Elborne founder Ashley Suttle has unique experience having worked in both fashion as a designer and later in tech consulting for IBM. She was able to couple the skills she acquired from each career to start Elborne, an online marketplace bringing modern, sustainable clothing options to women who love fashion so they never have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Because Elborne has been generating buzz in the eco-friendly/sustainable fashion space, I asked Ashley to share her Five Rules For Life. Here they are, in her words.

1)    Buy less, choose well 

This is our philosophy at elborne, and it’s something I live by. It’s better to buy one investment piece you will cherish forever, rather than a bunch of items that are trendy or disposable.  Only buy pieces you absolutely love and your house and closet will be full of things that make you feel happy and inspired.

2)    Never be the first person at the table to take out your phone

 Especially at dinner! During most week-day lunch situations it’s appropriate to have your phone on the table because of work, but don’t be the friend or co-worker who is more interested in what’s happening on your phone rather than who/what is in front of you. If you committed to meeting someone, be fully present. 

3)    Make your mark

If you’re going to spend your precious time and energy doing something, do it so well you make a mark. Put thought and intention into everything you do. Never half-ass anything.

4)    Do you

You are put on this earth because you are interesting and have incredible things to contribute so don’t follow the crowd. If you live your life trying to please other people, you’ll sacrifice your own happiness. Do what makes you feel like the best version of yourself and never worry about what others are thinking or doing. 

5)    Never complain, never explain

Okay, this is actually a Kate Moss quote, but it is so relevant, especially for people who have a tendency to over-share (like myself). Complaining may be fun for some, but it’s not productive, and there are much better conversations to be had. The same goes for explaining — it’s totally unnecessary to explain yourself in most cases and you shouldn’t have to. Flip the script by changing the tone of the conversation and start talking about all of your awesome ideas instead.

Thanks, Ashley! Stay tuned for more Five Rules installments.

 “Five Rules,” is a series on Rouge18 in which I ask others to share their five rules for life about anything and everything. You can learn a lot about a person by reading which five things govern their actions, no?