Episode 10 - Starting Before You are Ready & Adapting to Change with Courtney Peters of Supercrush

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE:

Tune into this episode to learn about Courtney Peters, from Supercrush, the hair accessory brand co-founded with her mum. Hear how she accidentally got into the wonderful and rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Courtney has gone through many seasons of change and as a result has had to fine-tune her adaptability skills.

Key Takeaways:

  • Her corporate and entrepreneurial journey from a non-profit to entrepreneurship. 

  • Accidental start – craft project with some friends that got posted on Instagram with many positive reviews

  • How Danielle’s encouragement led her to launch the business and present it at a Seattle Business Babes event. 

  • Started with orders on Instagram DM with local pick up. Within 5 days, realized that a website was needed. 

  • From side hustle for a year and a half to full-time with 15 employees with full-time sewers and admin support.

  • Courtney’s story is proof that you don’t need anything perfectly planned with a business plan and website to launch a successful business.

  • How COVID affected their business: 

    • The wholesale side of the business was affected, with salons and boutiques not placing orders. 

    • On-boarding employees virtually was a huge challenge and learning experience. 

    • Face masks have been added to the product offerings – one of the first to create as they already had the materials to do so.

      • Fundraiser connected to face mask sales - $5 to Union Gospel Mission (UGM)

  • The biggest challenges of entrepreneurship according to Courtney:

    • Balancing competing priorities in business and in life, taking care of yourself and not working 100% of the time

    • High expectations and standards – learning to be content 

    • Legal issues with the former name of the business (Bun Head), trademark law is important!

  • Re-branding process:

    • Now trademarked in Canada and U.S., new website, name, and so much more

    • Supercrush was launched one year ago, got an enthusiastic response with new name

  • Courtney’s advice for new product-based businesses:

    • Be in contact with other entrepreneurs – community is everything and really helps in these COVID weird times!

    • Invest in or become a good photographer – images matter

    • Courtney’s Mum advice – Realize that the moment of absolute certainty will never arrive, especially when deciding to leave a 9-5 or launching a new product.

    • Commit to always moving forward

  • What Courtney is most proud of:

    • The community created around the Supercrush customers (the Supercrush squad), staff, retailers, a team of sewers

    • Learning to make face masks on Zoom

    • The partnership between Courtney and her mum, and how having a partner who has opposite strengths compared to you is really beneficial. 

Show Notes:

Danielle Wiebe