Welcome to Leveling Up with Lindsay, the podcast
where we dive into leadership, small business,
and everything in between. I'm Lindsay, your
host and the proud owner of White Pony Boutique,
a space created to empower women, build confidence,
and foster meaningful connections. Whether you're
an entrepreneur, a mom, a friend, or someone
just looking for a little inspiration, this is
your space to feel seen, supported. and inspired.
Join me as we share stories, strategies, and
a little bit of life's chaos while navigating
what it truly means to level up in starting a
business, relationship, and personal growth.
So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's
level up together. All right, here we are. I
am here with one of my white and peony employees,
a really, really amazing friend, Miss Autumn.
Thank you. Hi. This is my very first interview
on this podcast, and I am so excited, but it
absolutely feels right and natural for sitting
next to you. We've been through quite the journey
here with White Peony Boutique, and we're going
to talk a little bit about that today. I know
you have such an incredible following from our
customers, from your own personal life. life
and wellness journey. I'm excited. I think people
want to really get to know if they haven't already
heard from your story. I love that. And I just
want to say, I've been encouraging her to do
a podcast for years. So to be here and be part
of it is pretty awesome. So congratulations on
that. Yes. I actually told her that we're doing
this on her birthday. Yeah. So I was like, Hey,
guess what? Happy birthday. Not, not maybe a
normal. birthday present, but I was very excited.
It was a great birthday present. All right. So
we're going to talk a little bit about leadership.
Not only do I want to hear kind of your story
and what you were before white Peony and kind
of your journey with white Peony, but I want
to talk about your own professional development.
And for me, it's truly having the importance
of having the right people on my team. I do believe
there's something to be said with you sound yourself
with the right people to lift you up. And I have
learned so much from autumn being on our team
and as a really great friend. So I would love
to know or I think the listeners would love to
hear kind of Who is Autumn? Who were you before
starting White Peony Boutique? What you kind
of do behind the scenes? Yeah. So fun fact, I
went to school for dental hygiene, and that's
kind of where I started. So actually, before
I started with White Peony, I was a dental hygienist
for eight years and developed, it's a genetic
thing, but I developed a shoulder injury that
caused me to take down my hours. And before that,
I was also on a health and wellness journey after
my second child. I had went through a lot of
things and I realized I needed to put myself
forward. So I was kind of developing that part
of me a little bit more on the, you know, quote
unquote, fitness influencer and eating right
and on my own journey that way. But then as my
health declined physically, I had to go part
time and I was like, I'm a very hard worker.
So no rest for me. And so actually it popped
up on my Facebook feed right when I had decided
to go part time that you guys needed help during
the holiday season. And I said, Love white peony,
I could do that. That's where it started. I started
a holiday temp position to kind of fill my time
because I... don't know how to sit down in the
chaos. Yeah. And I, if looking back, I'm like,
that's probably like one weekend. I'm like, please
be on my team forever. Cause there's something
about autumn who, if there's, if I could describe
autumn, it number one is like a fierce work ethic.
That's for sure. But it's for me and having you
come on our team, um, full time was far more
than just a work ethic. I knew pretty quickly
on how much heart you put into the work that
you do, which for me, is obviously very, very
important from the very first time that you came
on to white peony like that first week and you
were like, what do you want me to do? You were
like running around. Where do you want me to
go? What do you want to do? Okay. Yes, ma 'am.
You know, to leading people today, it has been
quite the incredible journey. We joke a lot about
how, when I got hired on, she's like, I had you
in shipping. I knew you were meant for something
else. And it was true. And it was funny because
for me, I was like, yeah, I'm a person and always
have been the person that if you give me a task,
if you tell me something to do, I will do it
110%. And I'm driven by physical results. So
the transition into leadership where that technically
isn't always the case was probably the biggest
transition for me. Yeah. But I think you've done
it well. Yeah. What, what year did you start
with Tony? I was trying to think of this. My
kids just asked me that too. I think it w it
was full time. It was 2020 when I started and
then 2021 when I full time started. Okay. Yeah.
