Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nadine Adams, Owner of Wind Song Acres, located in Plymouth, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Wind Song Acres make handcrafted soaps and candles. Our products are made with ethical, sustainable, and local ingredients. Our customers are looking for high-quality products made with simple ingredients that work.
Tell us about yourself
I used to be a biology teacher at the local high school. One summer, a colleague mentioned she was making her own soap, and the business grew from there. I started in my kitchen 19 years ago and now have a separate building and shop on the property. We have developed and tweaked the recipes over the years and continue to try and find the best sources for our ingredients.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a small business owner, it is great to watch the business grow each year. Putting up the building has been the biggest step for us. It gives us the space we need to create our products and allows us to easily share what we do with our community. We have recently started hosting soap-making classes that have been a huge success and wouldn't be possible without our new space.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part about being a small business owner is knowing how to walk the line between too much or not enough innovation. Refining core products and resisting the urge to continue adding to the line-up of products and services. Creating something new and jumping on every trend is very tempting and exhausting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a clear idea of what you want your business to be and who your customers are. We started off running and moved a little too fast. Over the last few years, we have been working to refine the vision for our brand.
- Always look for unique ways to engage your community. Whether your community is online or down the street, you need to keep them engaged. Help them feel like they are a part of the family.
- Find good quality help. You don't need to tackle everything by yourself, and sometimes it is better to get an outside opinion. When you are too close to something, you don't always see the big picture issues or opportunities.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
You won't know if you can do it until you start.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wsasoapsplus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSAsoaps/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsasoaps/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.