We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Robin Bennett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Robin below.

Alright, Robin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Each of us takes risks every day, some big, some small. Many times, we do not even consider the possible outcomes.
In our business, we take risks all the time. The biggest risk being putting ourselves and our products out there every day to be viewed and judged by others.
Before starting our business, I worked in the medical field for most of my life. While taking care of others was a fulfilling role, I knew deep down I was made for more. I wasn’t quite sure what, but I knew there was a greater calling on my life. However, I stayed in my previous career for about 15 years. Honestly, because it was safe, and I knew I was good at it. I let fear of the unknown trap me in my comfort zone.
In 2019 I was in a life-changing car accident involving a semi-truck. The loaner car I was driving had been hit, rolled, and tossed into the woods. God’s hands literally held me during the entire thing. I should have been dead, but God wasn’t done with me yet. After this wreck, I was unable to drive or even dress myself for 6 months. I loved my comfort zone so much that I tried desperately to return to my role in patient care. Through a series of events, that door was soon closed, and so was the idea of continuing to work in patient care.
After some extensive time of not working, doing physical and occupational therapy, and having more family time, the question came: What was next? What I thought was my career and part of my identity was gone for good. I had always known I was made for more, but what that “more” would be, I had no idea.
After working for large corporations for so many years, I knew I really did not want to work for big companies anymore. But I had to do something to pay bills and help make ends meet. So, after a lot of thought, prayer, research, and consideration, I decided that entrepreneurship was the only open door. However, that was way out of my comfort zone. I knew nothing about the business world. From a very young age, literally all of my life, I had only ever really been a caregiver.

From there came even more questions and uncertainty. What kind of business should I start? How do you start a business? What are the legal requirements? How much will it cost? Where do I go for help or resources? The answers were right in front of me.
My kids had been homeschooled for multiple years at this point. We were part of a local homeschool cooperative. Within our co-op, there were so many super smart, creative students who had participated in a micro business class offered by the co-op. Each student had to come up with an idea, a product or service, and sell it at lunch to other families within the co-op.

My daughter and business partner, Katie, had been a participant in this class for several semesters. At first, she sold art, drawings, and paintings. Then she added poems. Finally, she decided handmade jewelry was her real passion. Katie had always had an eye for style. So naturally, making jewelry that was different and unique, that would accent someone’s outfit and represent their personality, was the perfect choice for her. She eventually wanted to combine her talent for style and drawing to become a fashion clothing designer.
As her parent, I really wanted to encourage her creativity and push her to follow her dreams while also keeping her expectations and goals realistic. I realized that neither of us had any idea what it would take to start a business, grow a brand, or make a name in that world. At the time, Katie was still a teenager in high school. She wasn’t ready or old enough to launch a business of her own in the outside world.

