Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in eCommerce but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elle McCann, Founder of Curious Themes, LLC., located in Nashville, TN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own a web design agency focused on eCommerce and scaling your Shopify store. My customers are either just getting started with eCommerce and need some help in launching their store for the first time, or they are already familiar with retail and have a physical store and are ready to scale their business further with online sales.
Tell us about yourself
I have a college degree in web development but really didn't get into eCommerce websites right away. During college, I started designing wedding invitations and started selling my products on Etsy. I was really looking to grow this business further and tried a few different eCommerce platforms until I fell in love with Shopify. It just clicked with me right away how this platform gave business owners so much power to launch and grow their online store, and I wanted to be part of that process. Working with small business owners one-on-one to hit their goals and scale their businesses even past their own dreams is the best part of what I do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is one that is always growing, but it is the number of stores I've helped launch. In my nine years now of being listed as a Shopify Expert, I've launched over 175 stores (and counting). To me, that feels like such a difference because I know the power that owning your own business can have. So I know that I have changed those customers' lives and their families' lives by helping them with the opportunity of entrepreneurship.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things is definitely work/life balance for me. I'm so passionate about my work, and it doesn't feel like a job, so it can be really easy for me to work all the time. Since having a baby in 2021, I've felt pulled in so many different directions, and I'm constantly coming back to creating better systems and structure so I can enjoy my work and enjoy my family without feeling guilty about either.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Being an entrepreneur is one of the hardest career paths you can take because you have to deal with so many different things that you don't have to in a typical career path. My biggest tip is to work on your growth mindset, and that includes reading business books and journaling. We all have so many stories and beliefs throughout our lives that can hold us back, so working through those can be so helpful. I also highly recommend having a mastermind group or business friends you can share your ideas because entrepreneurship can get lonely, and your ideas can always get better being workshopped around. Finally, I recommend prioritizing self-care, whether that is weekends off or a great morning routine. Taking care of yourself is always important to avoid burnout!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.curiousthemes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiousthemes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiousthemes/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/curiousthemes
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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