By: Reama Bubblez
Owner, Spread Supplies
Owning a business is one of those things I might never have done, had I heard people talk about how hard it is before I started.
Every single day, however, I am so glad I made the choice to jump into entrepreneurship!
In the 18 months since I opened Spread Supplies, my new and used art supplies store in Bremerton, I have attended countless business seminars, networking events, workshops, and presentations. The first few times I attended a business development event, I had no idea what to expect, who to talk to, or even how to introduce myself.
Starting at the ground level, I am learning all the steps in the process at the same time. I am grateful for all the support and mentorship I have received so far.
Business development events can feel intimidating, like they are for people further into their business journey, or for people who have a deeper knowledge of their business needs and trajectory. The suggestions can feel out of scale to my young store.
Questions I have about my immediate business needs often feel unanswered because responses are overwhelming—too large to implement. My biggest challenge is always feeling behind, while not having clarity on what my goals are and what milestones I should be looking for.
My store is tiny, but with mighty potential.
In some business spaces, it is hard to bare our business hearts to people that are so far removed from where we are. It can feel like business experts forgot what it is like to be in the early stages of growth. Relating to the speakers is a challenge and taking their advice to heart feels daunting.
The Firebrand Unconference feels like exactly what I need to make a smart next move. Why? Because being around business peers is invaluable.
I’m going into the Firebrand Unconference excited to share space with people that are facing similar challenges to me in the current moment: business owner peers who will understand my questions and relate to my perspective.
I am hopeful that they will be able to give me advice and knowledge that is relevant, not recalling things from years past. In the post-COVID business climate, I need current, timely information to make decisions.
In turn, I hope that I will relate to fellow attendees and be able to help them with their business problems. When we share and learn from one another, we grow together! That unity is strength.
I look forward to making business connections with other people who are in a similar place in our journeys: new business owners with huge hopes and dreams, the grit to get them done, and the passion to keep it lively.
I also look forward to heart-to-heart conversations about the struggles we face, creating a space where we can open up about what is hard and where we need support.
And, as always, I am eager to collaborate with others that have a passion for community and want to build a stronger Kitsap. See you there.
Reama is a graduate of the Matchstick Lab Microbusiness Accelerator – Cohort 1. Learn more about her story below.
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