Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Thomas White, owner, and CEO of Exact Nature Botanicals, located in Wells, ME, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Exact Nature is an online business based in Maine founded by a father and son, both of whom are in addiction recovery. Our singular mission is to provide CBD-based, proprietarily formulated products to help people reduce their use of drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances. There are more than 20 million active addicts/alcoholics in the U.S., and, consequently, few of us have not been directly affected by addiction.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve spent my career to date in senior-level marketing positions at the corporate, federal, and university levels. Before moving back to Maine two years ago, I lived in Reno. My next-door neighbors there were the Perrys, the first licensed CBD suppliers in the state of Nevada and highly regarded nationally. Through them, I learned about the therapeutic potential of CBD generally and how it can help with addiction specifically. After conducting months of extensive research, I came to my own conclusion that, yes, CBD can play an important role in helping people get sober. This is the reason I started Exact Nature Botanicals. You see, this issue is personal for me – I’ve been sober for 13 years and know the challenges and rewards of getting and staying sober. The prospect of helping others get control of their addiction(s) is all the motivation I need. Just imagine the relationships, jobs, and lives we can help save.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We have been in business for about a year and a half and already have customers from every state in the country, and our percentage of repeat buyers is extremely high. This tells us that there is a need for our products and that they are helping people get sober.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing the myriad functions necessary to run an effective and efficient online business is always a challenge. From taxes to product fulfillment to payment processing to social media to website search engine optimization and conversion, there is a never-ending opportunity to do more and to improve how and what we communicate with our customers.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your niche. Don’t swim in the same waters as everyone else.
- Do it well and better than the next guy, be it a product or service. It’s all about providing value for your customer.
- Make decisions that will serve your business and customers in the long run. Don’t sacrifice long-term prosperity for short-term gains.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Enjoy the process of building your business. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stressors and equally easy to lose sight of the long game. If you’re confident that your business will enjoy long-term success if you build and run it effectively, then be sure to enjoy the ride.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://exactnature.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExactNature/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exactnaturebotanicals/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/exactnature
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exact-nature-botanicals-llc/
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.