We recently connected with Leah Beckett and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Both of my parents were entrepreneurs – my mom was a massage therapist and my dad is a veterinarian and farmer – so I was aware that running a business would present challenges and opportunities. I feel lucky that Herd Supply continually inspires me and that I have great customers who have shared values. Herd Supply continues to grow, but it is not my only job and I do not rely on it to earn a living. I have a “normal” job as a city planner, continue to help with my family’s farm, and do some freelance graphic design. If I focused solely on Herd Supply, I would feel lonely. But because each of the four roles feeds the other, I have exposure to different worlds which I love, even though I am finding balance between them.

As Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Ideas are driven by a single impulse: to be made manifest. And the only way an idea can be made manifest in our world is through collaboration with a human partner.” It is a great privilege to be the vessel to bring a gentle, sheep-inspired world to life, and it is also a great deal of work.

Leah, 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?

Herd Supply Co. has been a constant evolution that began with a love of sheep. As a child on a small sheep and produce farm, I adored my family’s small flock of sheep. I shared a birthday with one lamb, my first word was “baa,” and one sheep – Dolly – was more like a dog who would follow people around until they gave her treats. They are such lovable and instinctual animals!

In high school, I started going to farmers’ markets to sell produce – my stand was next to a dairy farm that sold goat milk soap. The idea for Herd Supply making soap started here. Because our farm had sheep, I wondered if their milk would be useful for making soap – and it turns out it was. Sheep milk is high in fat, so it is gentle and moisturizing in soap for all skin types.

Then I fell down a rabbit hole researching wool. Did you know most coarse wool in the United States is thrown away? Our farm composted it, and I knew of others that sent it to bulky waste. With that knowledge, I expanded the scope of the business to include products like wool dryer balls, wool stuffing, wool batting, wool pillows, felted wool coasters, and more.

More recently, I started learning about lanolin, the wax – and a super moisturizer – that separates from sheep wool when it is washed. I worked to incorporate lanolin into soap, like the Nana Lanolin Kitchen Block and the Wool Wash Bar Soap, in addition to launching the salves a few years ago.

Reflecting on this journey, I’ve heard interviews with founders who recommend starting a business to solve a problem. I was never in search of a problem – I just love sheep and wanted to share their merits with the world through low-waste and plastic-free packaged goods.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I consider Herd Supply products kitchen adjacent, so early in the business I offered cast iron cleaner in an aluminum jar. I was so excited about this product because it was a useful size at 8 oz and 16 oz, aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and because I thought offering a kitchen focused product line was the next natural phase for the business. But it took a generous mental leap to connect the sheep with the cast iron cleaner. I discontinued the product and decided to go deeper on sheep products, even though customers still ask if I’m bringing it back.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I love podcasts. Two business shows I like right now are called Founders and Invest Like the Best. Founders is amazing – the host recaps a biography on founders throughout history. Invest Like the Best has a wide range of guests, but I am most drawn to interviews with people in the manufacturing space. Whether it’s listening to James Cameron’s backstory or how single-minded Estée Lauder was, lessons throughout history help inspire the decisions for Herd Supply today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://herdsupply.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdsupplyco
• Facebook: facebook.com/herdsupplyco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herd-supply-co/

Image Credits
Sheep photo credit: Nolan Cicerrella – @nolancphoto / https://www.nolancphoto.com/ All other photos: Brita Potenza – @withflourinherhair / https://www.withflourinherhair.com/