Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chad Schumacher, founder, and CEO of Allegory Handcrafted Goods, located in Joliet, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Luxury has a price tag conscious luxury has a story. While some luxury goods are about proving you've arrived, conscious luxury is about valuing the journey more than the destination. At Allegory, we turn materials with amazing stories into tools you can use every day. Pens handcrafted with wood from WWII Battleships, portfolios from sustainable Ecuadorian latigo leather, bags inlayed with Incan handwoven fabric, and more incredible stories are waiting at allegorygoods.com.
Tell us about yourself
I started my career in business development for higher education IT services. Allegory began as a Kickstarter project when my wife and I were between jobs. I quickly became addicted to product design, craftsmanship, and eCommerce. Allegory offers me the opportunity to do the things I truly love to do, even though they would normally be different roles. One of my favorite projects is experimenting with how we can create the best work environment possible for our small team while still hitting our big goals.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
While our crowdfunding and eCommerce success is surely something to be proud of, our work environment is at the top of my list. One of our team started with us after a long hiatus from work due to an autoimmune disease. Our flexible work scheduling allowed her to push herself when she could and rest when she needed to. Another team member and I both have ADHD and depression, and we've found ways to support each other through that while still doing the best work we can. We've created a place where people can be imperfect, human, and still achieve big things. Myself included.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When we started Allegory, we had no idea what we were doing. We had business experience, but not in a remotely similar industry. Funding our growth, more specifically knowing how much funding we would need, was always a challenge. Eventually, we just had to take a huge leap of faith and decide to invest whatever it took to create sustainable growth. Navigating that process of scarcity, doubt, faith to reach eventual success was the hardest part.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It's harder than you think it is.
- You're more skilled than you think you are.
- It's worth it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://allegorygoods.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allegorygoods/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allegorygoods/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/allegorygoods
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.
