The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I am passionate about being climate positive, making the right ethical and environmental choices and supporting the local economy. I am conscious bathing promotes high water usage which has its impacts on the environment so I want to make sure other aspects of my business meet ethical and and environmental standards in other ways.
When starting the business, I wanted it to use organic raw materials, to use local ingredients and suppliers where possible, and to have a low impact or closed loop system. I have found this all to be significantly more challenging than I envisioned. However, I have found support through local businesses, initiatives and knowledge from individuals along my journey, which has helped me meet some aims and develop pathways to meet others in the future. Ensuring a business is environmentally and ethically sound will always be a challenge. I am far from perfect but aiming to get there gives me my drive and I will continue to strive to do the best I can
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running a business – It’s all consuming and its success rides on you – this can be highly pressuring. Starting the business required a significant amount of personal investment and this can ride heavy sometimes, but it has also made me more aware of caring for myself mentally.
On top of this, there is so much learning. I am not business minded – I often make things up as I go along – nor am I a content writer. Keeping up with algorithms and requirements for social media is all a little beyond me and can often be the cause of feelings of frustration and loss.
On the positive side, running your own business creates so many opportunities for connections. I have met some amazing like-minded people who have supported me along my journey, helped my learning and provided insight and room for my ideas to grow. Without doing this, I would never have met them and I definitely feel my life is richer for it.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I would love to unite my passion for soap making with my bath milks to create a full range of oat based products which will gently cleanse and hydrate the skin, but this is some time away. It harks back to the Yin and Yang and ensuring the balance is struck between family and business, so for now I have no grand plans for the future.
I am content letting the business grow fairly organically. There is a pleasure in remaining a small business where I know many of my customers and remain touched by each and every positive story I receive.
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