We were lucky to catch up with Connie Mansfield recently and have shared our conversation below.
Connie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
Jelly Cup Collective:
A few small businesses had a holiday pop up in a vacant space and we were offered the opportunity to continue in the space beyond holiday. Upon brainstorming, we realized there was a real need for an Asian American-focused artist and maker space. And just like that, Jelly Cup Collective was born!
We reached out to local Asian American-owned businesses that wanted retail space and got to work building a shared backroom with tools and resources. For the entrance of our store, we created a Chinatown gate made from tiles painted by fellow Asian Americans—it was a true community effort!
We bonded over potlucks, celebrated small business wins, and tackled challenges together. As we grew, we built a strong presence in the community, hosting BIPOC-focused events like community weaving, a zine release, writing and self-defense classes, and more. It’s been amazing to create a space that serves and uplifts our own.
PDX Fresh Start:
Launching a small business was very different than what I envisioned as just a supporter of small business. I scoured the internet for checklists or guides, but nothing really covered the whole process. I started with the basics: picking a name, buying a website, choosing a platform, setting up an LLC, opening a business credit card and bank account, creating social media accounts, and diving into local market research. These steps weren’t as fun as the product development, branding, and design bits I was excited about.
One of my friends was organizing an International Women’s Day event, so I signed up. Nothing was perfect with my brand yet. I pushed to make sure I had product that day and a business card even if they were self-printed. That day was proof that I was creating products people wanted and that it did not have to be perfect to just start. After that, I signed up for every market I could find and with each I gained experience and met amazingly talented and supportive small business owners along the way.
Connie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Jelly Cup Collective:
We’re an Asian American artist and maker collective based in Portland, Oregon, and we’ve had the joy of supporting nearly 40 artists and makers in our retail space. We’ve also thrown some awesome local and BIPOC-focused events that bring the community together.
In my retail and consumer goods career, I led Employee Resource Groups and loved building diverse teams that crushed our goals while focusing on personal growth. Whether it was celebrating Lunar New Year, talking openly about mental health, or creating a community cookbook with local chefs, those moments brought us closer and fired up our drive to do more together.
That same spirit lives on in our collective. We’re all about sharing—resources, tips, market insights, and business know-how—with a “community over competition” mindset. The friendships and support we’ve built along the way are what make this journey so special.
PDX Fresh Start:
My obsession with nailing the perfect bath bomb kicked off thanks to my kids, who love turning bath time into a mini adventure. I got hooked on figuring out how to make the bubbles last longer and the colors pop more. That got me thinking—life’s so busy, and we adults hardly take a beat to enjoy little things, like a relaxing bath. So, I started playing around with products that could easily fit into a hectic day.
Then, my mom passed away, and it hit me how precious every moment really is. That’s when I decided to launch PDX Fresh Start, as a way to honor her and boost self-care for those who need it most. Our signature products, like shower steamers for a quick refresh or pocket-sized nasal inhalers for a calming deep breath, were born from that idea. The best part? Reminding people they’re worth it — it’s been the most rewarding part of this journey so far.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Always saying yes. Growing up, I was taught to be super helpful, and working in retail we are taught the “customer is always right”. But when I became a small business owner, I realized it’s just as important to know your own limits and say no when needed. Running a one-person show means I’m making and packaging products, handling social media, setting up at markets, managing admin stuff, keeping the website up, shipping orders, restocking stores—you name it. On top of all that, there’s life! Burnout is no joke. It zaps your energy and can make you lose the love for what you do. Saying “no” isn’t just okay—it’s necessary to keep your passion alive.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Having been a manager for 16 years, I strive to listen with empathy, communicate transparently, and empower the team. I want to know what makes them tick and what their goals are so I can help them get there. It’s all about the platinum rule—treat people how they want to be treated. Building these relationships lays the groundwork for open and honest communication. When they know I genuinely care about them and their career, feedback flows naturally both ways, and we can work together to help them hit every milestone.
As for keeping the vibe upbeat, we keep things fun. Meme wars? Check. Potlucks? Double check. We even have a professional book club where the team picks a podcast or book to dig into together. I make sure the team feels comfortable sharing their thoughts so we can keep things real and honest. That way, everyone feels safe to be themselves, and we all stay connected and motivated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pdxfreshstart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdxfreshstart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/PDX-Fresh-Start/100092490125709/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniemansfield/
Image Credits
Pryzma Studio