There are just 3 more weeks until the 5th Annual RTP Mistletoe Market and we hope you are just as excited as we are! Seeing people grow with their passions is something we admire & encourage in RTP. If you are someone who has dreamed about being an entrepreneur for arts, crafts, food, or decorations there is plenty of inspiring advice below to help you get started!
Company: Earth-Kissed Beauty
Mastermind: Kristin Pridgen
Q: Give me a 3-sentence elevator pitch about your business.
A: Earth-Kissed Beauty was founded to combine my passion for clean living with my experience in public health. At the time, I was working full time as a health educator, while on the side, blogging about my holistic health journey. After learning of the limited amount of 100% clean personal care products and their higher price points, along with my graduate research on health effects related to socioeconomic status, I knew I could create something better for my personal use and for others. I founded Earth-Kissed Beauty to make clean and fresh skincare products available to the masses.
Q: What is your favorite holiday & why?
A: Christmas is at the top of my holiday list. It’s the one holiday where I enjoy a bit of tradition. For me, that includes celebrating the birth of Jesus, binge-watching A Christmas Story, eating delicious meals with my family, singing all the Christmas carols, and grabbing the first slice of my mom’s famous candy bar cake.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
A: Do not give up! The entrepreneurial world is big and scary, and it’s also filled with great opportunities for success, establishing a community, and living life on your own terms. The beautiful thing about entrepreneurship is that there is no one way to do it. If one way fails, pivot and try another option. Don’t give up. You totally got this!
Company: Berbeda, LLC
Mastermind: Brittany Schmell
Q: Give me a 3-sentence elevator pitch about your business.
A: Berbeda partners with social enterprises to bring you access to beautiful, ethically made goods. From accessories to home goods, our products are handmade by artisans around the globe who are provided fair wages, safe working conditions, and holistic care. Each purchase from Berbeda empowers at-risk women to change their circumstances and their communities.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A: I dreamed of being an entrepreneur ever since I can remember but I slowly gave up on that idea as I graduated from college and had no idea how I wanted to spend my time. Two years later I moved to Indonesia with my husband and it changed my life in so many ways. Berbeda became a dream while I was living in Indonesia and met the wonderful entrepreneurs that run House of Diamonds (the artisans that supply many of our products).
Q: Where do you see your business heading in the next few years?
A: In the next few years I hope to expand our product variety by partnering with additional ethical businesses, helping make a difference in more lives around the world while giving you easier access to beautiful, ethically made goods!
Company: Beautiful Chaos Mobile Boutique
Mastermind: Bethany Tyree
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A: After leaving the corporate world, I realized that I spent so much time commuting, working & caring for my family that I didn’t have an extra second for myself. The idea of being able to take something off a woman’s plate and help them to feel better about themselves was all it took to take this idea and run with it!
Q: Give me a 3-sentence elevator pitch about your business.
A: Beautiful Chaos Mobile Boutique is the ultimate (& unique) shopping experience. We combine the convenience factor, by coming to our customers to a customized styling session with a high level of customer attention while onboard our boutique on wheels. We strive to curate an assortment of women’s clothing & locally made jewelry that is unique to our style but yet are affordable, comfortable and totally on-trend. We pride ourselves in wandering the Triangle, from different breweries, lunchtime business festivals to private “sip & shops” at your home. Let’s get an event on the calendar for you!
Q: What piece of advice would you give to aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
A: Don’t stop at NO. You have to get a tough layer of skin when it comes to chasing a dream. Not everyone is going to tell you YES the first time.