WORLD ACCORDING TO JESS is more than just her line's brand name — it is also her personal philosophy. Jessica Alpert-Goldman has built a successful accessory line that has been hailed by stars and the media alike. With her entrepreneurial spirit and funky flair for fashion, Kotex® selected Alpert-Goldman as a woman to watch. Even as a precocious eight-year-old, this handbag guru had big dreams of owning her own business and taking on New York City by storm. Without any connections in the fashion industry and determined to make it on her own, Alpert-Goldman paid her dues by working fourteen different jobs after graduation until finally making her dream a reality in August of 2001. This one-of-a-kind accessory designer can now count Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Aguilera and Beyonce Knowles as proud owners of her fashion-forward and function-friendly bags.

A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur ... How I Do It
As chief executive officer, chief financial officer, head designer, production and operations manager, publicist, sales force and marketing department of World According to Jess, my plate is more than full!

Organization is key to the success of my busy small business. No matter what comes my way, I apply a system to conquer my to-do-list items. Here is how I successfully break up my day:

I. Early Morning
I start work around 7:30 a.m. This gives me a head start on the business world, which usually gets going at 9 a.m. Early morning is the perfect time to answer e-mails, work with my overseas factories, answer production questions and determine what I must accomplish throughout the day. I follow a lot of to-do lists but also remind myself I am not Super Woman. It’s important to accept some tasks will take more than a day to accomplish. Still, nothing is more gratifying than checking an item off the to-do list!

II. Let the Work Day Begin!
By 10 a.m., the business world is alive at its desks. I find it easiest to reach the people I need for my business — boutique owners and media, for example — before lunch. This also serves as a great time for multitasking. For instance, filling dead time on the phone with a simple project becomes an easy way to multitask. While I’m on hold with someone, I might be e-mailing or putting together press packets.

III. After Lunch
I typically schedule afternoon appointments to meet editors or show my line of bags. On a typical day, I like to see at least two to three editors or visit boutiques. While it’s impossible to leave the office during big deadline days, it’s still vital whenever possible to meet magazine editors and television show producers to show them my designs and educate them about World According to Jess. At these meetings, I make sure I know a lot about the particular outlet I’m visiting. For instance, if I am pitching Oprah, I research her program, its guests and viewers. This intelligence helps me tailor my “pitch” to deliver what the show’s producers and audience seek.

IV. Night Time
By the close of business, I am always ready to unwind. But one last step remains ... networking! Creating and maintaining relationships with friends, fellow fashion designers and the media helps my business — and my professional development.

While reporters’ and editors’ interest in my designs benefits World According to Jess, my contacts in the fashion world may help the journalists as well. This builds relationships, which benefit my business. I also leave time to meet with friends and fellow designers. In any industry, it’s always useful to find peers with whom you can share experiences, find answers to your questions and even offer your own counsel. Support is key and, at the end of the day, a little encouragement is always nice!

Bottom line: For me, organization is everything. Here are a couple suggestions that may help you:

• Examine what you must accomplish and set a scheduled, realistic timeline to finish tasks.
• Always ask questions of the people with whom you’re working to ensure you have all the information you need to proceed — including due dates.

Watch out Super Woman .... you’ve got competition!