Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tayler Jones, Founder of Beauty of Detroit Box, located in Detroit, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Beauty of Detroit Box helps superwomen slow down and enjoy more moments to recharge and reconnect with their best self through thoughtfully and locally sourced curated gift boxes and seasonal subscriptions featuring products from small businesses in metro Detroit, majority women-owned.
We enjoy being a thoughtful way to celebrate inner beauty, reclaim your me-time and discover unique and useful quality self-care goods. Ultimately, we are transforming the way we view self-care and making it more accessible. It is truly a joy to show our customers that they are more than everything to everyone else and that they deserve to be good to themselves too.
Our customers want to be more than a strong friend, celebrate a friend's promotion/graduation/birthday/breakup/housewarming, remind her of home, connect during a tough time and show up in a meaningful way when they can't always physically be there. They are excited to try something new and support small businesses.
Tell us about yourself
My love language has always been gift-giving from a very young age and growing up, I would always accompany my mama on her shopping adventures, truly giving me an eye for unique and beautiful goods that connect people. She also made a lot of friends wherever store we went to, striking up meaningful conversations with major impact, helping people just feel good about themselves and what they were getting, or providing expertise as to what they should get instead.
After graduating with my Master's during the pandemic, I struggled and tried to grasp what I thought could sustain me, putting success over self-care or even purpose over moments of preservation. Realizing that I did not need to earn rest was a game changer. So often, we are all hustle and grit without acknowledging that we are actually more productive when we practice self-care and have increased self-esteem and happier relationships. Being intentional about adding more self-care moments throughout my busy workday was my saving grace, and I came to understand that it could be that for other people, too, if they could just tap into it when they needed it.
This is why we offer self-care without the guilt but a variety of useful self-care items beautifully packaged and delivered to your door that will make you want to take more moments for yourself. Plus, the majority of the items include natural ingredients and are locally sourced, supporting small businesses. I am motivated by the encouraging messages and feedback I get after a customer receives a box or after I share content that speaks to them or a small business getting recurring customers. I love sparking curiosity and helping make a difference in their lives. Seeing the way they light up over finding the perfect gift or viewing themselves and their time differently makes it worth it. I am motivated by connection.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Although we have been featured on the radio, in a few publications, and at top vendor events, our greatest accomplishment is the interactions between our incredible customers and the amazing small businesses that we highlight in each box! We absolutely love their excitement, their trust, and support. I've actually received gifts from them!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing my time effectively. As a small business owner, you wear all the hats, make the decisions and get it done, which can get overwhelming and time-consuming. With all the curating and planning, it truly is so rewarding to see it through from start/concept to completion. I am learning more to embrace change, how to assess and measure, anticipate my customers' needs and maintain a healthy work-life balance. I am all about on-the-job training, as also a teacher and theatre artist.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have an abundance mindset - some people don't even begin their business because they think it's all been done before. It all starts with you and addressing those limiting beliefs.
- Tap into your "It" factor - don't be afraid to share your voice. You are unique, and so is your business. Share how you see the world differently, follow your instincts, you have the vision and the freedom to make your business what is needed. Also, a word about instant gratification - it rarely exists or is very fleeting, meaning that your business has its own timeline, don't compare your day 1 to their year five in business.
- Open your awareness - write it down/keep track of your ideas/plan. Find resources to support you on this journey. Explore what is or isn't working. What are your competitors doing? What can you do differently?
Longevity and legacy are so important to me. Secure your present and future by being clear about what's important to you personally. Rally up a community of supporters (family, friends, etc.) that will encourage you and hold you accountable. Running a business is a labor of love, but this is also your reminder to enjoy it, this is your offering to the world!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mybeautyofdetroitbox.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeautyofDetroitBox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybeautyofdetroitbox/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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