We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Spruell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.
Katie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 would say that 98% of the time, I am very happy with my decision to be a business owner. There are times here and there, mostly during a slower month, where I wonder what it would have been like to pursue something else, and what life might have looked like. Back when I was in high school, nobody ever really took the time to talk with me about what career I might want to pursue, and different fields I might thrive in. I literally didn’t even know what all my options were. I knew there was nursing, teaching, journalism, things like that- but never knew about half of the fascinating careers out there. Not many careers I was aware of at the time fascinated me enough to really want to pursue them. I did try college briefly, but again, the major I chose wasn’t anything that I felt passionate about, and I simply did not know what other many options there could have been. I had floundered for a few years working retail, food service, receptionist, you name it- all of which I definitely knew I didn’t want! I knew for sure that I wanted my freedom and to spend my days living by my own schedule, and have a say when and where I worked. Being a business owner really allows me to use my creativity freely, which I love. If I were to do anything else, I’m not sure what it would be- maybe an environmental scientist, or a park ranger in various national parks. But I can honestly say that I am very happy with my decision, and I love what I do more than anything!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve worked so many random jobs, I never thought I’d add soapmaker, homesteader, and beekeeper to that list. I started my business by making sugar scrubs. When my husband and I first started out, we were loaded down in student loan debt and credit card debt. I had experience working in a few resort spas doing nails, and I always loved using the sugar scrub on clients. I started making my own to sell just as a little side gig, and was putting earnings from them towards our debt. It wasn’t a lot, but I started to gain some customers. I decided to give soapmaking a go, and it was love instantly. I’ve always loved making soap the most, out of all the products I’ve made. Before I knew it, I had my products in some shops, I was doing various markets and festivals, and then I got online. I started gaining a large following in the area I was in at the time thanks to a local farmers market, and it turned into more than just a side gig. I am so happy to say that not only did we pay off all our debt, but that my business played a part in that. Soapmaking led to wanting to do more “homesteady” things, like growing our own food, canning and preserving food, and the raising honeybees. It’s not a hobby to us, it is our whole lifestyle. We love our homestead, and can’t imagine living any other way!
I’m so proud of this business I’ve built from scratch. I have put so much time and energy into developing my own recipes using simple, natural ingredients to give my customers a product that not only benefits them, but is also great for the environment. All of my ingredients are ethically sourced, and all packaging is zero waste.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
One thing about me is that I don’t care how busy I am, I always make sure to message back any customers, followers, etc. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve ordered from a small business, just to have my order lacking any personal touch to it- no “thank you” note or anything. Or times I’ve responded to a story a small business posted on Instagram or wherever, just for them to ignore it. Of course, nobody owes anyone a response, but I think a very key role to having customer and client loyalty is to actually respond and interact with them. Giving orders a personal touch, responding to comments, messages, etc, even if it’s just a “heart react” to it, all counts and goes a very long way with people. I personally don’t think anyone is too busy to interact with customers in one way or another.
Have you ever had to pivot?
My husband and I have moved a few times in the time I’ve had my business. Each time was exciting, yet so stressful! Each time, I was a nervous wreck that I would lose all my customers. When we lived in Maryland, I had a large following at a local farmers market. Leaving that market to move to Georgia was very scary for me, because I worried that none of them would continue ordering online, when they conveniently shopped with me at the market. Many of them still do to this day. Moving has definitely thrown me through a loop a couple times, but it’s also a great chance to grow and learn new ways to market yourself. Using social media to connect with other local businesses in the same area I’m in was a huge help, and simply putting myself out there has helped significantly, but it was a learning experience for sure.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebeardedbeehomestead.com
- Instagram: thebeardedbeehomestead
- Facebook: thebeardedbeehomestead