Fresh off the U.S. women’s soccer team winning the World Cup, we couldn’t imagine a more fitting brand to introduce you to than Aviate Press. Infused with heavy doses of girl power and positivity, Ava is creating a living doing what she loves! Take it away Ava…
Ava Puckett of Aviate Press
LBC: What inspired you to take the leap as an entrepreneur?
Ava: I wasn’t happy with my work/life balance when I finally took the leap. I was working full time at a merch company and trying to run a business, so I felt like my quality of life wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I wanted to work full time on something that I was truly passionate about.
LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Ava: I create paper goods and lifestyle products that are all about girl power and positivity. I try to make things that are relatable, fun, and can make you LOL.
LBC: Where can we find your products?
Ava: I sell my products online via Etsy and my website. My products are also in stores across North America and I attend several craft markets in the southeast every year.
LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Ava: I wanted it to be defined by the message of supporting women, spreading positivity, and connecting people.
LBC: Walk us through a typical workday.
Ava: I wake up around 5:45/6, meditate, have coffee, look through emails and plan out my day. I typically fill orders every morning, work on client work, and do outreach to shops I’d like to work with. I love spending time in coffee shops or at my shared studio space.
LBC: What are 3 things entrepreneurs should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Ava: The message behind their business, what makes their ideas/products unique, and the stuff that’s not so fun, like taxes and business documents you’ll need.
LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Ava: Taking a break – going on a walk or meditating is usually the way to go.
LBC: Tell us about the best business decision you’ve made to date.
Ava: Probably investing in an accountant who is helping me with sales tax, margins, and all the stuff that I was ignoring for far too long!
LBC: Please share one misstep or obstacle from your business experience. How did you bounce back or overcome it?
Ava: I let my domain name lapse and had a few days in full freak-out mode trying to figure out what to do. Luckily my domain wasn’t stolen, but it was very stressful to not have a working website or email address for a few days. I talked it out with a few different people and made a plan for how to avoid it in the future – put more reminders in my phone!
LBC: What are 3 essential resources in your business toolbox that you can’t do without?
Ava: My iPad Pro, Quickbooks, and my Apple Calendar + Reminders!
LBC: Imagine that we had a time machine. If we blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Ava: I would have my own studio outside of my house with 1-2 employees, I would attend shows like the New York Stationery Show, and I would be promoting my future illustrated book about dealing with anxiety. Sounds pretty awesome!
LBC: Share one of your guiltiest pleasures.
Ava: The Bachelor! Just started watching and it’s so terribly good.
LBC: If you could hire someone to do just one thing that you loathe doing, what would it be?
Ava: Inventory management and order filling!
LBC: Your musical playlist is full of…
Ava: James Blake, Jose Gonzales, and Beyonce.
Thank you, Ava, for sharing your talent with us! We absolutely love what you’re doing with Aviate Press, and we look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for you and your company. We’re cheering you on!
