Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alisa Stephenson, owner of Alma Home & Vintage, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

Alma Home & Vintage is a home decor shop specializing in unique vintage and handmade pieces in order to promote sustainable and stylish living. We care about the environment and make every effort to keep our footprint small.

Our customers range from young college students to retirees in Vancouver, BC, and around the world, all with a passion for vintage, design, and supporting small businesses. We love to help our customers create unique spaces in an environmentally-friendly and budget-conscious way.

As a small business, it is also important to us to give back to our community. That's why when you shop at Alma Home & Vintage, you contribute to sustainable living by being a part of our exciting initiative of planting one tree for every purchase made. We've partnered with One Tree Planted to support their mission of global reforestation.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up between Canada and Japan, so travel has always been a big part of my life. So much so that in my early 20s, I worked as a travel agent, helping clients turn their dream vacations into reality. I also had the privilege of exploring the world through travel myself.

Against the backdrop of so many beautiful sights, I was always drawn to pieces that told the stories and rich histories of local cultures and traditions - from dressers with ornate French detailing to geometric floor cushions from Thailand. As I began bringing a little piece of my travels home with me, I was able to create a one-of-a-kind, joyful space in my home with these carefully curated mementos. Little did I know, this would blossom into what is now Alma Home & Vintage.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment so far has been opening a brick-and-mortar store in September 2021. Before that, I was selling on Etsy, Instagram, and other online retail platforms. I still enjoy selling online and talking to customers in other parts of the world, but there are some vintage items that are difficult to ship, and I love having customers visit in person so they can see and feel the products for themselves.

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is feeling like you're being pulled in a million different directions. As a one-woman business, I have to wear a lot of hats as I manage everything from sourcing to customer service, to marketing, to administrative work, cleaning and organizing. At the same time, the day-to-day is so varied and unpredictable that this is also what makes the job interesting and exciting.

As a mom of two, I also feel like I'm juggling between my family and my business and constantly behind schedule. But so much of my motivation comes from showing my kids that you can achieve your goals and dreams, so I like to involve them in my sourcing trips or get them excited about new inventory in the shop.

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

  1. Do your market research about the field you're interested in to see if it's a viable option. If possible, get some experience in the field first before venturing off on your own.
  2. Invest in yourself. Take courses or join entrepreneurship groups. Surround yourself with like-minded people so you can share ideas, accomplishments, and failures. You'll want a support system of people who can relate to your experience of launching and running a business.
  3. Just start. You can plan and think about it 24/7, but you need to be able to put your ideas into action. You can learn quite a bit just by trying, even if things don't go exactly as planned. And as long as you don't give up, you're not actually failing.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://almahomevintage.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almahomevintage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almahomevintage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/almahomevintage/

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.