We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Autumn Grant . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Autumn below.

Autumn , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

The most unexpected problems and issues I faced happened throughout the duration of 2022. I had been sick for most of the fall in 2019 with little to no answers as to why I was feeling the way I was. I was going through various tests and scans and ended up in the hospital twice. My doctors referred me to a neurologist and scheduled an appointment a few months out for March 5th, 2020. I continued to work hard on my business and try to keep it running smoothly during the waiting period. At that time, I had a storefront in East Nashville and a thriving online and social media presence. However, on March 3rd, 2020, my business was hit by the Nashville, Tennessee tornado. I was trying to process what just happened to our community, the next direction for my business, and worrying about my neurologist appointment in two days.

I almost cancelled my doctor appointment but kept it because it was a six month wait. The week my business was hit by a literal tornado I was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I felt like I was losing everything, and I couldn’t be around my loved ones due to the pandemic that shut the country down the following week. I felt incredibly defeated and felt like giving up on everything.

Autumn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ironically, I started my business as a medical fundraiser for my father Poppy, in 2017. I started making and selling bath bombs as a medical fundraiser with zero intentions of creating a business out of it. I have my degree in cosmetology sciences and always loved creating ethical products for myself and my family. My products started selling like crazy and I quickly became obsessed with becoming an entrepreneur.

Over the years I’ve been invited to The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, local Nashville news and media outlets, partnered with major celebrities and large brands for partnerships boxes. Most recently I filmed a tv show with MTV’s Wes Bergmann for an entrepreneurial game show.

I’m most proud of the community I cultivated through my small platform. I never thought I would touch so many lives through sharing my story and deciding to sell bath bombs for my father. I’m so proud that I could encourage kindness, sustainability, and hope through hard times. This season of my life is so special to me and one I will cherish for the rest of my life!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot a few times during my entrepreneurial journey – but I think that’s just how good business works! ha When lockdown went into full effect, and we couldn’t open our storefront I focus soley on our online platform. I had previously built up our online presence through collaborations and social media influencer opportunities and had something to fall back on. I really dived into our online platform and grew my business during covid. I was thankful that I had knowledge and previous experience in running an online business. The Kind Poppy is now more known as an online marketplace than a local Nashville, Tennessee boutique. We can learn so much through our obstacles if we let them teach us!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve learned that growth isn’t linear!! I think most of us have this idea of growth and success as a staircase. We are going to fall a few steps behind on our journey. I’ve sadly had to experience through my own health journey and circumstances like covid and the tornado.

I recently chose to take a brief sabbatical from my business, and it was not an easy choice. There is a quote that I love, “If you think you’re too busy to take care of yourself, you’re eventually going to be too sick to be busy.” My multiple sclerosis has been flaring up and causing me a lot of problems this past year. I haven’t rested since the tornado and covid and my body is burnt out. I had to remind myself that growth isn’t linear, and your success has its own path. I’ve been working on a new platform @alwaysautumncrafts on Instagram that inspires other autoimmune survivors, business owners, and offers encouragement. I’m integrating my blogs and recipes onto The Kind Poppy’s website and I’m finding that I’m expanding my offerings for The Kind Poppy.

I’m focusing on my body and my mental health so I can come back stronger than ever! I’m working on my health but someone reading might be going back to college or want to raise a family – all which should be celebrated. There is no timeline for success, and we have to be healthy and happy to be our best selves for our business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thekindpoppy.com
• Instagram: @thekindpoppy @alwaysautumncrafts
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thekindpoppy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-grant-208490113/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/thekindpoppy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGvdKAkynHGSPWNDSNUjecA
• Other: TikTok: The Kind Poppy It would mean a lot to me if you could include my current Instagram project @alwaysautumncrafts that integrates with The Kind Poppy!

Image Credits
All images owned by Autumn Grant of The Kind Poppy