Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cody Phillips, owner of Freshies By Turtle, located in Rowlett, TX, USA.

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

We sell car freshies, air sprays, custom shirts, and wax melts at Freshies By Turtle! Our goal is to make any smells you have go away! Especially if your kiddos love chicken nuggets and fries and spill them all over your car! We have to products to get rid of those smells! I also teach and mentor other freshie makers to show them different techniques to help them grow their business and bring in more income for their families!

We are a small family business trying to bring back old-school customer service! We feel that nowadays, many businesses have lost that personal feeling of interacting with their customer base. They make their customers just feel like their another sale to that business. Our goal is to make them feel like they are a part of our family.

Tell us about yourself

I was in the beverage business for over 12 years. I held many positions throughout that career, but no position I was in felt like I was in the right spot. But I couldn’t think of anything else I wanted to do! When Covid happened, I got furloughed from my job. I searched for something to do to fulfill the time until I found another job! That’s when I stumbled across car freshies at our local flea market. I looked at my wife and said we could totally make these! She agreed! So I researched everything that we needed to buy to start making these! Also, at that time, we got the news that our son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. My wife and I thought this business would be a perfect opportunity to help our son and be a part of this business. That’s where the name Freshies By Turtle came into play because our son's nickname is turtle! He is obsessed with turtles!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have to say the biggest accomplishment is being able to do this full-time to support our family! Also, our wonderful customer base! The amount of love and support they have shown us is unbelievable!

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

I would have to say the hardest thing about being a business owner is finding that work-life balance, especially if you work out of your house. It’s not like you can pack up for the day, drive away, and then come home. Literally, your business is your home. So trying to find a way to balance being a dad and a mom while trying to be a business owner has to be the hardest part of it.

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

  1. Research what you're getting into as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other professionals in the area you want to get into!
  2. Start out small. Don’t go straight into it and buy a ton of stuff. Figure out first if it’s something you are truly passionate about. So if it’s something you won’t like, you won’t be stuck with a ton of materials to get rid of!
  3. Master your craft before you start selling it! Let the neighbors try it and give it out to random people to try. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and defiantly have an open heart to criticism. That will help grow your business by leaps and bounds is when you keep an open heart to suggestions!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself and your business out there! Promote, promote, promote! The more eyes you have on your product, the more likely they will buy it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.freshiesbyturtle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshiesByTurtle/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshiesbyturtle/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshiesbyturtle

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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