Journeying #21 with Sheelin Conlon of The Kind Ethical Lifestyle Store

My guest today is entrepreneur Sheelin Conlon of The Kind Ethical Lifestyle Store. I was an admirer of The Kind brand before realising it was the lovely Sheelin behind this new sustainability store. We had shared an office in a previous life, both starting on a Ph.D. doctoral research journey over a decade ago. Our paths diverted as Sheelin chose a creative direction into digital advertising before going the entrepreneurial route, setting up The Kind in 2018.  I was so keen to chat with her and hear how the store came to be. She was so busy before Christmas that we had to postpone our chat, but I am so glad to share her story here today. I believe there will be a need for people to create their own business opportunities and revive the retail scene in the coming years. Both on account of COVID-19, and the need to build more sustainable and ethical alternatives. And so I was grateful that Sheelin was willing to share the highs and the lows of starting out in business. She shares honest and practical advice that may well encourage any aspiring entrepreneurs listening in, to take the brave next step and just go for it! 

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Female Entrepreneurship
• Pivoting in business - listening to your consumer's needs and wants
• The practicalities of investing in your business idea
• The necessity of Instagram and other social media tools for online retail - substitute for the in-store experience and personal relationship with customers 
• Personal Branding 
• The perils of shelving in retail! 
• Storytelling - sharing 'behind the scenes' in retail - gives personality to the brand 
• Customer feedback & reviews are key
• Finding 'the right' business -  a series of ideas before The Kind came to be
• The pitfalls of an entrepreneur
• 'Search Inside Yourself' 
• Asking yourself, 'What is my passion?' 
• Local Enterprise Office supports and mentors 
• Offering mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs 
• Growth Mindset and The Entrepreneur 
• Virtual Workshops & Events: building The Kind community 
• "Career satisfaction doesn't come from what you do, it comes from who you get to be when you do it" 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Search Inside Yourself: https://siyli.org/about
Local Enterprise Office: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/
Tony Robbins: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

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