20 Questions with… Courtney & The Babes
What first drew me to this amazing biz was not just that we share a name but her awesome branding of essential oils. Her muted colour palette and amazing website really caught my eye. Courtney created Courtney and the Babes in 2014. It began as an online store for her art and occasionally sharing her essential oil knowledge on her blog. Spreading the essential oil love lead to offering her handmade Roller Blends to friends and customers alike.
Want to learn about her amazing journey? Read on!
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?
Courtney + Babes - Natural beauty & wellness products to promote self-care.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?
6 years
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I needed to find myself again, I was craving creativity.
DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?
C+B is my full-time gig, aside from being a mama. I quit my last job when I fell pregnant with my first son.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Graphic Design! I have a pretty clear vision and vibe for my brand but using a Graphic Designer to bring it all together, from website design, logo, labels, creative content.
DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?:
No it took me a few years to get that ball rolling, I did all my own label design on my MacBook (I cringe a little bit thinking about this haha). But I managed to get people's attention and begin the journey of creating a following.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
I honestly can't think of anything I regret... Perhaps rushing product development because I'm impatient and want it to all happen quickly. Good things can take time.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I love the connection with my customers, they're comfortable coming to me for help and I'm able to provide a natural alternative that promotes self love. And we ALL need that!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
The quiet periods. When sales drop and the bank account dips. Running a small business and being 100% dependent on it financially can be very stressful. And understanding and accepting that not everything is going to work, we make mistakes, we try to fix them or move on and try something different.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?
That it's not cheap to start up, maintain and do it properly!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?
If it weren't for Instagram I wouldn't have a business.
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?
When I was first introduced to essential oils I started creating my own wellness blends to aid our emotional and physical issues. This then turned into friends and family, I created my own website and business Instagram account and started sharing my blends. It took time but slowly the word spread and other businesses reached out to stock the range.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?
Write all your ideas down, make short/long term to-do lists, don't rush it. Create a mood board for the vibe you'd like to represent your brand and find yourself a talented Graphic Designer to help bring it together online.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Stretch followed by coffee and 15 minutes to myself outside. School drop-off. Work from home in the studio whilst tending to my littlest Lily. School pickup. A park hang or we'll visit the grandparents. Dinner, play, chill, kids to bed. Mama time which normally means Netflix, fold washing or straight to bed!
HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?
I'm so busy!
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
I'm a little unsure to be honest. Since Covid hit, the vibe has changed a little which is concerning. People are mindful of what they are spending (rightfully so!) but sadly it's affecting small businesses. It's really stuffed up people's lives. I believe I need to grow and evolve the brand with what people need. Courtney + Babe's is about offering self-care/love in a natural form, whatever that may be.
BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?:
Good content, consistency, hashtags, aesthetics is SO important. And I hate to admit it but, influencers sharing your business and product always helps spread the word.
ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:
Don't put too much pressure on yourself, it's already stressful times. Don't force ideas if you get stuck, come back to it later. Be prepared for peaks and lows. It takes time. Spend money in the right places.
HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?:
Walking, sleeping, reading, listening to my favourite podcasts.
ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?:
Sydney ha! I'm dying to visit my girlfriends. I wouldn't mind Bali too.
insta: @courtneyandthebabes courtneyandthebabes.com