Man. The things that we've done in four years.
I feel like I've been with you side by side with
this journey for 10 plus years. Truly. Like when
you think about it in the beginning of when we
were, it would be go to work. and then come home
in the evenings. And the group of women that
would come on their evenings every single night
to do all the things, like lives, shipping, taggings,
all of the things happened in the evenings because
we were not running at full time. And now we're
running to get out of here by 4 .35 o 'clock,
like running. So it's like turntables in such
a great way. Yeah. We've met a lot of people.
Yes. We've had a lot of events. Yes. We have
moved a lot of clothing. Two and from, and two
and from. My physical activity is always on point.
She's a girl to track her steps. And if she doesn't
ever watch on, she gets upset. And let me tell
you. I'll go back and get it. My stairs are counting.
No, but it's really been an incredible journey.
And honestly, I thank the universe for allowing
our paths to cross, truly. I believe that. you
know, those kinds of things happen for a reason.
I agree. And I think when you pair our drive,
our work ethic, but like our heart and passion.
I mean, we could sit here and talk with you guys
for hours and we're probably going to end up
crying like 13 times in between only because
we're talking about together and that we care
about it so much. But yeah, that's another fun
fact about me. Any emotion other than me, I'm
crying probably happy, sad. I don't know if I
believe that, but I love it. Okay. Let's talk
about your transition a little bit more on what
is meant for. So from very beginning, like just
talk about like white peony. I repeat myself
over and over and over. And I've said it from
the beginning. And I'm like, and this is no offense
to anywhere else, I just really, really hate
the word retail. I hate it. I hate it because
I think because I grew up where retail was like
the longest hours, the weekend hours. You knew
that you weren't getting any Christmas time off.
I worked at a retail location for. Three months.
Three months, then that was it when I was younger.
And I can't remember if I was a senior in high
school or just fresh out of high school. But
it was literally, no offense. And I'm not saying
anything. We will not say where it was at. It
was the most boring, awful three months. I always
say that because I literally, while folding,
I walked in. It was uncomfortable because I didn't
know anybody. And I folded clothes. the entire
time. And I watched my, I even got a watch, honestly.
I put a watch on, I never wore watches, but cause
I was like looking at the time counting down
and you know, you're not supposed to do that.
Like that just makes it go up and soar. So going
from, you know, working with my family at the
Minnesota State Fair and then folding clothes
for like four hours, it felt like an eternity.
And they walk in and then destroy what you just
did. And I didn't use, I wasn't like taught at
the time. And I'm not going to blame anyone else
besides myself, but I think there's a journey
with learning people skills, but I definitely
didn't know how to use my people skills at that
time. So long story short, I, when creating white
peony boutique, I was like, this is not going
to be your normal retail. And I will like work
sunup to sundown to make sure it's not. Yes.
And you have been a part of that journey, too.
So when I say it is more than just clothing,
it is not just retail. What do you think that
means to you? I love this question. So when I
had started, again, I was thinking more when
I had started what I originally was going to
do. I'm like, I'm shipping. I'm going to come
in, clock in, clock out. And as everything kind
of evolved, that was always a thing you had said
from the beginning, more than just clothing or
more than just retail. You know how some people
can say things and you're like, okay, that sounds
really pretty. But I think the biggest thing
and I'm glad you're doing this podcast on like
leadership because truly you walked the walk
and not just talk the talk. And I'm a people
person and truly it's about the connections you
make with the people that walk in. There are
customers that we've had for years that honestly
come in not even to buy anything, but just to
come and say hi. I know their kids' names and
I know that they just had surgery last week and
some people just need an outlet. Some people
are looking for a confidence booster, some people
come in not wanting to try on clothes, but at
the end of the day, if you can make them feel
beautiful, there's so many people that come in
that are looking for something different. Yeah,
I agree with that. It's connecting. connecting
on a human basis, because truly each individual
customer, we're so thankful for them to be in
our store and come to visit us and maybe buy
some clothing. But it's so much more than that,
because there's clothes everywhere. Yeah. Isn't
that the truth? And it is about being different
and making them feel welcome and like family,
truly. I'm going to speak right now to anybody
that's listening, whether you're a business owner
or an individual, I think for me, I didn't realize
the power and the love I had for connection initially.
