Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heather Itzla, Founder of Wisdom Supply Co., located in Sausalito, CA, USA.

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

Wisdom Supply Co. We produce plastic-free, zero-waste school + office supplies because directing generations of children to routinely purchase disposable, wasteful products that deplete and pollute the resources all life depends on flies in the face of education. Our customers span students and their families of all ages, Kindergarten through Grad School, and people with office/home-office needs.

Tell us about yourself

Learning about the scope and scale of plastic pollution - it's in the air we're breathing, the water we drink, the soil where we grow our food, it spans the water column from the ocean's surface to the sea floor, and the chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic are in our children's bloodstreams before they're born - while witnessing my children receiving long lists of mass-produced disposable plastic products year after year, for their education. I cracked and somehow convinced their teacher/school to allow me to purchase all the supplies needed for the year (as zero-waste as I could find them on the market), and parents reimbursed me - they were happy not to have the back-to-school hassle, and I was happy to cut WAY down on the waste while educating students in the process. Other local schools took note and asked if I could do the same for their families. Soon after, I met my soon-to-be co-founder and fellow plastic pollution activist, Nikki, and we teamed up to build a BCorp addressing wasteful products in schools and offices.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We're incredibly proud of our BCorp Certification.

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

It's all or nothing - Once you're in, you're in, and you bear the responsibility for every element of the business, financial and otherwise. I've found it hasn't improved my sleep schedule.

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

Keep it simple. Follow the rules. Build a solid foundation that will hold up your house. Find a great bookkeeper!! Read the BCorp Handbook!!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.wisdomsupplyco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisdomsupplyco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisdomsupply.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-itzla-56138018/

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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