Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Geri Coria, founder of Apothegeri, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Apothegeri honours the little moments. Bringing comfort, light, and a dash of cozy into your home and daily rituals with our candles & trinkets. These products are for those who want to decompress after work at the end of the day. For those who want to treat themselves, for those who need comfort in their vulnerable moments, for the intimate moments - for you & yours.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Geri, and I started my career as a project manager within marketing & advertising. APG started as a creative medium for me and was a way for me to show love to my friends and family. My dad loves candles, and growing up; they were something we always had in our home. He was the first person to show me how to use candles as a means of self-care. He would work long hours during the week, and during the weekends, all he wanted to do was light a candle, watch tv & eat a good meal. What first got me started working on Apothegeri was this need to create something I wasn't finding anywhere else. Whenever I went shopping for candles for my dad and my family, I wasn't seeing us represented. I wasn't seeing our home. What motivates me every day to do what I do is honestly - my community, my family & for my younger self.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is truthfully seeing the candles lit in people's homes. I would get DM's from people saying that the candles remind them of their families and photos of their candles in homes that looked like mine growing up and how they helped them feel homesick or were gifted from friends during lockdowns. It truly means so much to me and reminds me why I started the business.

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

Self-doubt! Growing up, I admired business owners I would see in Canadian Biz mag, Chatelaine, Glamour, etc. I would daydream of the glam life of being an entrepreneur. It's so far from that; the important thing is to stay true to yourself your vision and not compare yourself to others.

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

  1. Write it down and write down your dreams and hopes for the business you want to start.
  2. Find a trusted accountant and have a real conversation with yourself and your finances. Is this something that is sustainable within your lifestyle, or is this just right now, and can you see yourself running this business 5-10 years from now
  3. Growing a business can sometimes feel like you're the only one on the island. Reach out to your community, and connect with other business owners. It truly takes a village to see things through, and having people within your network that you can talk to and learn from can really help.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

For those who are thinking of starting a business or are in the process of, just remember to show yourself some kindness along the way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://apothegeri.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APOTHEGERI/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apothegeri/

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.