Dianne Harper Boyer on Starting Your Dreams in 2022: "Just Start."
Dianne Harper Boyer
There will be days when you think you've hit a home run and days that you strike out. But just keep going.
Dianne Harper Boyer: I am the co-founder of The Harper Girls blog, a lifestyle blog I created with my niece about living your best life at any age. I decided to "retire" from my over 30 year career in marketing in both the fashion and automotive industries (and I've never been busier!). Part of the "why" behind the blog is that when my mom, the original Harper Girl fashionista, passed away in 2016, we wanted to preserve the lessons she had taught us - in fashion and in life. The blog passes down those lessons of the past and adds new direction for the future.
What was the biggest lesson you learned from 2021?
The biggest lesson I learned in 2021 is just to start. If you have an idea or dream in your head, don't wait for it to be perfectly flushed out because that time mostly won't ever come, you'll keep putting it off. It was a big decision for me in 2021 to leave my 30 year career to start on something I had been dreaming about for a while. The unknown is scary. But we picked a date to launch the blog and we stuck to it. Were we completely ready? Of course not. But we got started. And fast forward to today, we are growing and having a great time doing it.
How are you preparing for 2022?
I am a big believer in reflection and learning from what you've done well and knowing what you haven't done well. 2022 is all about listening. It's listening to the followers of our blog and social media and listening to both our gut and each other. By listening to what people really want from you is the best way to provide the content that they want to see. By listening to yourself and your partner you can learn to be your authentic self while providing that content.
What advice would you give other female founders that are looking to create big success in 2022?
Keep moving forward. If you haven't started your business, start. If you have started your business, continue to believe in what you're doing and keep moving in the direction to where you want to be. Know that getting there won't be a straight line. There will be days when you think you've hit a home run and days that you strike out. But just keep going.
What’s your 2022 mantra?
Keep listening, dreaming and moving forward.