It was then that I knew I needed to step up and step out of my comfort zone. It was time to take the biggest risk of my life by starting my own business. A business where Katie and I could learn hands-on what it takes to be an entrepreneur. We needed to learn how to develop a good product that people want to buy, how to market that product, and make it stand out in a world where new products are yelling at consumers from every direction.
There was one more small problem: jewelry is Katie’s passion, not mine. I needed a product that I could be passionate about making and selling to others. It took a while for me to figure out what that could be. Handcrafted skincare with healthy ingredients, safe for sensitive skin (like mine) and made with high-quality ingredients that smell amazing — that is what excites me.
From that passion, The Robin’s Nook was born – a business built around handmade soap and jewelry.
Yes, it was the biggest risk of my life. And yes, it still is one of the best things I have ever done. Every day in our business we learn something new, meet new people, make new connections, and grow both personally and professionally. Every time we set up at a market, we risk rejection and financial loss. But it’s not always about what you might lose, it’s also about what you can gain, like knowledge, growth, constructive criticism, connections, relationships, etc.
In the end, it’s never really about the risk; it’s about what you do with the outcome. You can let the outcome pull you down and hold you back. Or you can let the outcome help you to grow beyond your wildest imagination.
We choose growth every time!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the co-founder of The Robin’s Nook, a mother-daughter small business built on creativity, craftsmanship, and a genuine love for helping people look and feel their best. Our journey into this industry grew out of both personal passion and life experience. After a major life transition pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and explore entrepreneurship, I partnered with my daughter Katie to create a business where we could grow, learn, and build something meaningful together.
At The Robin’s Nook, we handcraft skin-loving bath products and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. I specialize in creating handmade soaps and skincare products using quality ingredients that are gentle on sensitive skin and thoughtfully designed to nourish and care for the body. Katie designs and handcrafts our jewelry, creating unique pieces that boost confidence and allow customers to express their personality through style. Every item we make reflects careful attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
Our work solves two important needs for our customers. First, we offer skincare products that people can feel good about using — products made with ingredients chosen intentionally for both effectiveness and comfort. Second, we provide distinctive jewelry that helps individuals express themselves with pieces that are truly one of a kind. We believe that when people feel confident in their skin and style, it positively impacts how they show up in the world.
What sets us apart is the personal connection we build with our customers. As a small, family-run business, we prioritize relationships over transactions. We take time to listen carefully to each person’s needs, offer samples when possible, and provide custom options without pressure. Our goal is to create a welcoming, friendly experience where customers feel valued and understood.
What I’m most proud of is the partnership my daughter and I have built and the community that has grown around our brand. Through markets, social media, and in-person connections, we’ve met incredible people and formed meaningful relationships. The Robin’s Nook is more than a business to us — it’s a creative outlet, a learning journey, and a way to serve others through products made with care.
For anyone discovering us for the first time, I want them to know that everything we create is made with intention, integrity, and heart. We are passionate about quality, creativity, and helping our customers feel confident and cared for. Whether someone connects with us online or meets us at a local market, we hope they experience the warmth and authenticity that define our brand.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

In December 2025, we had the opportunity to be a vendor at a huge local event called Deck The Chairs. This was an amazing opportunity because the mission of Deck The Chairs is to “promote children’s arts and arts education by showcasing creativity and talent through public/private collaboration.” We were honored to be invited to attend and help support their mission of promoting children’s art education. While vending there, we met so many wonderful customers.
Our favorite sales and marketing story happened right there at Deck The Chairs. A few ladies came into our booth and decided they wanted to come back with their husbands before making a final decision about which soap to purchase. When they returned, instead of just buying soap, they decided to have a little fun. They started by having one of the men close his eyes and smell a random bar of soap, then guess the scent.
I took a small marketing risk and asked if I could video their guessing game and share it on social media. To my surprise, they not only agreed, but each of them took turns closing their eyes, smelling different soaps, and guessing the scents. The ladies joined in too, and the entire booth filled with laughter. It was so much fun and created a moment that drew attention from other shoppers nearby.
They did purchase soap, but what stayed with me most was how much joy they found in the experience. I loved watching them enjoy the different scents and interact with our products in such a playful way. To thank them, I gave them a couple of small freebies. They sincerely made my day.
Sharing that video later on social media captured the spirit of our brand — connection, fun, and genuine customer interaction. Moments like that remind me that marketing isn’t just about making a sale; it’s about creating memorable experiences. Honestly, I would trade interactions like that for sales any day.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what has helped us build our reputation within our market is our focus on genuine connection and consistency. From the beginning, we’ve made it a priority to be present in our local community, show up consistently at markets and events, and create real relationships with the people we serve. We don’t see customers as transactions — we see them as individuals, and we take the time to listen carefully to their needs.

Offering samples has also been an important part of building trust. We want people to feel confident in what they’re purchasing, especially when it comes to skincare products. Allowing customers to try our products helps them experience the quality firsthand and shows that we stand behind what we create.

Another key factor has been our willingness to listen and adapt. Customer feedback plays a big role in how we grow and improve. By paying attention to what people are looking for and responding thoughtfully, we’re able to create products that truly serve our community.

Most importantly, we show up with authenticity. As a small, family-run business, we focus on kindness, honesty, and personal connection. Over time, those consistent actions have helped us build trust and a positive reputation within our market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therobinsnook.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therobinsnook/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRobinsNookLLC/