Business Discussions

  A shared passion for tea is what got James Chang hooked on the business of building Shen Zen Tea. Later, when he moved the company to the Pacific Northwest, an ever-growing demand for organic and sustainably sourced products opened up a world of new possibilities for him to sell via local farmer's markets — and expand his product line, too.   James chatted with us recently about the tenacity required to be a small business owner when you're just starting out and what he's learned after living through good times and tough times while building his business.    Read on hear his story!   Name: James Chang   Business: Shen Zen Tea   Started: 2012   How did you create your awesome job?   I originally had a business partner, Neil Buckland, who started Shen Zen Tea back in Florida. It was a different business model back then, where he sold a variety of teas mostly through home events.    I got involved in the business bec

    Ever wondered where you could buy a stuffed toy in the shape of a mitochondria cell? Well, wonder no more!   Meet Shari Bodofsky , a biology student who creates unusual handmade plush toys to delight kids young and old. The young entrepreneur’s Etsy shop was born out of a childhood love of crafting, but the business turned into what it is today not long after Shari moved from molding clay figurines to sewing and stuffing her own creations.   We chatted with Shari about appealing to her inner child (and gathering loyal customers along the way!), juggling homework with starting a small business and the lessons she's learned about personal branding.                     Name: Shari Bodofsky Business: Fresh Crayons Started: 2012   Tell us a bit about how you started your business!   In middle and high school I did a ton of crafting. People especially responded to the clay figurines

  When Araya lost her job as an interior designer, she decided to turn her misfortune into an exciting future by starting her own business from scratch.   To save cash in the early days of testing out her business idea, Araya learned how to do everything herself — from coding her website to creating the products she wanted to sell — so we had to know more about what she's learned along the way and where she's hoping to grow in 2016.   Take it away, Araya!   Name: Araya Jensen Business: Wind and Willow Home Started: February 2012   Where did you get the idea for Wind and Willow Home?   I was a kitchen and bathroom designer for 12 years before I was laid off due to the housing market crash.    I spent the next two years trying to find another job in my field while I was on unemployment and struggling to take care of my family. I knew I needed to find another source of income, so I came up with an idea for curating and selling g

   Kim makes papier mâché mobiles unlike any you’ve seen before — when she’s not training her kids to be rockstars, that is.    She honed her unique style in art school before finding work at a gallery in New York, where she also played bass in a band. 15 years later, and after moving her family across the county to settle in LA, she's now running a small business out of her home and selling her one-of-a kind mobiles online and in boutiques across the country.   With an approach to life that’s as quirky as her designs, we just had to find out how Kim’s making it all work on her own terms.   Name: Kim Baise Business: Jikits Started: May 2007    How did you create your awesome job?   I was born in LA, but moved to New York to get my Master's degree in art. I lived there for 15 years, making a living by working in a gallery, running little art shows of my own and playing bass in a band. When my kids were born, my husband an

  Darcy Cruwys started Swap Mamas, a website connecting parents across the United States, after she lost her job in the 2008 market crash. Her aim was to lessen the financial expense of raising children by encouraging moms to exchange kids’ clothes. But what began as a passionate community has now blossomed into a fast-growing business that’s received recognition from prominent publications like The New York Times and Parenting Magazine.   With big changes on the way for Swap Mamas, we sat down with Darcy to talk about keeping the company sustainable, sticking to her guns and how she still sometimes feels like she's winging it.   Name: Darcy Cruwys   Business: Swap Mamas   Started: January 2009   How did you get started?   Swap Mamas started in January 2009. When my daughter was born, I had a really tight-knit circle of friends, all with baby girls, who were scattered across the country. Whenever an older child grew out

    When we heard how Kate had turned her biggest flaw — lateness — into a thriving business, we just had to know more.    Here she chats with us about the importance of customer feedback and (spoiler alert!) why she keeps her prices high, even in a competitive market like Etsy.       Name: Kate Kennedy     Business: Be There in Five     Started: February 2014       How did you create your awesome job?   It all started as a way to stop my apartment from burning down!    Every morning on the train, I’d start panicking that I’d left something on. To ease my own worries, I painted "turn off your curling iron" onto my doormat so I’d see every day as I left. It worked like a charm!   I noticed the doormat industry was dominated by dated designs focused on welcoming guests into your home, so I decided to turn it upside-down with messages for people leaving the house instead. I started ou

