Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shanel Kenney, founder of Ayva & Avery Co., located in Bayonne, NJ, USA.

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

Ayva & Avery provides unique, trendy clothing, accessories, and home decor to the modern plant lover. Our customers are fun, stylish, and obsessed with The Plant Life.

Tell us about yourself

I started my business back in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. I made the decision to leave my 9-5 job working in the corporate fashion industry and start building something of my own. My main reason for wanting to start my own business is to build a legacy that I can leave for my two children, Ayva & Avery, for who my company is named after.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner, honestly, is just making it through the first year. Running a business is hard and not for the faint of heart. Making it through all the personal and professional obstacles is an accomplishment in itself.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is that you own everything that happens in your business. For me, there is no one to fall back on. I am everything in my business, so if something goes wrong, it's on me to handle and fix it. That can get really hard when you have so many different things happening at once.

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

  1. Be yourself. Trying to follow or copy how others run their business or do things in their business is a sure-fire way to fail.
  2. Take your time and give yourself grace.
  3. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Although the journey has been tough, starting and growing my own business has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done, and I would not change it for the World!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ayvaavery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayva.and.avery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayva.and.avery/

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.