Make Home Your Haven

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in home care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Krystin Smith, owner of Hacienda, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

My business is a home decor collection that encourages people to create the home of their dreams. The collection has been curated by me, a professional prop stylist and buyer. I love the idea of using my skills to help each customer create a home that inspires and excites them!

Tell us about yourself

I had always wanted to curate a collection of home decor, even before I became a prop stylist. I came from a career as a social worker helping Toronto's homeless find secure housing. This work helped me develop a deeper understanding of the importance of home and what that means. I love the idea of helping people make their homes into a space where they feel safe, happy, and that reflects who they are.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say that just getting started and making my first sale as an official business has been my biggest accomplishment. So many people have amazing ideas that never see the light of day because of fear or just not knowing where to start. Our two-year birthday is coming up on May 19th, and I couldn't be more proud of what we have built!

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

I think one of the hardest things about being a small business owner is not getting discouraged when times are hard. Running a business is an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows. It's a lot of learning through mistakes and feeling like you should quit. The number one thing that every single successful entrepreneur I've ever talked to or read about has the same piece of advice to offer: just keep going. It isn't easy but to have faith in your abilities and your product, and keep working hard! Results will come.

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

Just ship it! - I heard this advice on the Marie Forleo Marie TV YouTube channel. She had a guest on the show that urged people with an idea to just start. A lot of us become perfectionistic about our brands. While it's very important to care about your image and how you portray your company, it is also important to not "let perfect be the enemy of the good." Just ship it urges you to ship your product and perfect it along the way.
Create a beautiful, consistent brand image and message. Use it anywhere your brand appears and pay attention to the small details.
Familiarize yourself with your ideal customer, and use every opportunity you have to get the word out there to the people who will be interested in buying your product. Social media, magazine features, email marketing, as well as in-person opportunities like markets and fairs.

When going into business, make sure you love what you're doing/the product you're selling. I have a huge passion for home decor. Part of being a good salesperson and spreading the word about your brand is being able to excite people and show them why the item you're offering is going to solve a problem for them. You have to believe in what you're selling. I feel this is a huge component in running and growing a successful business!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://shophacienda.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shophacienda/

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.