Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heather McDuffee, founder, and co-owner of Creations @ The Edge, located in Colorado Springs, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Heather and Pryncess co-own a maker's boutique that supports the side hustles of women. We sell handmade items to help close the salary gap that women experience. We also support female-forward coffee roasters and tea companies. A small cohort of women are chosen to enter a seven-month program called Project Rahab, a deep dive into their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.
Tell us about yourself
Heather served the Church for 22 years, 13 of those years as an ordained clergywoman. When the pandemic hit, Heather had to attend to the needs of her family. She spoke to many women about how they were staying sane during the pandemic. One of those women was Pryncess. They both felt the strain of how to care for their families while also creating income during the pandemic. They noticed that many women were getting creative. Women were making candles, jewelry, and bath bombs. Heather and Pryncess started a social enterprise that could support women who were at home with their children or who wanted to make extra money while creating. They believe that creativity is good for a person's mental health, family relationships, and financial freedom. And they believe that healthy, happy women foster healthy, happy communities. Their vision is this: "Give a girl glitter, and she'll shine for a day. Tell a girl that she IS glitter, and she'll be light for the world."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We value real relationships and people as much as profitability. As a result, we have built a community of female makers who support one another. The two women in Project Rahab are exiting the program with LLCs and tools for launching their own businesses. We have taken part in supporting our local community with donations and events, from hosting Christmas in the Parking Lot (a giveaway market for our neighbors without homes) to donating gift baskets to non-profit fundraisers.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Sustaining ourselves financially and breaking into the tight-knit small business community of Colorado Springs have been a few of our challenges.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find a coach, mentor, partner, or anyone that will hold you accountable.
- Being your own boss means you need to create a work schedule, which includes setting aside time to create social media content and posts. Show up. And be intentional about your time to work and your time for yourself.
- Get comfortable making mistakes, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Mistakes are your teachers. And vulnerability is a sign of strength.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.creationsattheedge.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreationsAtTheEdge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creations_at_the_edge/
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.
