Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in a clothing line but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robin Hall, co-founder, and CEO of Town Hall Outdoor Co., located in Steamboat Springs, CO, USA.

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

Town Hall makes sustainable outdoor apparel for adventurous kids. Young people, ages 5-14, are our customers - no matter where they are from, what they like to do, who they hang out with, or what their favorite ice cream is. All are welcome at Town Hall, and we just want to help kids #loveoutside. Our guiding principles are being planet positive and building community. We intend to leave the planet better than we found it. We believe in People+Planet+Place, and Town Hall's 'place' in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Getting your gear dirty is a badge of honor, and community is everything.

Tell us about yourself

After 15 years in the outdoor industry, I was at a crossroads in my career. The company I worked for moved from the rural mountains of Colorado to Denver, and my family and I knew we didn't want to leave. So, two gentlemen in town and I put our heads together and went back to basics. Why are we staying in Steamboat Springs, CO? It's because of our kids and this great community. What are we good at? We know the outdoor industry really well, and we are good at outdoor apparel. What are we passionate about? The planet - we can't just create more stuff to create more stuff. Those three things met in the middle, and Town Hall was born two years ago.

I get up every day knowing that I am helping another kiddo enjoy the outdoors comfortably and warmly. We are inspiring them to look around, breathe in the air and appreciate all that this great planet has to offer and how we must save it together.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My heart still flutters when I see a kiddo out on the ski hill or walking to school in Town Hall. I couldn't be prouder that the three of us brought this thing to life and are building this amazing little Town Hall community of avid, adventurous, and passionate kids.

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

There's no comfort zone. Just when we are in a groove with, say, sales and order fulfillment, the website needs some attention, and I am watching a two-hour YouTube video on how to change something on the site. Or some accounting task will come through that we have to pivot on. Or we need to find some content for digital and social. It's awesome and scary all at the same time, but every day...heck, every hour!...is completely different.

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

  1. Find something that you are passionate about. You won't do it if you don't care.
  2. First step in starting a business? Develop your mission, vision, values, and purpose. It makes decision-making so much easier when your north star is set.
  3. Reach out to anyone that you can think of for help. You'd be surprised at how many people want to listen, advise and support you. Find someone that you admire on LinkedIn and ping them, call that high school buddy that is good at digital marketing or take a financially savvy neighbor for a walk.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Besides having kids, starting a business is the hardest thing that anyone can do. There is never a right time, there is always a ton of risk, but the personal reward and feeling of accomplishment are huge. I told myself that I would not go to my grave thinking, 'I should have started that business I was thinking about.' Find your passion, do your research, dig deep and go for it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.townhallco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Townhallco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townhallco_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/townhallco/

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.