Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ericka Chambers, co-founder, and CEO of Puzzles of Color, located in Little Elm, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the co-founder of Puzzles of Color. We create jigsaw puzzles exclusively featuring the work of Artists of Color in 60-1000 piece puzzles. Our customers are people who enjoy art and want to interact with it in a creative way. In a world filled with technology, we encourage people to step away from their screens and appreciate these beautiful works of art that celebrate diversity.
Tell us about yourself
The idea for Puzzles of Color came because I grew up in a family that did puzzles, but we always had a hard time finding images that represented our culture. So when I was pregnant with my daughter, I tried to buy a puzzle to work on throughout the pregnancy and realized that there still was not a lot of representation in that space. I am very fortunate to have a brother who is very tuned in to the art world and has a lot of skills in graphic design and printing, so he has been my partner since day one, along with our parents, who help with the finances, strategy, and fulfillment. Puzzles brought us together when we were younger and continue to do so now as we hope to bring the experience to even more families.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is that we started this business during the pandemic and are still going strong two years later. This is my first foray into small business ownership, and we have had quite a bit of growing pains. But we know that we will not always make the right choices, and the important thing is that we learn from those mistakes. We also think that everything happens for a reason, and even though some of those mistakes were painful, we would not be where we are today without those experiences.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner has been balancing my time. I am still working a full-time job and have a family to take care of, in addition to trying to grow this company to all that it can be, so I am constantly being pulled in different directions. As a founder, you have to also serve as the accountant, order fulfillment, marketing manager, and content creator, in addition to creating new products! So you really have to learn what you can afford to outsource and how to schedule your time so that things are taken care of.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Work on your purpose! I have never felt more in my purpose than starting this business with my family, and when you find something that lights up your life in that way, you have to keep at it! When you are on the right path, good things keep coming your way, and it's your job to embrace those things.
- Follow your gut. Many of the avoidable mistakes that we have made were because we ignored our first mind that said to do the opposite. Do not ignore your intuition!
- Embrace Self Care. Take some time to relax, exercise, go to therapy or have a support system in place to help in the rough days. Entrepreneur life is very busy, and there is always something to do, but you have to be healthy enough to enjoy the success.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.puzzlesofcolor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puzzlesofcolor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puzzlesofcolor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/puzzlesofcolor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/puzzles-of-color/
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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