      When Sarah Clement created her freelance illustration business, she was eager to make more space in her life for illustration.    It worked. After she quit her part-time job and threw herself into her creating her company, she started booking some awesome commissions and amazing new clients.   We were lucky enough to catch up with Sarah recently about balancing art and business, the importance of morning routines and her biggest college regret.     Name: Sarah Clement   Business: Sarah Clement Illustrations   Started: January 2015     How did you create your awesome job?   I'm an artist and illustrator. I take on projects like special commissions for clients, album designs and t-shirts. I've done a children's book as well.    I decided to quit my part-time job and pursue illustration about a year ago. I felt like I needed more time to invest in my art and I was getting a little bored selling han

      After learning to marry her passion for art with her interest in materials, Lillian Farag embarked on founding her unique business, creating unique and colorful prints and accessories. After three years as a one-woman show, she’s curious to discover how to take the next steps to grow her business and expand her reach.   We caught up with Lillian to talk about why craft fairs are big business for her, the importance of having a mentor and how to keep every day fresh and full of inspiration.   Name: Lillian Farag Business: Lillian Farag Started: 2013   How did you create your awesome job?   In 2013 I was working at Macy’s, developing prints and patterns for one of its labels. I felt stagnant, like I wasn’t learning much. I was ready for the next challenge, so I decided to go freelance.    That decision opened the door for me to collaborate with other artists and make the leap into starting my own business making accessori

  Khristian A. Howell is at the top of her game. She's been featured on the Today Show as a design expert, was a guest judge on American Dream Builders with Nate Berkus *and* she's a contributing editor for Better Homes and Gardens.    Not too long ago, however, she was just starting out as an intern in her first fashion design job. We caught up with Khristian to find out what it takes to go from amateur to expert, and how she's learned to run a business according to her *own* rules.   Take it away, Khristian!   Name: Khristian A. Howell Business: Khristian A. Howell Color + Pattern Started: December 2008   How did you create your awesome job? My partner and I relocated to Seattle from Georgia in 2004 for his job. At the time I didn’t know what I’d do in the Pacific Northwest — I’m not a camper! But fortunately, I also don’t believe in the word "no."    I had a degree in advertising, but always wanted to be in fashi

  Earlier this year, we were thrilled to share with everyone here in OWN IT that the folks at Death Wish Coffee Company were our big winners in Small Business Big Game. After their winning commercial aired back in February during football's biggest game (you can watch it again here!), founder Mike Brown and his team braced themselves for their biggest year yet.   Six months later, we're checking in with Mike to find out how they learned to scale their team and increase production of their popular coffee brand in order to meet the demand.   We also chatted with Mike to find out how he's setting new goals for his business after reaching this incredible milestone and what's next for the team as they continue in their quest to dominate the market with the world's strongest brews.   Name: Mike Brown Business: Death Wish Coffee Company Started: 2011   It has officially been six months since Death Wish Coffee Company was

    Connor started his first business when he was 12, mowing lawns for his neighbors. But his passion for fashion drove him to eventually launch his own line of bow ties, bags and belts when he was only 16 years old.    His secret to success? Making great local connections. By sourcing with the finest Amish craftsmen from his hometown, Connor found a way to produce stunning leather goods he sells online — all in his spare time.       Name: Connor Dickson     Business: Connor Dickson Bow Ties, Bags and Leather Goods     Started: 2010       How did you create your awesome job?   I’ve always been entrepreneurial. I started my first business with a friend when I was just 12. We took flyers around the neighborhood to tell people that we’d do their mowing and mulching. At first, they thought we were just a couple of kids playing around, but we got a few jobs and did such good work that we got more

    Growing up, Laura loved the outdoors. So when it was time to start her own stationery and graphic design business, she etched her love of nature right into her business name — Bears Eat Berries.   Her business began with a request for a custom wedding invitation and a used letterpress four years ago. Now, Laura is running a stationary shop online *and* using her design skills to create custom, unique branding for a variety of small businesses and creative professionals.   We chatted with Laura about goal setting, how she figured out her pricing and what has *most* surprised her so far about life as a self-employed professional.     Name: Laura Wentzel   Business: Bears Eat Berries Design + Illustration   Started: November 2011     How did you create your awesome job?   Awhile back, I was working full-time as an in-house graphic designer, but I didn’t feel challenged creatively because I had t

   In her downtime as a stay-at-home mom, Kasie Chapman makes unique hand-stitched products for her growing tribe of Instagram and Etsy followers. Her experience selling at craft fairs and online has helped her develop her own personal style — and stay true to it.   We recently talked to Kasie about her experiences with opening an Etsy store and building a following of loyal customers who can’t get enough of her so-called “cozy goodness.” Plus, read on to learn more about what she's hoping to learn next from *you.*   Name: Kasie Chapman Business: The Minted Evergreen Started: October 2015   How did you create your awesome job? I sell hats, scarves and cowls. Back when I had my first child, I found myself making things for her during nap times. Having that kind of creative outlet helped me relax and do my own thing.    I started out knitting, but I wasn't crazy about it, so I taught myself how to crochet instead. People wanted to b

