Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anupama Ashok, Owner of Orbliss, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Orbliss is a zero-waste daily essentials company devoted to creating minimalistic, practical, and ethical products to lessen our environmental footprint. Zero waste products provide alternatives to single-use disposables that people use daily. All our products are handmade here in Canada with a focus on quality for them to withstand everyday use. Everything that I sell has been tried and tested by myself first. Our products are for everyone who wants to lead a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle. A zero waste lifestyle is committing to sending as little waste to landfills as possible to improve the planet. I believe that we can do that together, one eco-friendly product at a time.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve always been a crafty person and looked for ways to recycle and reuse things at home. After having kids, I started making ponchos and bibs. Even though I worked hard on it, there was no interest in making clothing. At that time, we were using reusable cloth diapers instead of disposables for our kids. I started looking for other sustainable and eco-friendly products that I could make and use at home. In that process, I learned how single-use products are impacting the environment that we live in, and there are a lot of simple eco-friendly alternatives we could choose instead.
The first Orbliss product that I made was reusable drawstring bags. I sold it in bulk that could be used for produce, as packaging, and also as gift bags. Thanks to all the buyers who bought from me then, and that encouraged me to make other zero-waste reusable products. I now make unpaper towels, unsponges, bacon sponges, bee wraps, snack bags, straw pouches, washcloths, produce bags, and more!!.
I have to give credit to my mom - Sujatha, who pushed me to learn to sew, and I never thought it could actually create an income for me. My products are available online as well as in local stores here in Ottawa.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a small business owner, every step forward is a big accomplishment. Every new eco-friendly product that I make and launch, reviews from satisfied buyers, and growing my business from online to in-store is a very big accomplishment right now!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me is marketing my business on social media platforms, and thinking of marketing campaigns has been a real struggle.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a purpose, motive, and financial plan. That helps running business long term.
- Sell high-quality products that you’d use yourself.
- Perseverance is important. Keep it going!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you give zero waste a chance, then you can start making your planet and yourself much happier, as our tagline says - “Happy Earth. Happy You.”
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/orbliss/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orbliss.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orbliss.ca/
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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