Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cody Hughes, Founder of Untitled_Co, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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

Untitled_Co is a design studio and manufacturer based in Philadelphia. We create through an artist's lens, at the meeting point of utility and art. The work we create is meant to inspire and elevate the everyday experience. We create beautiful, long-lasting pieces for the home by combining traditional construction methods and new technologies. Our customer is keyed into the art and design world - looking for one-of-a-kind works that can't be found in mainstream markets like amazon. Our work utilizes found and repurposed materials that our customer appreciates esthetically and environmentally.

Tell us about yourself

Untitled_Co started without me knowing! After graduating from Pratt Institute for Sculpture, I was tinkering with functional goods while simultaneously trying to pursue a career as a visual artist in New York City. I found myself making more and more functional objects for friends and family, finding solutions to the challenges of city living. I was hell-bent on becoming a successful artist, determined to apply my degree in the real world. My partner, who has always believed in me along the way, created an Instagram account, the branding, and the logo for untitled_co without me knowing. It was then that I realized I was pushing something away and doing well. I wanted so strongly to pursue my career as an "artist" and apply my degree in the real world that I didn't consider furniture and design a path forward. After setting up at a local makers market, I realized that all of my wants and desires as an artist were being met more naturally in this line of work. At that point, I dove head first into designing and creating a product line, attending craft markets to talk with customers, get feedback and go back to the studio to improve and expand on designs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think it is important to acknowledge every day as an accomplishment. Running and maintaining a business is no small task. Often, it involves so many more things that are adjacent to the common thread of the business. Learning to manage cash flow was not something I picked up in my sculpture seminar class; I learned it on my own. Many things in business are like that, and each day brings new challenges that must be learned and overcome to get you closer to your end goal. When I reflect on our beginnings in 2016, I think about all the challenging stuff and realize all those things are a cakewalk today. All of those small things are an accomplishment to what is happening today. But, that being said, our Yayoi polka dot serving board was chosen as a finalist for this year's Etsy Design Awards. We are 1 of 100 finalists selected from the platform of over 4 million shops! The Yayoi board has been a part of the product line from the beginning, so it feels amazing to see it in the spotlight after all these years!

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

The hardest part of being a business owner is keeping your brand's ideals and mission true as you grow. Sustainable design has been a huge aspect of our work, and as we grow, finding ways to maintain our values as we scale up is harder. Keeping your values true when you are just a one-man band is easy. But things have to change as you grow and expand because you can't do it all. Finding like-minded suppliers and other businesses to partner with that align with your mission can be challenging. I enjoy facing these challenges because I can see the business strengthen and expand on those initial thoughts and ideas that happened when we conceived the idea of Untitled_Co in 2016.

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

  1. Find ways to get out of your head. Go on a bike ride, play in the dirt, and take a hike. Being a business owner is not a 9-5 thing so find ways to have fun and recharge.
  2. Get out there and get feedback on what you are doing. So much happens when you engage with others that you wouldn't have thought of. Find other creators and people who you can talk shop with. Put your business in front of others and be receptive to criticism.
  3. Know your worth and hold yourself to that standard.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.untitledco.design/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UntitledCoDesign/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untitled_co_/

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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