      Aleksandra Zee’s career is characterized by persistence. For years she juggled two jobs while establishing herself as an artist. Her determination has seen her succeed as one of only a handful of women working in the male-dominated woodwork industry.    Despite these challenges, she created a unique market position for herself with her handmade, geometric wooden wall hangings and found success thanks to a sizeable Instagram following and a loyal customer base.    We spoke to Aleksandra about finding the confidence to start a business, using social media as a positive influence and keeping her products unique.         Name: Aleksandra Zee    Business: Aleksandra Zee    Started: July 2014    How did you come to create your business?    I fell in love with woodworking back when I had my first job with the retail company Anthropologie. I was a display artist at one of their store

  After finding a job in her chosen field wasn't an option post-grad school, Emily decided to turn her long-time love of paper quilling into a viable business selling handmade products to her fans at local craft fairs and farmers' markets.    We sat down with the creative entrepreneur to talk about her interest in crafting, her tips for balancing a hectic schedule and how she manages to get a return on investment out of selling such a specialized art form.     Name: Emily Mallory Business: Emily’s Paper Crafts Started: August 2011     How did you create your awesome job? I’m a paper quilling artist. I make small animals, greeting cards, artwork, frames, magnets and modular origami bouquets based on my own designs. I also teach a number of workshops around the area where I live.   I started quilling for fun when I was a kid. After getting my PhD in Early Childhood Education, I couldn't find a relevant job. But, after moving to

      Trained in the art of perfumery, Blev Lavoux found her years working for large cosmetics companies ultimately unfulfilling. Despite their high cost, she believes that the toxic chemicals used in most scented products are not only harmful to people, but also to the planet.    With that in mind, Blev decided to create her own high-end brand to show the industry that luxury can be combined with sustainability and ethical principles. Although still a relatively young business, Call of the Vialed has attracted the attention of influencers and customers alike — even growing into a successful wholesale enterprise.   We spoke to Blev about why she loves connecting with her customers on a personal level, the power of social media promotion and how she created a routine that helps her avoid burnout.         Name: Blev Lavoux   Business: Call of the Vialed   Started: Spring 2016    What inspired you to create your busine

  Moving to a new city gave Gopi Shah the chance to turn her love for ceramics into a new business venture. Her eagerness to hone her craft led her to a mentor, a friend and a supportive community of makers.    We caught up with Gopi to learn why she decided to strike out on her own, and the lessons she had to learn the hard way about how to best display her products at craft events.     Name: Gopi Shah  Business: Gopi Shah Ceramics  Started: September 2014    How did you create your awesome job?    I was living in Los Angeles when my partner got relocated to Austin for a new job. I had been taking a ceramics class on the side in LA and really enjoyed it. I was working for the Natural Resources Defense Council at the time and toyed with the idea of starting my own business, but it wasn't until we moved to Austin that I really had the opportunity to start fresh. As the cost of living was much cheaper in T

   New kid on the block Valerie Evans found a niche on Instagram for her vintage-inspired embroidered art and jewelry. The former Disneyland tour guide took her quirky products online under the name Plaid Love Threads in 2015, and soon started converting likes into customers.   Valerie took time out from her new business to talk to us about the nitty gritty of marketing online, the support she gets from the maker community and how she managed to sell half her inventory at her first ever craft fair. Name: Valerie Evans Business: Plaid Love Threads Started: May 2015   How did you create your awesome job? I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and focus on raising my kids, but before they came along I spent many years working for Disneyland as a tour guide — you know, the ones with the plaid skirts and the riding crops! It was a great experience, but when my husband and I had children, I wanted to spend as much time with them as possible.   I

  Getting ads in front of the right people can seem like a real challenge, but the powerful marketing tools available to small business owners is impressive — if you know where to start.   Connor Smith is an experienced marketing consultant with insight into how to get the biggest bang for your buck using Facebook Ads. We recently chatted with him about his own experiences helping clients leverage Facebook's paid services for their own companies, and what the most important things to keep in mind are when aligning your marketing strategies with your business goals.   Name: Connor Smith   Business: Science Growth Labs, part of Science Inc.   Started: 2013   What services do you offer your clients?   I work closely with small businesses and startups to help them manage their paid ads on Facebook. What I do is heavily focused on performance marketing in the world of social media — essentially, advertising with very mea

