to feel like you're doing a good job. You want people to be happy. And yeah and yes, them coming back is part of it, but it's just feeling that support and saying yeah thank you or reposting something on social. It's just those little things that a long way.

30:07.96
Betsy Hamm
Even as a as a boss and as a leader here, I try to be very, very aware what the little things like texting and it's not even after a hard situation. It's like on a, um, and not patting my back, but just giving an example.

30:24.61
Betsy Hamm
I just wanted to remind my three managers and I sent them a text message and I say, I woke up thankful today that I have the three of you. love that Um, but that's literally what I thought, right? yeah That was what I was thinking, but I put those words and I wanted to make them powerful and and make sure they know that I appreciate them. I that.

30:43.34
Betsy Hamm
So. I love that. That's great. Okay. We're going it up with a lightning round. So quick answers. The first thing that comes to your head, you don't have to think about this. What is your go-to power outfit when you need to feel unstoppable? Okay.

30:55.61
Betsy Hamm
So I know it's like a power outfit, but I'd rather do power hair. Okay. If you follow me on Instagram, you obviously know that I finally found like my hair and my, like my look, essentially. I'm 37. It took 37 years and like 37 colors.

31:12.23
Betsy Hamm
um But I finally, I've ran from red for my whole life. I finally embraced putting that um red undertone in my hair. And I've never gotten so many compliments in my life. Not only compliments, but like compliments by cool people. Like when you look at them you're like, dude, they're they're cool. And they just like like my hair.

31:30.52
Betsy Hamm
So I would say like a really good hair day. I love that. Okay. What's one guilty pleasure you're not even feeling guilty about? Okay. Work. work um ah where I'm addicted to work I enjoy working I enjoy production so you will not catch me just sitting there watching a movie if I'm watching a movie I'll I will be crocheting i will be working on um our schedule like I will be doing something always productive yes I can understand that uh favorite book unreasonable hospitality um get it it's it yellow and black if you were in business get it I bought quite a few books to hand out you talk about yeah connecting with other businesses um that's great my favorite non-educational book um will always be tried and true the nightingale by Kristen Hanna I can't wait till they if they make that a movie I just it was written so well um I love historic fiction so nice all

32:30.69
Betsy Hamm
right, last question. One thing women should stop apologizing for? Everything. Everything. um I'm sorry is used...

32:42.64
Betsy Hamm
So as a like, as a anxious filler. Oh yeah, that's a great way to explain Yeah, like an anxious filler, like I'm sorry. And they'll be saying I'm sorry to like a statement. And it's like, why are you why are you apologizing? Even I see it with our girls.

32:57.30
Betsy Hamm
We are so quick to say like, oh, I'm sorry. But we're not even sure quite what's going on. And then on the other end is sometimes I think... We use I'm sorry as a get out of jail free card where I'm going to do whatever the hell I want.

33:12.59
Betsy Hamm
And now I'll just be like, sorry about that. Because we are also conditioned to say my two most hated words in the English language. It's fine.

33:26.18
Betsy Hamm
how often do we say, oh, it's fine. And in our heads, we don't mean it it is not fine. It's not fine, right? um So I'm sorry could be a whole other podcast with the complexities of how we use it today.

33:40.08
Betsy Hamm
um But I do think women apologize for um they say, I'm sorry for all everything. So, all right, well, we're wrapping up here. This has been an amazing conversation, but any parting words, any other advice that you want to share with our listeners?

33:53.56
Betsy Hamm
um The one statement that I really wanted to share and just especially with the state of everything that's happening in the world is that every dollar you spend is a statement for the type of world you want to live in.

34:06.15
Betsy Hamm
um i think that's an excellent statement of just be more aware. um And it's obviously we want you to spend dollars with small business and and in that sense. However, look at what you're spending your money on.

34:18.72
Betsy Hamm
in the sense of when you are getting a quote unquote deal or that dress was only $20, something has to go super wrong and um kind of questionable for it to be $20.

34:32.98
Betsy Hamm
It's like if we were drinking wine right now and I was like, here's my $5 bottle of Merlot for you. You'd be like, and okay, right? Drinking and you're like, oh my God, right? but we aren't questioning why we're putting a shirt on our body that was only $5.

34:47.50
Betsy Hamm
um So looking at in that nature, and I know as a business owner and other people can imagine, when you buy ah shirt, it doesn't pay for just the shirt and just the fabric, but everybody who made it, it's all of its working parts.

35:02.02
Betsy Hamm
So that is like where it starts to get very questionable. so That's great advice. Thank you. Well, thank you so much for hosting us here in your beautiful space. Thank you for having me. We greatly appreciate that.

35:14.98
Betsy Hamm
Okay, do I need to get out of frame? I think you're good. Hopefully I was okay. No, that was great. I feel like I was more worried. Yeah, you were good. That was great. Whoops, I get in trouble for now.

35:29.87
Betsy Hamm
Huge thanks to the fearless, fabulous, and always stylish Margaret Miller for showing up, speaking truth, and reminding us that success means more when it includes real relationships and mutual support. If you're ready to support a woman-owned business that's serious style, check out the Three Little Birds Boutique online or at one of their three fabulous locations in Mechanicsburg, Hershey, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

35:50.11
Betsy Hamm
And definitely follow them on Instagram for fashion and fun. Whether you're running a business, chasing a dream, or just trying to find your circle, we hope this conversation helped you feel a little more seen and a lot more lifted.

36:01.30
Betsy Hamm
If you love this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman who needs to hear it. Let's stop gatekeeping and start amplifying. Until next time, stay loud, stay lifted, and never apologize for shining bright.

36:16.32
Betsy Hamm
No, that was really good.