The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
There are always so many challenges in small business and for me, money and time is the biggest hurdle. As a sole operator, I need to work both IN my business and ON my business. I am the maker, the accountant, the social media manager, the secretary, the tea lady, amongst all those other requirements. Making is a large part of what I do IN the business and what many people don’t realise is the time it takes to make products. For example, it takes 6 weeks to infuse oil with botanicals so I can make my gentle nipple balm for new mums. It takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months (yes, that says months!) to cure handmade soap, depending on the type of soap it is. I have regular wholesale orders of 100+ shower steamers, because these little beauties are the biggest selling product I have! I have to be so very organised with my making schedule, so I still have time to work ON my business and set time aside for myself. All this, while trying to find that elusive profitability. This, I am yet to crack! And balancing that bank account is my single, greatest challenge.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
There are many pros to running your own business:
I don’t answer to anyone but myself – great if you are a self-motivator, terrible if you can procrastinate for days! Fortunately, I am the first one!
Flexibility to move your schedule as needed to accommodate anything….i.e. long weekends camping, lunch dates with friends etc. I generally work a 9-5 weekly schedule but I am happy knowing I can shift this if needed. I just don’t make a habit of it. It’s an exception rather than the norm.
Choosing your tribe! I hand pick my mentors and associates to ensure I am working with people (women mostly) who have my back and can help me with my business.
Collabs – I get to choose and work with other amazing small businesses to showcase my products.
In terms of cons, having to be the “everything” working IN and ON my business can be all consuming.
Waiting for the money to come is also difficult and surviving on minimum income, so you can invest back into your business constantly for it to survive those first few fragile years. I look forward to the day I can look back on these first years of growth and know I made it.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
When I wrote my business plan, my vision is stated as:
“Kri:ei’tiviti’s aim is to become the premier advocate for, maker and teacher of non-toxic, high quality and affordable soap, bath and body products in Australia within 10 years of commencement of operations”.
This is etched in my mind every day I work in my shed and work on my business. I am one year into my 10-year plan and I am ticking off those boxes every day.
Visit the Kri:ei’tiviti website to find out more and to view their beautiful range of products. You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
