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Gee Women 2 years ago

Talking Business With Celene Gee

I really love what I do.

I get to be creative in so many different ways, and with different mediums. No two days are the same which also helps me stay inspired. As a background for anyone new to Gee Beauty, I'm the Creative Director behind the company and Gee brand.
I oversee and define the creative vision of our brand, and work on the in-studio and digital shopping experiences, the products, and all creative content. I work closely with our incredible marketing + digital team on all of our initiatives, from social media to email marketing, advertising and content creation.

Today I'm sharing a few of my most valuable lessons I apply to business.

Creativity

I always think of the quote by Maya Angelou, who said, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."

This always inspires me to keep creating and thinking of ideas in my head. They could be big or small, like creating a new concept like when we started 6 By Gee Beauty, or when we formulate and launch a new makeup product, or even just the writing of a headline or subject line for an email. Creativity is like a muscle, so I try to always be using it.

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have” - Maya Angelou
Always Keep It Moving

Of course there are days or periods of time when I feel less creative. The trick for me is to always keep it moving and to not dwell on what makes you feel stuck. Do other things and move around. Tackle the project from a different angle, or even tackle another project. I find my ideas and solutions come to me when I least expect it.

Sometimes I'll write down words or small parts of ideas, and my mind will string them together when it feels open to it. Going for a long walk, cooking, doing a great workout, or listening to the perfect playlist — all of these things help set a creative vibe for me. 

Get Celene's Tips For Resetting

Viewing Business & Creativity As One

I love to see the metrics and data behind our creative work — what is resonating, what is successful, and explore and create more around that.

I love to hear what people are asking about whether it's the feedback, similarities and differences between online and in-studio shoppers, our customers' purchasing habits, trends, and in-demand products and brands. All of this is data and it helps inform and shape all of our content. I really put myself in our clients' shoes and think about their beauty needs, their lifestyle, their skin-types, what the products are that they never knew they needed. Because I'm more 'behind the scenes', my partners really help inform me of this and we're always talking and sharing. Business and creativity go hand in hand for me. 

Shop Celene's Wellness Faves

Take Your Time, & Don't Look Around

I've really learned that not everyone's timelines are the same and avoiding comparison is one of the keys to success. My mother has always said, "keep your eyes on your own plate" - meaning don't look at what someone else is doing, and don't compare. Growth is different for everyone and for every company or brand.

Even when learning a new skill-set or a new achievement, everything happens when it's time and if it hasn't happened for you yet then it's not time. Focus yourself on what is actually happening, and how you can move forward each day.

Lately I've become more organized with goal-setting, timelines, delivery dates and even my daily schedule and it really does keep me on track. I think about what I want us to achieve in the next 3-6 months and work back from how it needs to get done. 

Listen To Celene's Favorite Work Playlist

Lean Into Your Strengths

I'm very visual so I think in pictures and that's how I become inspired. Whereas others might hear music, talk through ideas or speak in numbers, I think it's important to recognize your strengths and play into them which creates success around them. I like to lay out my ideas in story or mood board formats to really bring a concept to life. I can tell very quickly when an idea or concept is working creatively or not. I have very quick instincts when it comes to that, but I need to see something first to get the ball rolling.

One of my biggest strengths is that I know when something feels "right" for Gee Beauty' or if it isn't a fit. Even if it takes time, I don't want to rush it. I have learned to work more efficiently, because everything just moves faster these days and I want to stay ahead. I think the saying goes "good is the enemy of done" or something like that so it's always a balance of making something the best it can be, while also staying timely, productive and moving forward.

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