Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Dudley, owner and founder of The Sunscreen Company ™, located in Grimsby, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We make the safest and most effective mineral sunscreens with luxury skincare to match.
Tell us about yourself
I've been working with our company since 2008. I had been working in Washington DC, looking to return there to work at a non-profit when I decided to return back to Canada. I became enamoured with the idea of getting our company operational after years of it focusing on R&D. I knew very quickly that we had something special with our unique and deep expertise and our ability to make beautiful, aesthetic sunscreens.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It's been a trying couple of years and it has tested us as a company in so many ways. I feel that we've come a long way since we have began but even just looking at this year at the way that we rallied and overcame all of the different supply, logistic and operational hurdles. I'm proud of what my team has done.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part is that you can never clock off. There is no time card for worrying and I'll wake up most nights at 3 am in the morning, worrying about something. I've learned though that you have to give yourself some grace and that is the only way to ease your mind. We've persevered through all the natural ebbs and flows and being a good business owner just means problem solving.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I would say to be very clear about what you want to bring to the market in terms of a point of difference and whether a customer will appreciate it. I feel like a lot of business ideas start with the idea of what the founder or creator wants as opposed to what the market wants. We operate in a very crowded space right now in beauty and there is so much that is beautifully executed or branded but that has a lot of overlap in it.
I also would say to keep in mind your cash flow- as you grow larger that can become the largest hurdle to overcome.
Finally, I still think it's best to grow in a sustainable way with an eye on profits and margins, including in where you look to distribute your products. I believe this is the best way for long term growth and not overextending yourself.
Anything else you'd like to share?
You may not love all aspects of running a business but as an entrepreneur you do have to try your hand at all aspects. You have to keep your finger on things like operations and accounting, although it's good to also work with trusted individuals. You have to manage that side of the business even if it's less fun than sales and marketing.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://thesunscreencompany.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thesunscreencompany/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraadudley/?originalSubdomain=ca
https://www.facebook.com/SunscreenCompany
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.