Devotion to Timeless, Quality Product

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danielle Scheven, co-owner of Carolily Finery, located in West Kelowna, Canada.

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

Carolily Finery is a high-end jewelry brand based out of West Kelowna, British Columbia. We handcraft statement necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for people like you- those who embrace their age, dress for themselves, enjoy life, and have a whole lot of living left to do!

At Carolily, you're a part of our family. From the very first interaction with us to when you open your beautifully wrapped package and put your piece of jewelry on for the first time, we want you to feel the Carolily love. We want you to know that you matter, and we are so happy you're here.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Danielle, and I own Carolily with my mother, Donna. We started Carolily to honor two very special women- Carol and Lily, my grandmother and great-grandmother.

Carol and Lily are the inspiration behind our company name and devotion to a timeless, quality product. Like them, all of the women in their family were encouraged to be proud, kind, strong, and unapologetically themselves.

Our clients are truly what motivates me. The emails, messages, and phone calls we receive about how much our ladies love their jewelry, how special we make them feel, and how excited they are to share our jewelry with others make everything we do so worthwhile.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

From a personal standpoint, my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is getting out of my own way and truly trusting in what we are building. It took some time to identify the limiting beliefs I had and to figure out a way to squash them, but once I did, it was like a whole new world opened up for us.

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

This has always been such an interesting question to me because I've always found that being a business owner is as hard as I make it. It can be the easiest thing in the world or the most stressful. It's up to me what that looks like.

There will always be challenges like funding, inventory management, and finding quality team members, but the way I approach these hurdles will dictate how "hard" being a business owner is. Do I see funding as an exciting opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone? Or the thing that is "holding me back"? Do I make myself sick worrying about keeping up with demand and navigating material shortages? Or do I lean into it and go with the flow to the best of my ability?

The hardest thing about being a business owner doesn't have as much to do with the business as it does you as a person. The hardest part for me has always been my mindset. Once I'm in the right frame of mind, there's no end to what I can accomplish!

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

Figure out your real why.
There is almost something deeper motivating us, and if you are able to get to the root of your "why," you'll have an easier time adapting to the ebbs and flows of starting a business. Everything will seem worth it because you are working towards something that is truly important to you.
Find your people.
Another way of saying this could be "find your niche." You want to figure out who your ideal client is and then find more of them. The ideal client is someone with a unique problem that you can solve, who trusts you, loves your business, and wants to tell everyone about you. And, they will!
Don't be afraid to be wrong.
Just because something works for one business doesn't mean it will work for yours. And vice versa. What one company would never use as a marketing channel maybe your best converter. Stay in your own lane, test, and experiment, and don't be scared to be wrong.

Starting Carolily with my Mom has been the best experience of my life. It has taught me so much about myself, and I get to wake up every morning excited to bring love and beauty to the lives of those around me. If there is any part of you that is considering starting a business, whether it be part-time or full-time, go for it! The only thing that is truly in your way yourself. Once you believe in yourself and what you're building, the possibilities are endless!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://carolily.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolilyFinery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolily_finery/

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.