But what I did know is that I went through my
own journey. And I think you can speak to this
a little bit further too. But I was a young mom.
trying to get by in life, trying to climb a corporate
ladder, trying to like push against every darn
insecurity that you can come up with for a girl
my age, you know, at the time. And I think that
era too, like I grew up with freaking Barbie
dolls and magazine covers and all the things.
So yeah, I struggled with major insecurities.
I had great friends, I had sports, I had phenomenal
family, but internally I was very insecure. And
I remember there would be like times that I go
shop for like jeans and it would only take my
best friend because I knew that I was like, I
hate jean shopping. I'm going to feel like crap
about myself. I hate it. But what I'm getting
at is like, I wanted to create a space, an outlet.
So when I, in the beginning, I said, white piano
boutique is more than just a clothing store.
I wanted to create a space where you could come
and feel a part of something bigger that is not
just clothing, it's literally to feel good, to
be heard and seen and actually to have a space
where you can relate with people. I think we
also get insecure because we think that we're
going through it ourselves. Well, I know social
media has kind of like done good and bad with
that. Um, but I just wanted, you know, a busy
mom, sometimes you got to cry it out and like
move on. I wanted it to be a space where someone
could come do that with us if they needed and
just know that. You aren't alone and it's okay.
And it's just an experience. It's not just trying
on clothes. Like it should be an experience where
you're finding the things that make you feel
good when you walk out the door. Like I want
someone to be proud of the purchases that they
have because how they feel in the clothes. It's
deeper. Yes, it is deeper. So speaking to anyone,
business or individuals, I think, especially
business owners. It may start, especially if
you're starting a new business, you might not
have all the answers. Like in my heart, I knew
that this was going to be more. I knew that I
wanted to be more. I didn't, I couldn't put like
a thumb on it though. And then I think as a journey
involved, it was very clear. Yeah. I mean, we've
done a lot of things to make that known that
were not just your average retail, including,
um, You know our part -time staff that is incredible
by the way. Gosh Yeah, we have the best group
of ladies here ever but I think it stems from
like you and I and our mission and Even for them.
I don't want them to come and be bored folding
clothing for four hours That's a no, but I think
but it's evolved so in the beginning I didn't
really know the people skills and how to use
that but I knew I wanted a Space where you could
get away and just take your mind off all this
stress of every day. And then it really has turned
into an art of people skills. And very quickly,
I'm like, I love bringing people together. I
love bringing people together. I love it. And
I think when it comes at like your social little
butterfly, that's what my uncle used to call
me, social little butterfly. I believe that you
are as well. And so just in the transition with
the people skills, yes, we're going to talk about
leadership here, but I think there's something
to be said about leading not only our team, but
leading our customers and our community and showing
them them that you truly care. Yes. Right. Agreed.
Talking about just culture in general, we're
talking about a little bit of the journey. We'll
get into a little bit more about your leadership
and whatnot, but culture. How do you believe
or how do you feel about the culture here at
white pony boutique, even in its journey? has
kind of shaped you personally, maybe professionally,
definitely. Yes, that's a really big question.
And I'm like, I could go so many different ways
when it comes to the culture of white peony.
