Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Catherine Grimes, co-founder of AllayBox, located in Merion Station, PA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

AllayBox is an online marketplace and subscription box dedicated to elevating wellness through carefully curated and vetted plant-based products. We give back to our community by supporting causes such as the Last Prisoner Project, Project Home, and other impactful social non-profits.

Tell us about yourself

My cousin introduced me to CBD. I was having a great deal of knee pain and was using Alleve to help manage the discomfort. I was taking two Alleve a day. My cousin suggested that I try CBD ...which was completely new to me. I tried a CBD edible, and I could not believe the pain relief, I did a lot of research to learn more about how CBD works, and I was shocked that the positive effects of CBD were not widely communicated. I became an evangelist. And when I retired from my corporate career, I jumped right into creating a place where people can easily find and purchase high-quality CBD products and have them delivered directly to their door.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is building trusting relationships with our community, our vendors, and partners in our business.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The work is 24/7. I am always on. I am thinking about products, price, quality, innovation, packaging, growth, and all things that I believe our AllayBox community cares about. I am curious by nature, so I see opportunities everywhere.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Do a lot of research about your business segment and target audience.
  2. Branding is important. You are fighting for 'attention' and relevance. You need to stand out.
  3. There are no 'quick' solutions. Be thoughtful, be curious, and get good advice.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am passionate about helping people feel better and live better. I offer concierge service at AllayBox so that I can personally explore your problems and questions with you. We stand behind every product. If you don't love it, it's on us.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://allaybox.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaybox/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaybox/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allaybox/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.