20 Questions with… The Salty Style

I may be a bit biased with this one but Kayla from The Salty Style has been putting in all the hours to get her side hustle off the ground and she is building on her success day by day! Kayla stocks a beautiful selection of clothing, jewellery, homewares and accessories with a coastal relaxed feel. I love working with local brands and The Salty Style is a great example of how you can start a side hustle whilst still working a 9 to 5 job.

Want to learn about her amazing journey? Read on!

• WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?

  The Salty Style - Retail

• HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?

  1.5 years

• WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

  I always saw myself and loved the idea of being a stay at home mum with a kickarse business I can run from home or open a shop. I have a natural quirk for everything fashion and design so starting my own business and knowing what I wanted to sell and create was quite a simple descion for me!

• DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?

  Yes! I work 4-5 days a week at Service SA and work on my side hustle at night, in-between lunch breaks and on weekends!

• WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?

  Good quality branding and packaging.

• DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?: 

  Yes, Courtney from The Visual Collective created a logo for us, as well as a brand new website. We also worked with Courtney to create our own branding for our tees and hoodies.

• IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?

  I really try not to dwell on the things that haven't turned out so successful as there is noway of changing those decsions. However, starting a small business with no business background did make for lots of mistakes and errors. Choosing stock that didn't sell well is probably something I do regret and dwell on.

• WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

  The freedom to create and put out in the world whatever I want. I have the ability to push my sucess and create a business I LOVE! Being my own boss and not having to answer to anyone really has its perks too!

• WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

  Although being my own boss is one of the best things about owning a small business, its also the hardest. Having to keep yourself accountable for your own success is difficult. The only person who can make you keep pushing through is yourself and keeping yourself motivated is hard! Doubting my ability to succeed with my small business is also a difficult aspect I deal with most days.

• WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?

  It won't be easy, but do your research and find out everything you will need to know before starting out! But also just start! You will always have mistakes but you can only learn from them!

• WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?

  Posting lots on social media is one of the most effective ways to get your name out there. If you're not in peoples faces, you will be forgotten. Also Markets and Pop up shops are great!

• IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?

  I think I've always know the type of vibe I wanted to create with my small business. However, I really love @hellotrader and their beautiful aesthetic.

• WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?

  I know everybody says it but.. Just Start! If you don't start now and doubt yourself you'll never start and get to where you want to be!

• WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

  I generally wake up quite early, pack orders, have my avo and vegemite on toast with a coffee and head to my 9-5 job. In-between lunch breaks I reply and check my emails and after work I do the same. I try to switch off from all things work around 9 and get my beauty sleep (gosh I need it! haha) Then do it all again the next day!

• HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?

  I've been busy! But I can finally see after years of not knowing, where I want to head in life. I now have my dreams I am slowly but surely working towards and it gives me something to strive for! I feel hope and happiness with what the next few years has to bring!

• WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?

  With a shop in my hometown of Port Lincoln!

• BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?: 

  I find giveaways help alot with growing your followers. Putting yourself out there and not being scared on what people will think is a major aspect. Get your friends and family to share the word around and in no time you will have a following behind you!

• ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:

• HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?: 

  I LOVE Netflix! I find I relax and recharge with a good session of Netflix in bed and a coffee or wine in hand!

• ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?: 

  Well.. This year while we can't go overseas I am really hoping to have a getaway to NSW or QLD. Once we can travel overseas again, I would love to visit Bali for a relaxing getaway!

  insta: @thesaltystyle_ thesaltystyle.com.au