Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susan Hanson, CEO, Founder, and Head of Brand at High Camp Supply, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
HIGH CAMP SUPPLY is the first Ephemeral Luxury company; born of the concept that experiences are more valuable than "things." When looking to convey emotion, there is a sensory language that communicates something words can not express. A gift that imprints the recipient with a deeply seeded memory, an experience more impactful than anything material that money can buy.
We describe our customers as having warm hearts and high expectations. They are primarily the nation's top retail consumers and retailers. We are fortunate to work with world-class customers on a daily basis, and we work extremely hard to earn and keep their trust. People come to us looking to convey emotion, and these gifts are extremely important to them. We want them to be proud and to send something that blows the mind of their intended recipient, especially when they believe that person has "seen everything."
Tell us about yourself
I am a lifetime entrepreneur and creative director. High Camp is my second business, and at this point in my life, it was important to create a business that truly reflects my heart. I envisioned creating a brand that celebrates every day with Ephemeral Luxury and Sensory Gifting. My love of gardenias inspired High Camp Supply's signature Vine and Bloom Box. I have always chosen work that I would do regardless of the financial implications. The lines of work and leisure are extremely blurred for me, and that is intentional. Work ends up being a huge part of our lives. The foundation of High Camp was structured around working with people I want to spend my days with, creating connections and synergies that are interesting, exciting, and rewarding.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Gardenias are my favorite flower, and I love living with gardenias in my everyday environments, as well as using them to celebrate the most formal occasions. Although many people treasure this elegant flower, they had never successfully shipped en-masse by air. Undeterred, I worked for months, refining the optimal growing methods and shipping flowers to ourselves until the process was perfected. We were the first to ship gardenias and, in doing so, the first to put flowers in a box and ship them overnight directly to a recipient's door, completely changing the look, feel, and expectations of the floral industry. Secondly, creating a culture with my team, I am deeply proud of.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
My background is in large-scale or small top-end events, commercial design, photography, video, and film. All of these are "sprint" based, with a clear start and finish. An eCommerce business and the act of creating a luxury brand from scratch is a marathon. Keeping consistent energy and inspiration long-term and learning to refocus my resources is something I've adapted to, and I am encouraged every day to keep pushing forward doing what I love.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Remain consistent, don't take the highs or lows too seriously, and keep pushing forward. Doing 5% better on a consistent basis will do the trick.
- Value all relationships. Customers, Employees, supporters, vendors - everyone. It makes or breaks what you are trying to accomplish, and days are much more fun.
- Make time to rest. It is critical.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://highcampsupply.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Highcampgardenias
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highcampgardenias/
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.
