Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shelby Bundy, co-founder of Tamed Wild, located in Hendersonville, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Tamed Wild is an online shop that provides tools for the earth spirited. We sell crystals, teas, tarot decks, altar cloths, jewelry, and other spiritual tools for the modern mystic. Our customers are free-spirited souls who believe that all magic lies within ourselves. We are the makers of our own destinies.
Tell us about yourself
I started Tamed Wild in 2016 initially as an herb and tea line. From there, we developed a monthly subscription box that provides a themed intention-setting box to subscribers. The Tamed Wild box allows busy witches to connect with their craft each month with an easy and affordable ritual. I love this business and the community it has built. I am constantly learning from others and am always looking for new ways to provide for our customers. It is an ever-changing flow, and I am grateful to be able to do this every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner was being able to provide full-time employment to other people. It feels good to have built a company that not only supports my family but is able to provide livable wages, medical insurance, and 401K to others.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, the hardest thing is being able to stay balanced. I love what I do and can have a hard time shutting off sometimes. When you are the owner, there isn't anyone else to pass the baton to sometimes, and that can be hard. I have learned to be very aware of when I am overworking when I am being unproductive, and when to close the laptop and walk away. It is easy to get wrapped up late into the evening, so being aware of this has been a work in process.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find something that you truly love to do. Choose something that you feel deeply aligned with because it is going to become a huge part of who you are.
- Ask for help when you need it. In the beginning, you wear all the hats and juggle all the jobs. Usually, this is because you cannot afford help, and you are also learning all the inner workings of your business. Once you can afford it, pass off the things you don't love to do or are not the best at. Learning to focus your energy where it best benefits the business is key.
- Be patient. In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to get discouraged and frustrated when things take time. Building a sustainable, viable business takes years. There will be peaks, and there will be valleys. Lace-up for the trek and enjoy the journey. Don't give up.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://tamedwild.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamedwildofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamedwild/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.