And like I had said before, with the leadership
skills that you had kind of set for yourself,
I think one of the biggest things is empowering
the people that work for you to develop their
confidence in their roles. And that has been
a huge thing for me. And a lot of white peony
culture I believe you kind of set the tone for
for us as your employees and for just white peony
in general Authenticity is the first thing that
I think of letting me specifically be exactly
who I am and finding the skills within the person
because like I don't have the same skill sets
as some of my co -workers do but really honing
in on like who you are as a person and Really
growing in confidence and developing those skill
sets that I have like I'll never be Mama Jane's
charcuterie Queen. Okay, and that's okay. I don't
have that attention detail But that's why you
have people on your team that are those people
didn't she fire you from wrapping gifts a hundred
percent She's pretty much fired me from any creativity
Like putsy. I know autumn's not the girl that
we're gonna do crafting with but she's Definitely
the person, my right hand, the girl. You're on
my speed deck because I need to talk with you.
I need to get. I'm literally a bull in a China
shop. Like it's just, we don't do well with crafts,
but like I'll make, I'll move some stuff, you
know? Um, but the other thing that I think in
general, and I think this is white peony for,
if you work here, if you are someone that walks
in, it's just more of an empowerment thing. I
think when a woman walks in or we hire somebody
it's truly empowered. them to live their own
truth and be exactly who they are today and seeing
truly themselves as somebody else sees them and
I think it takes time sometimes like even with
our customers like they come in and developing
those relationships and you start to see that
spark in them but same with the people that work
here I think every single woman that's on this
team has such strong attributes and such strong
character that it's been really cool. Like everyone
is their own person. I agree. The one thing I'm
so proud of is that our team, the women, our
team, there's one common denominator and that
is heart. Great. So everyone is so different,
but I was like, you know, if the economy does
something wonky, I mean us, we've got two, our
hearts are way too big to slow down. We have
too many things to give and too many people to
serve. But I think of you from, I remember being
out white peonied in the very beginning. And
it's always uncomfortable because I think we
went to market. We had like literally 50 boxes
at the shed. I had called, asked friends if anybody
wanted to come help unbox. It was like before
an event. And we need to get 50 boxes in a teeny
tiny little space. So we had to unpack them.
Now, and if anybody knows our journey and what
we've worked with thus far, we do not have a
warehouse space that is ideal in any way, shape
or form. The shed was originally built out for
warehouse space, but after COVID was like, we
need people in our life. So we made it into a
much bigger storefront than I ever thought. But
looking back at that, I remember I had a bunch
of friends, my mother -in -law, my mom. We were
unboxing. Everybody came after work. I think
we got pizza. And Autumn was running around doing
her thing. And I'll never forget, it was either
that night or after. And I was looking at you,
and you looked just nervous. And I said, I can't
remember if it was that night or, like I said,
the next day. But I remember being like, hey.
You just be you. You're good. Because you're
just like, what do I got to do? I don't know
these people. I'm running around. And so I knew,
and it wasn't in a bad way in any way, shape,
or form, but I'm like, I want to see the real
Autumn. I want to know more about who the real
Autumn is. And when you try to be someone in
a room that you don't know anyone, you know how
that is. You're nervous. Should I talk about
my personal life? Should I talk about my career?
Should we talk about the weather? Which you're
never supposed to do. It's really, really, really
cool. And we've had these conversations many
times. It's like, just be you. There are people
that may not want the best version of you or
want to see that, but there is someone out there
that you're inspiring. I'm inspiring someone
else. Someone might not want to hear my voice
on here. It's just, there's someone out there.
That needs to hear you. Yeah. And who you are
and what you bring to the table. It's so funny
you say that because growing up, I had a personality
that sometimes was too much for people and so
coming too much. Yeah. I was always like, yeah,
I called myself the chameleon that I was with
the popular kids. I could, you know, kind of
try to blend with them because I felt like sometimes
if I let my true self out, then people, I don't
know. I just, I felt like they. I was too much
of a personality and I had you say that coming
into certain situations. But now I'm like, you
know what? I don't know if it's age or white
peony, but all of it. Yeah, all life in general.
Yeah, I'm like, I am who exactly who I am. And
I think I'm a good human. And if I am too much,
then I won't be friends. You know, and that's
OK. I'm not going to be friends with everybody.
