Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts and crafts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Whitney Young, founder of Kitt & Bunn Supply Co., located in Honolulu, HI, USA.

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

Kitt & Bunn Supply Co. is a shop of kawaii illustrations and ideas brought to life through home accessories, stationery, and other goods by creative duo Alex (Bunn) & Whitney (Kitt) Young. Our customers are our #pawffeeshopsquad friends who love community, journaling, crafting and collecting Kawaii goods.

Tell us about yourself

I'm Whitney, aka Kitt! My full name is Whitney Kitt Young, and I co-own Kitt & Bunn Supply Co. with my partner Alex Young. I first discovered Kitt & Bunn Supply Co. through exploring future hopes and dreams. I originally expressed to my partner that I wanted to create a business that people could be a part of and also where we could give back to the community. The ideas I originally had would take a monetary investment that I couldn't really afford, being that I was a full-time college student at the time. That was the moment that my partner had mentioned, "why not just start with doing what you love?" Which was journaling. From there, in 2018, Kitt & Bunn Supply Co. was born!

Kitt & Bunn Supply Co. in 2018 definitely does not look the same as it does now. We started off selling from a curated collection of wholesale products; from there, as we grew, we were slowly equipped to invest in our own sticker machines. In 2020 right before the pandemic, I took on my first big convention overseas to SF while releasing my very own sticker stationery line - what a rush, but for me, I feel like that's where Kitt & Bunn Supply Co. started actually to take its form. What I've realized over the years is that the community motivates me the most. The customers, the interactions of new partnerships, and also being able to interact with fellow artists who are on the same road as us.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There are so many different things I could list here, but I think overall, being able to create what I want to create. I think there are so many days when I feel swayed by the latest trends or things happening in pop culture, and it's so hard to hear what is truly speaking to me as an artist. Over the few years of illustrating and creating my own products being able to hold true to what I feel called to make and create is one of my greatest accomplishments.

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

One of the hardest things, personally, I find that comes with being a business owner is mindfulness and intentionality. I find this the most challenging because, as a small business, it's easy to find myself wanting every opportunity that comes my way, but it doesn't always mean that those partnerships/opportunities are beneficial for my mission and values as a brand. So staying intentional and mindful, finding that balance during busy and slow seasons to me is the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner.

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

  1. Show up and take a chance on yourself - don't put yourself down before being able to get started. Show up and take a chance on yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to grow in ways you never thought were possible yourself, whether that looks like getting one task done or ten tasks done for your business. Don't give up. Show up and keep taking that chance on yourself.
  2. Get involved - don't keep yourself isolated. Although society tells you to keep an eye out for your competitors, it doesn't have to be that way. The best growth happens in a community. Show up for that art event, visit your online friends at their events, and get involved in other businesses.
  3. Cultivate community - whether this is with people who your customers, artists, friends you've met or partnerships with businesses/brands. Be intentional and cultivate those relationships. Don't just show up for personal gain, tips, and tricks or to sign that contract. Build an actual relationship with the human beings behind it and cultivate community. These are the people who will impact your journey more than you ever could alone.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

One last note... Don't take it so seriously. Yes, when it comes to paying your taxes... please take that seriously... but don't take it all so seriously. Allow yourself to grow, fail sometimes, take chances on people and enjoy every step of it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kittandbunnsupply.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kittandbunnsupplyco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knbsupplyco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/knbsupplyco

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.