Canadian and Artisanal - Scout

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leah Eyles, owner of Scout, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Scout is a card and gift shop in Toronto with a strong focus on handmade and Canadian-made brands. We believe in eco-consciousness, intentional purchases, inclusivity, and community. To our biggest fans, we’re also known as the “cute” store with a little something for everyone and the best selection of cards!

Tell us about yourself

I started working retail in my 20’s, not realizing at the time that I was paving my own path toward entrepreneurship. I was inspired by Etsy, and the One Of A Kind Show, noticing there were seasonal and online platforms for handmade, but I wasn’t seeing a lot of shops carrying these unique products. After MUCH rumination, some travels, and encouragement from loved ones, I decided to open my own shop!

I love how many connections I’ve made through my business with makers and other small business owners. I love the community we’re surrounded by, and because of the support shown to us, it motivates us to send that same love and appreciation outward by giving back with frequent donation drives and fundraising initiatives. We feel like so much more than a gift shop, and I think that’s what really motivates and drives me and the business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our ten-year anniversary felt pretty epic! It sent me down memory lane, offering me a moment to really reflect and see how far Scout has come in 10 years. It really gave me all the feels. I have a hard time tooting my own horn because I really feel like there are so many parts to a successful business, the staff, the customers, and everyone that offers time and energy, but I also need to recognize myself in that and allow a little pat on the back every now and again, and that was a big moment for me.

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

The challenges can vary depending on the season or the stage of the business. I think the old adage of wearing too many hats has been my biggest struggle. Taking on too much is a pretty standard entrepreneurial problem because it’s hard to let anything go, especially when costs come into play. I think getting to a point where I knew the store was growing in a way I couldn’t keep up within the capacity I had been was a big learning curve for me. It was hard to come to terms with needing to let some things go, but it ended up happening in a very organic way for me, and spoiler alert: There are people out there who can do things better than you :)

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

1. ADAPTABILITY! I know it’s cliche to say adaptability is key to growing your own business, but it really is, and I mean that in a few ways. Yes, keeping on top of trends and noticing what your customers want is incredibly important to stay relevant, but also noticing how the world around you is changing and how you personally are changing, I think, are also key. People connect with the person or the people behind a brand, and checking in with what’s important to you and the community you are connected to can be integral in building authentic loyalty.
2. ASK FOR HELP! You probably can’t do it all :) As time progresses, notice where you can invest in more help and what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can focus on the ways you best serve the business. You may even be preventing growth if you aren’t looking for ways you can hand things off to others. Not only does asking for help give you more time, but it can also lend a new perspective, opening up new opportunities for your business, or time for yourself, whichever you are after.
3. WHAT SETS YOU APART? Find ways in which you can stand out and set yourself apart from other businesses. What are you putting out into the world that is unique from what already exists? Trust yourself and that little voice inside you. It can be surprisingly wise!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.iheartscout.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iheartscout
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iheartscout/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iheartscout

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.