But I used to be try to be friends with everybody.
And I realized, like, you're not going to be
everybody's cup of tea. No. And you want to be
just authentically you and you'll attract the
people like I. I do believe it comes with the
age and everything else too. But I believe when
you start honing in on your own values, I believe
that when you start to be yourself, there is
something so darn beautiful in that. And you
actually are going to attract far more people
being you. So that is something that we talk
about on our, I often say with our team. You're
stepping on my cord. My head went like this and
then I wasn't sure if we should keep. I'm stuck.
It's fine. You say where your foot wants to be.
I'll feed on you. Stop. This is your podcast.
If you want me to lower it, fine. No, stop. I'm
moving my cord. I'm just going to keep my feet.
I can't wait to see the video where it's just
like this. It would have been funnier if your
head went like this. Just talking to the side
of his feet. Oh, shoot. So that's authentic.
That was beautiful. If you were here, I just
stepped on Adam's cord or mic. So we had a moment,
but what we were talking about is we talk. amongst
our team a lot, even for those who we hire on
as new. I believe that everyone is an influencer
in some way, shape or form. And I think that
is kind of a leadership mentality too. Everyone
has something different to bring to the table
and that's okay. I think it's so important to
be authentic and be your darn self. I'm not going
to be you either on them. There's things that
you bring to the table that I just, I'll never,
and that's incredible. I love that. I think sitting
at a table with women and men or whoever that
looks like who are very authentic and who they
are, hold strong values, are kind people, kind,
genuine people. Like there's nothing more powerful
than that. So I always say everyone is actually
an influencer and I'm not talking. I am not talking
the social media influencers that are trying
to make money on TikTok and this and that. I'm
trying to change the word. You know what I mean?
Exactly. I believe that everyone is an influencer
because when you walk in a room, you have the
choice to influence the room. 100%. When you
sit at that table for a meeting, you have that
choice on how you're going to influence. the
room, when you leave the room and walk out, you
have a choice how you're going to make people
feel after you've left. So for me, it is, you
actually probably don't even know it, but whether
it's your kids, I'm going to say dog, maybe not
talk. She loves her dog. Whether it's your children,
whether it's your staff, whether it's a fellow
coworker, whether it's a boss, whether it's a
friend. You are a leader. You can be a leader.
You are a leader. You know on the same you had
asked this question and I was thinking about
this because we're in the world of in social
media so influencers and I was like it's it's
not selling somebody something that's not we're
not influencing you to buy a pair of jeans the
point is is influencing you to be your most authentic
self and I want people to see me and I want to
be proud of how they view me I want them to see
the parts of me that I think make me exactly
who I am. And I was also thinking like, I want
for white peony in general, where you're like
a white peony influencer, I want white peony
to be proud of the people that represent them
because they're authentically themselves. Yeah.
Amen. You know, and so it's like a vice versa
thing. Like, I'm proud to say I'm part of white
peony. And you also want white peony proud to
be part of you. I agree. So Whether you're, again,
an entrepreneur or not, it doesn't matter. I
would say take this. If there's anything you
would take from this podcast, it is you've got
to start, or if you're on the journey, follow
along with us because we are here to highlight
and help you deep dive into what makes you, you.
And that is something so special. And I think
I look at the people that walk into the room
and don't give two, you know, what's, and I love
them more. I think they're amazing. Think about
what they do. And for those, you know, like I
said, growing up with a little bit of insecurity,
kind of what that journey looked like, of course,
it kind of everything gets better with eight.
My mom was like, you know, I thought 20 was a
blast. Then I was, I turned 30 and then 30 came
in and went, and then I was like, no, forties
even. better and then she, you know, keeps going
on. She was like, as I get older, it just keeps
getting better. But I think it's because we finally
understand what we bring to the table. I love
that. I know. All right. So I think we're going
to wrap this up here because literally you could
have autumn and I talking with these microphones
for a very, very long time. But most importantly,
like why autumn is here on our very first interview
podcast is because. The journey from autumn starting
my peony until now. Yes, there has been four
years of your own life experiences and there
have been professional development. There has
been everything in between, but you have really,
really grown into who you are. And it is like.
