We recently connected with Julie Konkle and have shared our conversation below.
Julie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Before I took the unexpected leap of starting my own business, I worked as a nurse at a big university medical center – for a lot (30+) of years. I did everything from administering chemo to children to working as a manager in clinical research. My nursing career had it’s ups and downs as any job does. I found parts I loved and parts that I didn’t – but the experience left me with good people skills, and a strong curiosity about alternative medicine, (which is defined as ‘any of a range of medical therapies that are not regarded as orthodox by the medical profession, such as herbalism, homeopathy, and acupuncture.)’ That curiosity lead me to research and develop my own natural skincare line, and my people skills (and a little ADD) gave me the confidence to make a business out of it.
But why is it successful?
-We care for our customers and love to teach them about good skincare and why our products will exceed their expectations. When the customer is happy we are happy!
-We actually have ‘the home of mandatory joy’ posted on our door. We laugh alot and care about each other.
-We make damn good products and feel good bragging about them :-)
Julie, 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?
As previously mentioned, I worked as a nurse for many years. I never planned on starting this crazy business. I was at home one evening looking over the husband’s shoulder as he was ordering some very expensive goat milk soap online. I said to him “I bet I could make that.” His reply (that he will forever regret ;-)) was “Yeah, right.” So, I made a trip to the library that day, ordered up some supplies and began teaching myself how to make soap in my farmhouse kitchen.. after about 50 batches or so – I mastered it!
The skincare followed. As I became more confident in my new-found skills, I started doing some research on creating natural skincare.
As I made more and more stuff, and was doing a pretty brisk business selling to co-workers and friends. The septic system for the farm was not liking my newfound hobby so much, so I found a new place in the basement of a building downtown Chelsea, MI.
By that time I had roped my niece Erin in and got her hooked on soapmaking.
We found out our little ‘cooking’ space was zoned as retail…and the city kind of made us open a store. In a basement!
By word of mouth – it became busy!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Forget your learned limitations and never let others tell you you can’t… – You can do anything you set your mind to….. (referring to the previous story of the doubting husband…..) I love that story – him – not so much!
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
My business partner – and chief soap maker – is my niece, Erin. I’ve known her all of her life. We’ve always had fun together and were like-minded. The partnership happened organically.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.farmsudz.com
- Instagram: @farmsudz
- Facebook: farmsudz
Image Credits
C Tonya Merke Brian Chojnowski