11/20/2025
Sometimes when I am talking about my business, this culture is the thing that makes me most proud, even more proud than I am of my products. It’s hard to believe because I am pretty damn proud of my products.
I’m gonna be honest. As a maker founder of a small handcrafted skincare business and mother of 4, I occasionally think I should’ve just gotten a “real job”. Sure, I find it meaningful when people write reviews or contact us telling us how much our products have helped them or their family, but sometimes the stress and workload of being a small business owner in todays economy takes such a toll on me and on each member of my family that I question my own life choices pretty seriously.
I mean, seriously, I’m quite competent, I have 2 degrees and quite a few years of experience, I have free will and if I wanted I could still support my family doing something more…straightforward. Sometimes I fantasize about the steady paycheck, the benefits, the leaving work at workness that I a “real job” could entail. The part I take for granted is the fact that I have had the luxury and honor to curate a work culture that reflects my values. In this space, where each person has a different background, the people are honest, learn from each other, are kind to each other, offer each other emotional support when they need it and are happy to be here with each other. Like, they stay late to play cards after work, with each other, on purpose before they leave.
When I feel like quitting, the idea of taking this away from them is what stops me in my tracks and sends me back to work.
