Episode 164 // Michelle Hamilton of Dandelion Naturals
On today podcast episode we're with Michelle Hamilton of Dandelion Naturals in Hayfield, Minnesota (pop. 1,340). After 21 years in nursing, Michelle took a leap of faith two years ago and started making all natural soap and selling at farmer's markets. This business that started in her kitchen has now grown into an extensive product line and its own main street commercial building. We're talking about how she's managed growth in a business that has exploded almost overnight, the importance of being passionate about what you do, keeping the right mindset, and more.
It's mind-blowing how quickly this business has grown and we couldn't be happier for Michelle and her family. It's going to be fun to see their new building come to life as a storefront, too, so be sure to go give Dandelion Naturals a follow to see this come together.
And if you're looking for a great Christmas gift, Dandelion Naturals has so many great all natural gifts! You'll find this and other ideas on our Rural Makers + Creators Gift Guide.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this. We don’t have experience in small business ownership. This kind of has taken on a mind of its own, and we’re just trying to keep up with it and trying to figure out how to scale up and be more efficient and just keep up with it.”
- Michelle Hamilton
“We’ve done a ton of markets. I think that’s been a key to our success is in-person market. I felt like that was our boots on the ground in getting our product out there, talking to customers, interacting with them. The smell of our soaps are very different. We only use essential oils and that draws people in and it starts a conversation about why our soaps are different, why they’re natural, and what makes them natural.”
- Michelle Hamilton
“If you don’t make mistakes you’re not gonna succeed. I expected to make mistakes and I have made mistakes. And it’s ok. You just gotta keep moving forward and try to refigure, ok this isn’t working, what could we try now. And just keep moving foward and believe in what you’re doing. I feel like you really gotta be super passionate about what you’re doing.”
- Michelle Hamilton
“I don’t know why I had these ideas or where they came from but I just knew we needed for an online presence to have a stellar website and stellar branding.”
- Michelle Hamilton
“I have created literally everything from the ground up for this business. So it was kind of a vulnerable spot for me to just kind of give some of that over. But I knew if I didn’t I would not be able to continue to grow. ”
- Michelle Hamilton
PODCAST SHOW NOTES AND LINKS:
Hayfield, Minnesota
Marigold Days
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