  Pricing, online businesses, social media, oh my!   We covered a lot with Adam Williams – former small business owner of Provo Swim Academy and helpful husband to Erina who is also starting her own business – in our chat.  Here are my favorite takeaways.   1. Have the confidence and courage to fairly pay yourself.   Adam raised his prices three times and didn't lose any customers. "People will pay you what YOU think you're worth." Name it! Have you ever raised your prices? Tell us about your experience below.   2. Focus on the experience you provide your customers.   To justify your premium price, focus on the experience you provide your customers. Even in a commoditized business, find a value added service that will separate you from the crowd.   3. Develop social media goals.   When considering which social media channels you want to focus on, "be clear about what you want to achieve and

  Based in British Columbia, Jessica Quinn taught herself how to screen print and sell the type of kids apparel she wanted her daughter to wear. She set herself up with a solid business plan and did all her research before opening shop, but her best resource just might be the maker community she found herself welcomed in to.   We chatted with Jessica about learning how to price her adorable apparel items for all ages and why she's hoping to learn *your* secrets for balancing work, life, a baby and everything in between!   Name: Jessica Quinn Business: Live Love North Started: 2015   How did you create your awesome job? It really began quite organically. When my daughter was about 6 months old (she's now 14 months), we were out camping and I remember thinking how beautiful the trees and lake were, and wondering to myself, "How can I capture this moment?"   I took to sketching out some of my ideas, and then somewhere along the way it occurred to m

  The cat (or coffee) is out of the bag!   Death Wish Coffee Company — maker of the world's strongest coffee — is the winner of Small Business Big Game and the Big Game commercial.   After months of voting, lots of nail biting and just a *few* caffeine-fueled nights, Death Wish Coffee will have its shot at the "big leagues" of television: a 30-second spot during football's biggest game.   How'd they manage it?    A mix of great marketing, a unique product and some pretty killer fans.  Here's how you can amp up your business, Death Wish style.       1. Get the word out to everyone (yes, everyone!) you know.    Death Wish didn't stop at their fans and Twitter followers — they contacted everyone that they knew, whether friend or acquaintance, and asked for a vote here and a vote there.    The big lesson here? If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it — even in far-reaching places.

      Engineers Simon Curran and Tom Walters were looking for ideas to start their own company when inspiration struck from an unlikely source: their ultimate frisbee team.    Challenged to brighten up night-time games with high-visibility gear, the pair came up with a unique design — and set up a company, Noxgear, to sell their product. As they began developing their venture, they found a potential new market by marketing their products as safety wear.    We spoke to Simon and Tom about how they discovered a new audience for their product and the challenges they faced when scaling up the business.  Name: Simon Curran and Tom Walters   Business: Noxgear   Started: 2013   How did you go about creating your awesome job?   Simon: Tom and I had successful jobs working together at an aerospace firm in Buffalo, New York, and the company gave us a lot of freedom. We were doing well and making products faster than is typical in

  Karen Sheley moved to Portland, Oregon to learn the business of beer. While working at an established brewery in the city, she met her future husband, Joel, who shared her vision of launching a family-friendly, community-oriented brewpub. Now, two years into running their own operation, the Sheleys are looking to expand from a small production brewery with a pop-up bar to the retail space of their dreams.   We talked to Karen about pairing bikes and beer, the challenges of running a family business and the small steps they're taking today that will help them expand their business in the future.     Name: Karen Sheley Business: Gateway Brewing in Portland, OR Started: 2015   How did you turn your interest in brewing into a full-fledged business?   I moved to Portland in 2003 to get into the beer scene, and joined Widmer Brothers Brewing on the supply chain side of things. While there, I met my husband and current business partner. We

   When a palm reader predicted Tawnia Knittle-White would own her own business someday, she brushed it off as nonsense. After all, she was in love with her steady job at Coors Brewing Company. But then she got engaged, kept coming up dry when she was looking for the perfect wedding trimmings. So, she decided to make her own.   The next thing she knew, she was selling her unique wedding favors and accessories on Etsy full-time — and wondering what else that fortune teller might have gotten right!   We caught up with Tawnia to talk about knowing when to quit your full-time job and the hiring tips she's hoping to learn from *you.*   Name: Tawnia Knittle-White Business: Everlong Events Started: May 2014   What inspired you to create your Etsy shop? I have a long, crazy background of having not-so-great jobs. But then I got hired as a quality assurer at Coors Brewing Company — an amazing position I thought I w