Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Cropper, Owner of Beautybellcloset, located in North Pole, Alaska, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My name is Sarah, aka Sarah J, and my business is all about promoting two of my passions through clothing and accessories. I create designs with cruelty-free beauty and mental health in mind. My customers are people who love animals as much as I do, have mental health illnesses, or are advocates for mental health awareness.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been into skincare and fashion. When I was younger, I had a sketchbook in that I drew runway clothing designs in, along with the occasional Disney character. Drawing is still a hobby of mine that I do once in a while. As you can tell by my name, I am a huge fan of Disney, and Tinker Bell is one of my favorite characters. Growing up, I had horrible acne and worked on creating my own products in my mom's kitchen because nothing I used over the counter or on prescription helped me.
In fact, most of it ended up making my acne worse. While it was fun, I quickly learned that I did not have the tools to create the extracts and formulations I needed to have effective products. Later in life, I went to school to become an esthetician, where I excelled in the biology and practice of skin care. Being a person of many passions and a woman who wants to do many things in her life, I went back to school and earned my bachelor's in psychology. I will be starting my last semester of grad school next fall to gain my license in elementary education. I do not plan to sideline this new venture of mine once I get my own classroom; in fact, I offer stickers and magnets for teachers in my teacher's corner on my shop site.
I also review cruelty-free and clean beauty products on Instagram under the name "beautybellsvanity," as well as on my blog, beautybellsvanity. Occasionally I guest host on my cousin's podcast, "Shining Bright with Serene Grace," and I co-write on her Etsy site, "The Inspiring Peacock." What motivates me each day is that I am lucky to be alive and to be one of the first, if not the very first, non-beauty product-based cruelty-free beauty brands. Side note: I have been a judge on the panel for the Clean Beaty Awards hosted by Cert Clean and possibly will be again this coming year.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is seeing that others are intrigued by the designs I create, and I hope to get more recognition and sales soon.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest things that come with being a business owner are learning how to manage time, creating fair prices that give a decent ROI, and getting my name out in the community.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do a business out of your passion.
- Have fun, and learn when to back off.
- Promote like crazy.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://beautybells-closet.launchcart.store/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautybellscloset/
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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