We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Sullivan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shannon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Soul Destiny Seven’s mission is deeply rooted in providing supportive, grounded spirituality practices and rituals. An avid gardener and proud plant parent, I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment for the plants I have grown. Developing a relationship with plants is not unlike developing a relationship with another person or animal – you must learn to communicate with one another to create a healthy, symbiotic relationship. This brought me, quite literally, to the Language of Flowers, also known as floriography. Floriography allows us to communicate emotions, desires, and intentions through the symbolism of plants and flowers, which I have integrated into all the products I’ve designed.
“Put more of yourself into what you grow” is SD7’s mantra. This statement beckons the reader to reflect upon what they are literally and figuratively growing – how do you tend to your garden of life? We are empowered to act as the creators of our reality and are actively manifesting our realities every moment of every day. All of our products use the inspiration of nature to nurture, for example, the seedling kits I’ve designed are intended to help individuals connect with their inner desires and goals through the act of caring for a plant from seed to fruition. Our growth as individuals is similar to growing anything from a seed; there must be darkness and a time of reflection in order for us to appreciate the light and abundance in our lives.
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?
“Jack of all trades, master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one” seems to be my mantra in life. The creation of Soul Destiny Seven has not been a linear path, then again, birthing anything into existence takes time, patience, and care. After graduating with a BFA in Photography and a minor in Art History from the Rhode Island School of Design (though many know it as RISD), I decided to “grow up” by pursuing a more pragmatic career path and have worked my way up the corporate ladder. I now work for a cutting-edge aerospace company as a contracts manager. While I recognize my talent and hard work have provided me with a rewarding career, I still felt something vital was missing from my life. Life, for me, is more meaningful when there is a healthy dose of reflection and introspection, and at a certain point, I realized that what I desire to see in the world does not yet exist. Therefore, it is my responsibility to bring it to fruition – that something being Soul Destiny Seven – which utilizes plants’ powerful symbolism and imagery to help nurture people’s growth journeys.
All of SD7’s products have been exclusively designed and created by me. My kits were borne out of a desire to help individuals connect more deeply with the natural world around them and within them. Truthfully, I also became frustrated with how abstract some self-help rituals and manifestation practices could be, and I wanted to provide something more tangible that could reflect one’s growth process. Creating meaningful change in life requires work, getting our hands dirty, and a bit of sacrifice – my products assist folks along that journey.
It’s also been important to me to design eco-conscious products that are attainable to anyone at any stage of life, regardless of whether they live in an apartment, rent out a room, or reside in a house with a yard. All that is needed is some sunlight and water at first – the kits include seeds, soil, biodegradable seed starting pots, and an informational pamphlet that provides planting and care instructions. For those who desire to create more of a ritual, Palo Santo and a crystal are also included – the crystal aligns with the energetic intention of each kit. SD7 also offers “Love Bombs,” heart-shaped seed bombs made of recycled paper products. Think of them like a friendship bracelet with nature – you keep the crystal and toss or crumble the seed bomb, sprinkling the promises of life wherever you may go.
A product I am wildly proud of designing and self-publishing is The Language of Houseplants, a 44-card oracle deck. Everything is black and white, featuring clean and simple designs printed on holographic paper. The holographic feature is intended to provide the reader with a slightly different perspective every time they pull a card – the light reflects differently, just a little bit each time. I’ve personally integrated this deck into my daily morning routine as a way to reflect upon the day ahead.
Soul Destiny Seven, as a brand, intends to inspire growth and change through the everyday magic of the natural world around us – it is more than a lifestyle, it is a way of life.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
I sell my products on my website as well as on Etsy. I have found that Etsy is incredibly helpful for creatives and those providing artisanal products – it is a platform that has built a deep sense of trust with its users over the years. In many ways, by selling my product on Etsy, I have already established a sense of trust with potential customers because they recognize and trust the Etsy brand name. This is incredibly helpful for those who are just starting out. As a seller, Etsy makes it easy to list, advertise, sell, and even ship. They provide various tools and resources that can help anyone streamline their small business operations.
Some of the downfalls I’ve experienced are the fees paid as a vendor on Etsy as they are a bit on the high side. Another important factor to consider is paying State Sales Tax, they collect it on your behalf, but you are responsible for filing it with each state you make a sale – it can be a bit confusing to navigate at times, but realistically, it is a challenge vendors have to navigate whether using Etsy or not.
Overall, I have had a pleasant experience using Etsy. I’d definitely recommend it to those who are looking to start their own small e-commerce-based business.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Soul Destiny Seven is a creative endeavor that offers products unlike that which is offered anywhere else – it’s for those who love plants just as much as it is for those who are invested in self-growth and spirituality. Figuring out who my audience is has been challenging – I am constantly employing new techniques and methodologies to gain exposure. I’m coming to learn that time and patience are your greatest teachers as a creative entrepreneur… it is a marathon, not a sprint.
Turning a passion project into a side business while working full-time in Corporate America is not for the faint of heart and I tip my hat to everyone else out there doing it. In my eyes, it is one of the most radical acts of resilience – to pursue your own dream after you are done working and navigating incredibly demanding and challenging environments for the majority of your waking hours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://souldestinyseven.com
- Instagram: @souldestinyseven
