We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Trudel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Shannon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
About 5 years ago I was working at a corporate job I didn’t love, dreaming of starting my own business for the freedom and flexibility I desired. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to have my own boutique but I thought I had to work at a corporate job for a long time to get the experience needed to run my own business. My husband was the one who encouraged me to start it and I’m so glad he did. If I could go back in time I would tell my younger self to start my business sooner, to go for it! The truth is, the best time to start is now, there will be a lot of things to figure out but you will figure them out.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Shannon and I am the owner of Salt & Wilde. Salt & Wilde is a women’s boutique providing a curated selection of clothing and accessories. Our feminine and romantic styles are easy to wear and we offer limited quantities to ensure the freshness of our collections. Our purpose is to make you feel beautiful and confident no matter what you wear. Our customers fall in love with our beautiful dresses, our fun beachy vibes and girly flare. We opened our very first store front in the Geneva Commons in May 2022. We love our little store and getting to meet our customers in person. It brings us so much joy to be part of their journey and making them feel confident and beautiful for special occasions or every day.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media is extremely important to grow an audience and customer base for your business. My advice is to pick one platform to start growing on and be consistent. We use Instagram currently as our main platform because we feel that is where our audience is. We created and use a social media plan that works for our business to steadily grow and increase our following. Each business is going to have a different plan and it takes some trial and error to figure out what works best for your audience. It is important to always engage with your audience and your target market that isn’t currently following you. In the beginning it is going to feel like a very slow start but I promise being consistent is the best way to grow. If you need help, I recommend hiring a social media manager who understands your business and can help you create plan and post consistently for you.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
One of the best things I did for my business was hire a coach. The best athletes in the world all have coaches and so should a business owner. What I love about a coach is they usually have a perspective different from everyone around you. They help you to see things differently, break down your numbers so you understand them and can help you build a plan for the future. It is important to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and will build you up not hold you back. Hiring a coach who is an expert in your industry is one of the best investments you can make in your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: saltandwilde.co (not .com)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandwilde/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandwilde
Image Credits
Em Noelle Photography (ig: https://www.instagram.com/emnoellephotography/)