Crafted in Color, Handmade With Love

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Vanessa Deets, Founder of A Branch & Cord, located in Wilsonville, OR, USA.

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

My business is A Branch & Cord. My customers are primarily women looking to accessorize themselves or decorate their homes with my macrame goods. They are women who love supporting small businesses and being connected to the owner behind the business.

Tell us about yourself

My business started solely because I wanted fiber art on my walls, and I decided to make my own. Friends made requests and soon were paying customers. I never dreamt that things would grow into a thriving business. I have three young children at home from ages 2 to 9, and being able to run a business from home alongside them has been both extremely challenging and also incredibly rewarding.

Staying connected in a variety of ways motivates me daily. Social posts keep me connected to my followers and friends. Orders to keep me connected to customers. Wholesale orders keep me connected to shops. I love all of this so much.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My business was featured on our local news station, and having enough products to display and information to share, to more than fill up a segment was incredibly rewarding. The support of the segment by friends, family, and followers was overwhelming. It helped me realize how far my business has come.

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

Learning all the best financing practices has been the most challenging. Knowing when to hire help, how much inventory to always have on hand, how to affordably and sustainably source stock, how to allocate revenue, and how to invest in growth.

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

Now is the best time to start. There is never a perfect time to begin.
Anyone can start a business, even without a perfected skill or a ton of time to dedicate to the business.
Stay consistent and identify your niche early on.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.abranchandcord.com/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/abranchandcord
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abranchandcord/

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.