Entrepreneur to Icon: 3 Things Tory Can Teach Us
J.P. Montalvan • May 15, 2023
“The world will say 'no' to you in a 100 different
ways.
Your job is to keep saying 'yes' to yourself.”
-- Tory
_________________________
Entrepreneur to Icon: 3 Things Tory Can Teach Us
In the dynamic and often unforgiving city of New York, Tory's journey to success wasn’t a straight line. But it was a testament to the strategic thinking, determination, and sense of what people wanted that she developed over time. Tory shared that it all started with a piece of advice her grandmother gave her when she was young. “You never learn anything with your mouth open.”
She started as a writer, advertising specialist and in public relations before she decided to try building a brand. She began designing clothes in her kitchen. As she built her brand, Tory recognized the importance of competence in her industry. She immersed herself in market research, studying consumer trends, and understanding the needs and desires of her target audience. She wanted to create collections that resonated with women seeking stylish, versatile, and empowering fashion.
Tory was a trailblazer in the world of fashion and today her company is valued at over $1B. Her eponymous brand, Tory Burch, became a global sensation.
This month, my Leadership Circle is talking about what I call the “3 C’s of Success” – competence, confidence and connectivity. These interconnected qualities form a powerful triad that propels people toward success. Whether you want to excel in your career, build meaningful relationships, or tackle new challenges, nurturing your competence, confidence, and connectivity will pave the way for you to succeed.
Tory's success wasn’t just based on her keen fashion competence. She developed an unyielding confidence in her ability to build a successful business. She embraced calculated risks, making bold decisions that propelled her brand forward.
She previously told CNBC that she got her “fair share of patronizing pats on the back” when she was first starting out. “I remember when I was meeting with potential investors — all of whom were men, by the way — I presented my business model, which had our foundation built into it,” she recalled. “Purpose-led business was unheard of then, and it was dismissed as ‘charity work’. They only made me more determined.”
Tory also understood the power of connectivity in the business world. She nurtured relationships with key industry influencers, forming partnerships and collaborations that expanded her brand's reach and credibility. In 2005, Burch's business exploded after Oprah endorsed her. The TV star, a fan of Burch's work, called her "the next big thing in fashion." But we’ll before celebrity endorsements, she’s recognized the importance of connecting with customers.
"It's important to connect with your customer base. We have a real dialogue with our customers, and we learn so much from them." Tory believes in the value of open communication and listening to the needs and feedback of customers. She recognizes that through meaningful conversations with customers, businesses can gain valuable insights and improve their products and services. "You have to make your customers feel like they're part of something special. It's about creating an emotional connection and making them feel appreciated."
On Twitter, Tory herself is actually responsible for tweeting. "We think of it as the new focus group for today," chief marketing officer Miki Berardelli said. Similarly, Instagram "is Tory's lens," offering photos of family and friends, Berardelli said. Tory understands that customers seek more than just a transactional experience. By making customers feel valued and creating a sense of exclusivity and belonging, she is forging deep emotional connections with her customers, resulting in long-term loyalty.
As you evaluate where you are against where you want to be, consider these questions…
- How are you building your core competence?
- How are you showcasing your confidence — your mastery?
- How are you connecting with your clients and customers?
Tory Burch’s competence, confidence, and connectivity are key pillars of her triumph. Tory's journey serves as a powerful reminder that in business, competence is the foundation, confidence drives innovation and growth, and connectivity opens doors to collaboration, learning, and endless opportunities.
Her success is wrapped in embracing these qualities. With the 3 C’s, we can overcome challenges, build thriving teams, and make a lasting impact on our industries and communities.
This month, we’ll focus on your 3 C’s. What are your next steps toward growing your competence, believing in your work, and creating meaningful connections? I’d love to hear from you.
Gad was 10 years old when he saw people going door to door, hauling out his neighbors, shooting them and burning down their homes.
Stephen was 7 years old when he was separated from his family, only to find out later that most of his family was murdered.
