BORN AT DAWN FOCUS: ERNA LEON

April 14, 2017

BORN AT DAWN FOCUS: ERNA LEON

This week our #BORNATDAWNFOCUS is on Erna Leon, Founder of MERCER7, a curated womenswear website for effortless style and a collaborative fashion platform.

We chatted to her about her life…

Describe yourself in 3 words. 

Sincere. Dedicated. Creative.

What makes you happy?

Having a house full of friends, I love hosting parties. Also my family, my children: Luca 4, Lily 2 and my work.  I’m in my element when I’m being creative and it’s definitely a happy place for me.

Who and what inspires you?

People achieving their dreams. I think it is so inspiring to see people doing what they love and the success that follows – anything is possible when you put your mind to it. 

How do you personally define success?

To me, success is being able to do what I love, being respected in my industry by my peers and working flexibly around my family's schedule. That's why I launched MERCER7, so I could try and find a work/life balance (which currently is a bit of a struggle but we will get there :)

You are obviously very busy, how do you cope and manage to juggle it all?

To be totally honest, I don't manage it all just yet.  Having just launched last month everything has been crazy and I often find myself working at my computer at 4am when I need to be up early with the kids the next day.  It’s definitely one of my goals to get this under control, but I’m also realistic and recognise there will be times where the balance is more skewed towards work. 

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Take one step at a time, focus on what you are doing, work hard and be kind to people. 

What’s been your biggest lesson?

I think that the biggest life lesson would be that you never know what's around the corner. Life is so unpredictable and that's the beauty of it. Don't overthink stuff. Work wise, although currently working 24/7, being my own boss gave me freedom on a different level. There is always fear associated with doing something new, but it is so important to just go for it and not have any regrets.  Even if something fails, at least you gave it your best.  All experiences, both good and bad, help us grow and brings out skills we never knew we had.

Photo credit: Simon Wisbey




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