Single Mom Start-Up: How To Grow + Bootstrap Your Small Business When You’re Not Yet Profitable
Mar 09, 2020
You know we love bringing you the wisdom of successful entrepreneurs who have - so to speak - already made it, but we also think there is so much value in learning from entrepreneurs who are actively working in the trenches to build their business. I recently got to chat with my sweet friend, Lauren Strain, a 29 year old single mom and founder of newly launched company, “Pollumination", a collection of eco-chic candles + ceramics.
Lauren actually created a few custom tumblers for me before, and besides the fact that her products and packaging are so beautifully made, she also has a huge heart for giving back. A portion of all her proceeds goes to the Pollinator Partnership in San Francisco, California to support bee conservation.
Lauren shares with us the hardest parts of transitioning from a service based business as a photographer to now a products based business, why she chose to make giving back a key element of her business model from the beginning, and how to keep growing + investing back into your business, even when you’re self-funding everything and not turning a profit yet.
P.S. Lauren wants to share the love with you all! Get 20% off your order of $75 or more with code “ELLEN” at checkout: pollumination.com
Favorite Takeaways From This Episode
- If you can find a niche where people are interested, you can capitalize on that for a products-based business.
- It’s not about making money, it’s about creating connection & community around an interest that already exists.
- It’s easier to borrow influence than create it.
- Do some research as to what will help you cover the costs for materials up front and help you make a profit.
- Invest your money BACK into your business.
- Part of being an entrepreneur is taking time to see your business grow and being willing to invest in the process.
- In most products-based businesses, it takes time before you make a profit.
- Don’t be afraid to pay yourself if you have the means. Profit is not a bad thing, and while you have to make sacrifices for your dreams, you still should not be afraid to pay yourself.
- Connecting with a community is huge to seeing success in your business.
- For a products-based business, connecting in person rather than online is a great way to build genuine connection and see success.
- Connecting a personality to the social media profile gives you a one up in your business.
- You never know what kind of connections you can utilize from different places.
- Don’t be afraid to take advantage of social media, showing your products in other locations to create connection with locals.
- Don’t be afraid to rock the side hustle. If you have to, there’s no shame in building as much as you can on the side so that you can still support yourself.
- Creating your own schedule & pursuing your dreams based on what works for you over what works for others.
Connect With Lauren:
1. www.pollumination.com
2. fb.me/pollumination
3. Instagram: @pollumination
What Did You Think?
What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Leave a comment below.
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