Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey by launching a business but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sam Levinson, of Dom based in Toronto, Canada.
What's your business and who are your customers?
Dom is an organic sanitary lifestyle brand that develops design-forward sanitizing products for today’s conscious consumers.
Tell us about yourself
My life prior to Dom is quite left in comparison.
I studied and wore the hat of high school English teacher and then went on to spend 4 years as a recruiter in Toronto. I have always loved learning about the inherent driving forces and needs of each person I interact with while determining what the gaps are and how I can help solving them.
So, when my partner and husband Adam shared with me that he wanted to jump into the sanitizer world, I needed to understand the why.
COVID-19 took over our everyday conversation and it was evident that people needed sanitizer. Did we want to join the bandwagon of making sanitizers in our bathtub that reeked of alcohol, left residue on your hands and dried them out? Or did we want to do something different? And if so, why?
We want people to use sanitizers - every day. We want sanitizers to be part of your daily skincare routine. So how do we make it something that you want to use everyday?
That is what pulled me out of recruitment into Dom. I understand the why and feel passionate about the why. I’m motivated by what we can do with Dom. We are creating products for YOU. Products that are 100% organic, locally created and aesthetically pleasing. You spend money on the lifestyle you live and the products you use should live up to the standard you deserve.
Let’s bring everyday products out of hiding and have them complement or add to your lifestyle.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We launched sales in April 2021, and now, 6 months later, I can proudly say we are in stores across Canada including some major dream retailers and partners like the Drake Hotel and Whole Foods Market.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Choose one? Haha! That's tough. Being a business owner is tough - mentally, emotionally, financially... it is tough. But it is also exhilarating, stimulating and fulfilling.
We were and are still a small fish in quite a big pond, so finding the right partners and being taken seriously is definitely a struggle. Patience is key because finding the right partners to help grow a business is essential to your success.
What are some tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do research. Understand your why.
Find the right partners to help you make that happen.
If you love your business and feel passionate about what you want to put out in the world, it will be easy to lean into the skills you have and hard to release the responsibilities of the skills you lack, which is why finding partners you trust is so important.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Dom is organic, medical-grade, hypoallergenic, locally-created, cruelty free, vegan and completely free of the bad stuff (silicon, phthalate, paraben and sulfate).
All of our packaging is created using post-consumer recycled material. Most importantly, they actually smell and feel really really good. We are part of the Carbon Neutral Club and donate a portion of our sales to One Tree Planted.
We will be launching new products in the new year and we can't wait to share them with you!
Where can people find you and your business?
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.