As a leadership coach, I get to work with a diverse range of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs – quite a few real estate agents, fitness professionals, mortgage lenders, government contractors and others. Come April, it's like clockwork – we all start realizing how easy it is to lose sight of our yearly goals by the end of the first quarter. Life gets busy, we get caught up in the whirlwind of reactivity, and suddenly, those big dreams we had at the start of the year feel miles away.
As most of you know, tragedy struck on what would have otherwise been an ordinary night earlier this week in the heart of Baltimore. The Francis Scott Key Bridge, an iconic structure that spanned the Patapsco River, became the focal point of a devastating disaster that has shaken Baltimore and the region to its core. As I think about the events of that night, there’s a lot to unpack, from preparedness and the “why” behind a crisis to quick thinking and the human capacity for heroism in the face of adversity.
Happy Hump Day!
I don’t usually reach out to you on Wednesdays, and I wanted to share that Wednesday isn't just any ol' day – it's the linchpin of your week. Why?
As I’m sharing with my Leadership Circle this quarter, Wednesday isn't just the midpoint of the typical work week calendar. It's a golden opportunity for us to hit pause, reassess, and realign ourselves with what really matters – our weekly priorities.
Edwin was born in the small town of Steubenville, Ohio. His education started in Miss Randle’s kindergarten and was followed by Henry Orr’s seminary around the block. At 10, he entered George Buchanan’s nearby Latin school where he was called “an imperious and self-reliant young man.”
Edwin’s lifelong struggle with asthma might have contributed to his temper, but so could have the early death of his father and the deaths of his brother and two children.
And on the eve of achieving his life’s dream — nomination to the Supreme Court — Edwin Stanton’s chronic asthma caused his death in 1869.
As I sit here late at night in my parent’s family room, a few hours away from our home, thinking about you, it dawns on me that we’re often wrapped up with how leadership impacts us in the work world. But the reality is that it permeates every part of our lives – and especially our relationships with family and friends.
This weekend, the conversations with my parents are covering a myriad of topics, from advice on navigating parenthood with our newborn daughter to discussing strategies for managing their health.
Recently, Veronica and I took a trip to the beautiful Virginia countryside around Flint Hill, Virginia. As we took in the breathtaking, winter scenery of rolling hills, horses, cattle and more, we decided to stop for lunch at the inviting Dark Horse Irish Pub. Little did we know that our dining experience would include both delicious food and the unexpected wisdom of a heartfelt connection.
Upon entering the cozy pub, we were greeted incredibly warmly. Our waiter was a young man who attended to us graciously through our meal, and when he had to leave was replaced by an older waiter. The older waiter had a twinkle in his eye, as they say, and he immediately struck a chord with us. As our main meal switched to delicious desserts, he engaged us in some lively conversation and took a genuine interest in our newborn daughter in the stroller by our table. His genuine care and enthusiasm was really something.
In the challenging world of Hollywood, with a sea of scripts and opportunities, Reese knew what she wanted. Despite some early success and the offers of darker and more intense roles, she was drawn towards “optimistic” storylines that inspired and uplifted. She wanted to make a meaningful impact on her audience, especially girls and young women.
“I got a role in this movie called Freeway playing this really angry, aggressive, violent young woman who believed wholeheartedly in the truth,” Reese shared. “I had such satisfaction afterward, and I thought, that's what I want to do.”
Closing the Gap: Kareem’s Legacy and Your “Big 3” to Success
In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks and lose sight of our priorities. If you’re anything like me, it happens when we think about the gaps between where we are and where we want to go, in business or in our personal lives.
Kareem dedicates much of his time now to empowering marginalized communities, reflected in his book "Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White." He was asked once about his ability to prioritize amidst the glitz of a storied career.
Getting picked last isn't great. Brock would know…
As February rolls in, it's time for a reality check on our goals. How often have you lost sight of your aspirations by now, slipping from proactive to reactive mode? I know I have in the past. How do we stay focused in the chaos of a competitive, hyperconnected world? That's a heck of a ball game.
And when we lose sight of our goals – our big goals – we are picking ourselves last.