You Deserve Happy Mail! - Bright & Lively
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meredith Preston, founder of Bright & Lively, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bright & Lively is Canada's first subscription box for teachers. Each month, we pair a hardcover picture book with a carefully curated selection of teacher tools and treats. Our book selections focus on new treasures, small-run gems, and future classics that spark imagination and invite conversation. We love to partner with Canadian companies and makers to bring their products to teachers from coast to coast.
Tell us about yourself
In my 15 years of teaching, I have come to rely on a few things: a good talk with my teacher friends, the magic of a storybook, the joy of a great pen, and lots of coffee! Teaching online during the pandemic was a turning point for me - I wanted to find a way to connect with other educators. I felt the need to offer a 'bright spot' to others that struggling to balance their own experiences with bringing joy and learning to their classrooms. Bright & Lively was born out of my desire to bring happy mail to hardworking teachers across Canada.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The response from teachers across the country has been amazing and truly humbling. Our first box shipped in August 2021, and since then, we have sold out nearly every single month. Every time someone renews a subscription, I do a little happy dance. Creating something that people love and see value in is so incredibly rewarding.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There's never going to be enough time. Filming a 6-second reel might take an hour. Sorting out shipping mid-pandemic might take all afternoon. When you're making so many small decisions and your 'to-do' list is never-ending, accept that you're not going to get it all done.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Establish your niche and focus on it. It's easy to 'think big' but establishing yourself with a targeted audience means you're selling to people who are looking for what you're offering.
- Developing a relationship is often more important than making a sale.
- Be prepared to spend a lot of time figuring out the social media game.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you have an idea, go for it. Don't be intimated by the big players. Start small, make connections within your niche, and use social media to develop a community.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.brightlively.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightlivelybox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightlivelybox/
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.