Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lauren Wittmann, owner of Riley Grae, located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Riley Grae is a cheerful, inclusive, collective shop + studio space. We offer a wide variety of items that are handmade/independently designed by artists and brands from all over the place. We share our location with four other local brands and like to think of ourselves as a true mini-mall. Stop in for a specialty coffee, a tattoo, get your nails or lashes done, and of course - shop! We make it a priority to support BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists when we can by stocking their wares and supporting their brands. It is important to us to maintain an approachable and inspiring space for our community to spend time in, shop, relax, learn, and enjoy!

As well as offering a welcoming space to shop, Riley Grae hosts pop-up markets featuring local artists and vendors. We love supporting smaller makers and brands that are just getting started by offering affordable vendor fees and free marketing. Although we haven't been able to host one in a while due to COVID, Riley Grae also holds workshops in our studio at the shop! We offer affordable and welcoming workshops for crafts and skills such as sewing/mending, block printing, collaging, zine-making, and all sorts of arts and crafts practices.

In addition to being a creative hub and one-stop shop for handmade goods in the community, we also have a section of the space dedicated to local musicians where we carry and promote their music + merch. This became especially important to us over lockdown as many artists' music careers were put to a halt. We are proud to have created such a friendly and loved space within our community.

Tell us about yourself

Riley Grae is a shop + studio owned and run by mother-daughter duo Lauren (she/they) and Trish Wittmann (she/her). Lauren Wittmann is an artist + designer based in Winnipeg, Canada. She loves to play with colours + shapes and appreciates handmade touches and analog techniques.

Trish Wittmann is not only the literal mom of the duo but the mom of the shop as well. Taking care of business and keeping Lauren on track - their skillsets balance each other out perfectly :-)

Riley Grae had existed as a brand since 2014 when Lauren would sell their wares at local pop-ups + markets - but only more recently became a brick + mortar when she and Trish teamed up to make their eclectic art based gift store dreams come true ~

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Following through with our vision and values has been one of the most rewarding feelings. We try our best to stick to what we think is the right path for us. Whether it's in the product we stock, an inclusive, safe space, or ensuring our employees' needs are being met, we always strive to uphold our creative ideas and moral beliefs. That is something we feel most proud of.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I think one of the trickiest things is keeping a healthy work/life balance. It can be very difficult to "stop" working - there is always so much to do - but it will catch up with you if you don't let yourself rest. When you are burnt out, not only your physical energy is depleted, so is your creative energy, and it's not a good feeling when your dream starts feeling like a chore. That's when you know you've overworked yourself a bit!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Make sure you are ready to commit. There are many, many sacrifices you'll have to make, so having the passion for following through is super important.
  2. You can't do it alone! Ask for and accept help - you are going to need it!
  3. Believe in yourself. Taking risks is so scary, but the end results are always so very gratifying and, in my opinion, totally worth it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rileygrae.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rileygraestore/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riley.grae/

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.