Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brett M. Hartnett, Co-Founder of Natural Zen Home Fragrance Studio, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

Natural Zen Home & Body offers non-toxic home and body care products that support your well-being. Our handcrafted products range from unique, clean burning candles, essential oils, laundry & home care, natural deodorant, and so much more. Our customers are looking for natural, non-toxic alternatives to sustain and maintain their family's health and well-being naturally.

Tell us about yourself

We wanted to replace the toxic, synthetically fragranced products in our homes with products that would support wellness and nurturing. I have COPD and, with it, sensitivities to synthetic fragrances and home toxins. I knew there had to be a natural way to replace these toxic products. We knew we weren't the only ones who had sensitivities to chemical fragrances or wanted to lessen the toxins in their homes. We decided to build a company based on creating and providing truly non-toxic alternatives that support the health of our homes and daily well-being naturally. Being able to provide people with these alternatives and knowing we are enhancing their lives keeps us motivated and passionate every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Showing other businesses that you can create products without harmful ingredients and without creating detrimental environmental impacts has been one of the biggest accomplishments so far. It takes a lot to be uncompromising every step of the way, but everyone can keep striving!

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

The hardest part of being a business owner is the unending time and attention to support all the business's needs. I like joking with people and saying I refuse to work 40 hours a week for someone else, but I will work 24/7 for myself!

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

The top three tips I would give to new prospective business owners and entrepreneurs are:

  1. Be creative. Don't just try to do what everyone else is doing.
  2. Be flexible. There are no failures, only learning opportunities so take the time to learn from them.
  3. Be persistent. Believe in yourself and your idea, and FIND a way to make it a reality.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I believe that, as a society, it's time for a paradigm shift when it comes to business. We have to shift the way and the why of doing business. Instead of businesses focusing on making money and using the world to help them accomplish that, we need businesses to focus on doing good for the world and using the money to help them accomplish THAT.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://naturalzen.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naturalzen.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturalzenstore/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/naturalzenstore

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.

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