Best friend proud. I can't, I'm not that much
older. I'm not talking about, so I'm not going
to say mama proud, but I'm just as a best friend.
So dang proud. So grateful to have you on my
team, honestly. So we are going to keep kicking
butt. I love that. Now we're on a bigger journey
for Autumn's development as far as a leader.
As she said, this is a little bit on the newer
side. You've been a leader from day one at white
peony, but we're definitely in a deep dive to
something greater. So I cannot wait to share
a little bit. more with that. We'll have you
on again and talk leadership and kind of your
thoughts about it even further. I've got lots
of thoughts on that. We might have a call in
question and answer session. But yes, if you
are a professional, you're a leader in the community,
an entrepreneur or not, I think this episode,
if anything you can take from it is connecting
with people, people skills. being authentically
you, and actually seeking out authenticity in
someone else is such a true connection piece
that I don't think people get sometimes, how
much it means. I think that's, like for me, the
biggest takeaway is that you, as a leader, so
if you're in this and you're going to be a business
owner, what I would suggest if you're going to
have employees is not making them somebody that
they're not, but truly finding their skill sets
and developing those because One you are not
going to harness the best version of themselves
or your business by wanting them to be somebody
that you're not But to you're going to create
a human an employee for life when you develop
somebody and really let them be them and harness
their good energy and harness their skill sets
and really let them develop that and believe
in them along the way because I've worked at
many different places. And I think one of the
biggest things and why Lindsay's this podcast
is what it is, is because she leads by walking
the walk, not just talking the talk and truly
looks at each individual that she comes in contact
with and sees them for who they are. I love that.
I'm getting a little choked up here. You keep
looking me in the eye. Just know that this is
a journey. So I could have Mindy come on here
to one of our other white piano plays and talk
about this because we're honing in on it with
our retail staff or part time staff. It's a little
bit of a journey, but I encourage you, I encourage
you to like look at what makes people tick, find
out what motivates them. It's not going to be
a set in stone. Yep. what they're good at right
off the go. You might have to fumble a little
bit. But there is an evolution there that is
so important. But we have never had a cut and
dry black and white job description. And I'm
really proud of that. Has it taken a lot more
work on the back end? I think so. But I'm really
proud because we, from everybody, you, Tara,
Emily, Mindy, myself, my mom, where everyone
was started, it has evolved based on listening
and holding in on each individual's skills and
talents and strengths. And even for where my
position is now, I remember the day that it just
clicked. I was like, I get it now, you know,
because to transition from I'm the girl that
rolls up her sleeves, physically moves things
and makes things happen to really developing
the leadership skills of knowing, like looking
at the bigger picture and connecting your team.
That was huge. Yeah. It's a huge step. Yeah.
Amen. All right. So overall, we've talked a lot
about white puny boutique because We are on a
mission that it is not your average retail, your
clothing store, but I hope that you take from
this what it is to hone in on authenticity. There
is definitely leadership skills and in your mixed
in there. Talk about that more, but honestly
hone in on your people. Yeah. and love them hard.
So thank you guys. Thank you for being a part
of this podcast episode. Thank you, Autumn. Thank
you for having me. Cheers with our coffee. Cheers.
You guys wait till you see the outtakes. But
I know this is like, I can't wait to look back
on our 100th episode. And we're like, do you
remember that first one? Yeah. Embarrassing.
I'm just kidding. Got to start somewhere. All
right, everyone. Have a fabulous day today. Bye
-bye. Thank you for listening. If you found this
information helpful, please share it with a friend.
If you're looking for more information on the
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mission and our journey to get started. Let's
make today and every day an opportunity to level
up. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep striving,
and keep making a difference.