We were lucky to catch up with Carrie Newman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carrie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I have to be honest and share that I absolutely love being a business owner. There were many days that I dreamed about what I might do and what business I would start. It has always been in my heart and it is so fulfilling to achieve a long desired goal. I don’t wonder about what it might be like to have a regular job because I still work full time. I find myself working toward a happy medium while doing my best to maintain balance for myself and my family. I have tried and failed many times and I believe that is necessary for growth. I tried apps and various approaches to scheduling my time and tasks. If I had not tried, I wouldn’t be able to determine what works well for me. There are so many tools for organization and task management but that can be overwhelming. I have written out lists that are unrealistic to complete, underestimating time that I actually have to give. This sometimes can make me feel defeated. I am still learning so I go back to the drawing board often to revise plans and make sure I am effective but not overwhelmed. This is not a one size fits all situation so keeping that in mind is very helpful for me. I am not afraid to make mistakes and I make the best of any situation because you have to give yourself that room to grow. I am grateful for the challenges that I have faced because those growing pains continue to help me become more effective in business and in all areas of my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey with Michigan Bear Cub Collection started with a culmination of my love for Michigan, my life, health experiences and my desire to creatively help others. I create 100% soy candles with clean fragrances and pair them with wooden crackling wicks. I also make home decor, wax melts, room sprays, and diffusers. I intentionally use clean products that are environmentally safe because people deserve products that are free of carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, & other toxic chemicals. I have unique products that highlight the beauty of Michigan and some of it’s most popular historical cities and vacation destinations. I am very proud of my commitment to providing high quality products that people can enjoy. I have partnered with other small business owners to create one of a kind products such as our original Michigan candles and decorative centerpieces. I love seeing the look on my customers faces when they smell my products, it is such an honor to be able to make things with my own hands and share those gifts with the world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started this business with my husband in the midst of a world crisis and right after having our first baby. I was afraid that things could crumble due to covid but we persevered and decided to give it shot anyway. I recall going to get supplies with my mask on in deserted stores and thinking this may be wild but I am not going to let anything hold us back. The news of many local businesses closing did not set well with me but I decided to push through the thoughts of what could go wrong. I decided to find outdoor events and spaces where I could thrive because of what I seen other businesses face during the pandemic. My husband created our website from scratch and that was very crucial to our success. I wanted to have a space for our business that didn’t require loans, approval, or assistance from sources outside of our household. I believe that also prepared me to be creative in my approach and make a sustainable business that could operate even if we endured another shut down. I feel prepared for anything now because I have seen what I perceive as worst case scenarios for small business owners.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I got started with a dream, hope, and finances from my day job. I was working for Girl Scouts as a Girl Engagement Consultant. I discussed the idea with my husband and he helped me plan and allocate a budget that was feasible for me to maintain. It was important to me that I use my own resources. I had a fear of going into debt and I didn’t want that to hinder our growth. It also helped me stay consistent and driven to keep moving forward. It provided me with peace of mind knowing that I did not owe anyone for resources or supplies. We had just began our parenthood journey and I didn’t want to be stressed with the thoughts and guilt of monthly payments onto of my new set of responsibilities. We started small and with 4 candle scents and we now have 30+ scent options in our collection. I think trusting yourself and the process is very critical. Starting small also gives you flexibility to pull back or expand as needed versus feeling the need to be an overnight success story.

Contact Info:

• Website: michiganbearcubcollection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michiganbearcubcollection/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganBearCubCollection/