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As usual, I’m answering your questions every week. Feel free to contact me any time through e-mail at meg@princesslasertron.com, twitter @lasertron (which is easiest for me), or by leaving a comment here!

Q: Your college studies are mostly unrelated to your creative endeavors, and yet you seem to have so much know how about running a small business - in the past few months you’re full of buzz words and great advice. Where is all of this coming from? And where can I get a taste? (From Amanda)

A: Although I might appear to have traveled down a less conventional path to get to where I am, I look at my personality and see that this is pretty natural for me. I’m impulsive, entrepreneurial, creative, and I tend to have an alpha-type personality. From the time I was in high school, I never saw myself being happy in a corporate job or sitting behind a desk, so I never prepared for that kind of life. I applied for all of the college scholarships I could, chose the school that gave me the most money, and studied what was most fun for me–German and Intercultural Communication–because I had amazing relationships with the professors, the programs offered me outstanding leadership opportunities, and I was able to travel quite a bit. All the while, I planned to work in an artistic field and a few years before graduation, I already had a double life as a student/businesswoman.

Where did I pick it up? A few classes, the influence of my parents who also own a business, books. Experience. I absorbed a lot of information from my peers in local business. I attend as many conferences and workshops as I can. I think that as artists, at some point in our career when we get the first “big break”–a $5000 order, or a huge wholesale deal, or a big writeup in a magazine–we have to snap into Professional Mode and learn pretty quickly. It was then that I made lots of mistakes and did things “the hard way.” Then I did better next time.

Q: What’s your favorite craft related product to work with right now? (From Brittney)
A: Tools are most important. I love my Crop-a-dile, pinking shears, and Gingher rotary cutter and cutting mat. I also go through a lot of Band-Aids. Some of my favorite things that I work with every day that are a little more fun include…

…vintage lace

…pom pom makers

…the subsequent piles of pom poms (I use them to pack boxes for shipping!)

…Heidi Swapp tapes (also great for shipping)

…and vintage jewelry, which I always use in the centers of flowers. I also have a few brides who have ordered belts or sashes to go on their dresses that match their bouquets, so the vintage buckles are so perfect for that.

Q: Can you tell me about your sewing machine? I adore it! (From Samantha)
A: It’s a pink Kenmore Mini Ultra machine, and I believe they are sold at Sears. It does the job.

Q: What was the biggest risk you took when starting out with your business? (From Smmawson)
A: Quitting my job. I remember waking up the next day like “what the hell did I just do?” The other huge risk was the first advertorial I bought which was on Offbeat Bride (and they have been great to me!). I spent all of our rent money on it, and I was racking my brain thinking about how I was going to ask my parents for money. But almost immediately, I was inundated with orders, and I had my first profitable month.

Q: Do you put a lot of thought into what you wear or do you just throw stuff on? (From Jenny)
A: I used to put a ton of thought into it, but now I only own clothes that I love, and I don’t even have to think about it. That’s what Tim Gunn says–edit your wardrobe, don’t buy anything that doesn’t stir your heart, and you will wake up every morning excited to get dressed. It’s easy to be inspired when you have five remarkable pieces instead of twenty boring pieces. Pick those five things and get rid of the rest.

I also keep all of my clothes clean and pressed on a rack that Dave is not allowed to share or drape anything over.

Q: What are your top 3 restaurants in Omaha so I have some new spots to stop when I am in Omaha. (From Rachel)
A: Well, I am a picky eater and my husband is vegan, so my favorite restaurants in Omaha are probably not generally agreed-upon as the best local cuisine. With that said, my favorite place right now is Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob at 50th & Underwood, The 1020 which is right around the corner, and….those are the only restaurants I like. But keep in mind that I do not go out to eat much and I generally don’t enjoy eating out.