Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stacy Smolenski, owner, and founder of by S T A C Y, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our mission is to raise the standard for sustainable accessories. We first launched our business with handmade scrunchies using a spiral hair tie rather than a traditional elastic band. We did this to eliminate hair creases & avoid breakage.
Our scrunchies were selling well, so we decided it was time to expand our product line to include gua sha stones. After realizing how cruel the gemstone industry could be, we made it our mission only to support ethically suppliers & responsible manufacturers. A transparent supply chain became part of our brand story in order to encourage customers to shop ethically & locally across all industries. We have proudly donated to several charities with the help of our incredible customers & partnered with Plastic Bank to remove 50 plastic bottles from the ocean for every gua sha stone purchased.
We are always looking for ways to become more sustainable. Our brand is focused on 'essentials,' meaning our products will serve a useful purpose and/or positively impact our customer's life in some way, to avoid excess consumerism.
Tell us about yourself
This journey all began with an Etsy shop while I pursued full-time studies to become an acupuncturist. Thankfully, very early on in my journey, I was able to connect with some incredible entrepreneurs who encouraged us to start scaling & building a brand. Once this idea had been planted, we never looked back. What was meant to be a hobby during school became so much more & we are so grateful to have come across mentors who have helped us along the way. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur but had no idea where to begin. This felt like a divine opportunity.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment so far is partnering with 60 retail locations in the first year of business through self-distribution. Each store that stocks our products has made our entrepreneurial dream possible. We are so grateful to each of our amazing partners who have given us such incredible opportunities.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things being a business owner is the sheer volume of work to be done. There is ALWAYS something to do in the business & ensuring tasks are prioritized is key. I write down five critical tasks I must do each day to move the needle in the right direction. Once those five critical tasks are done, I can work on things that are still important but less of a priority.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make 'value adding' your top priority. Of course, you need to be profitable in your business, but having a mission to add genuine value to people's lives is what will stand the test of time. We always try to deliver more value than what the customer pays for. This creates a loyal clientele, positive word of mouth & lasting relationships.
- Delay your gratification- Being a start-up requires a lot of time, energy & money. You will be put in a lot of uncomfortable situations which require temporary sacrifices. Even though it feels hard at the time, these are often the most precious moments & lessons in business. Learning to manage your energy during the ups & downs is a massive investment into your business & your personal development.
- Stay accountable- Putting yourself in the shoes of your customers is an incredible way to lead your business. Don't like receiving tons of marketing emails? Don't send them. Don't like poor customer service? Don't give it. Hold yourself to the same stand you would expect to receive & you will be surprised how this will positively impact your business.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We would love to offer $5 off your first order using the code GOSOLO.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://bystacy.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_stacy_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-smolenski-bba-0b0131204/
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.