Whitney Wagner, is the founder of Refill Emporium in St. Clair Shores, MI & she has such a great story to tell about how she & her best friend (shout out Shannon) started this local refill & zero waste store. Starting with 12 products that they toted from one farmers market or pop up to another while making products in house to growing tenfold within a few years, the brains behind Refill Emporium are truly filling a void in their community.Fueled by the belief that knowledge isn’t something to gatekeep, Whitney gives so much advice to anyone else interested in opening (or who already has opened) a refill store, all those small business owners out there, & all of us:Invest in a chemistry degreeManufacture your own unscented projects yourself if you can (it’ll give you some protection from the volatility of the rest of the world, give you more control over the ingredients, & will naturally provide a unique product that won’t be purchased anywhere else…um who doesn’t love an exclusive item??)Procure from local vendors if you can“Find a need. Fill a need.”Get to know your customers. Like, really get to know them. Share your knowledge. Build relationships. And then allow that word of mouth to spread like the wildfire (but, you know, the good kind of wildfire)Use transparency & your unique skills to your benefit! Let the people see how the sausage is made…or in her case, how the reusable paper towels are made. Offer high quality products. The ingredients make a difference. Don’t forget to take the time to explain why it makes such a difference. Knowledge is power, people. Get to know those that also have a similar business model & be respectful of the boundaries & the market. Are you an owner of a refill shop? If so, join the Zero Waste Refill Shop Facebook Groups with other owners and follow the Refill Collective on Instagram. Of course, we get into the importance of giving back to your community, both personally & professionally.Shout outs to:Hard Rock Stone Works in Sterling Heights, MIiCare of MichiganPam at GVST WellnessBYOC Co. in Ann ArborAndy at Yaya Maria’s Shelby Township Farmers MarketJJ's Feelin’ Wick’d CandlesMI-fillosophyCompany Mentions | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | TranscriptsWe love small businesses, local businesses, those run by underrepresented leaders, those supporting other businesses, folks making against the grain decisions, sustainable business, ethical businesses, businesses prioritizing quality and curated experiences, and businesses that encourage your to practice intentional consumerism.Between the Interviews | Bittersweet Paradox | Capitalism for Green | Company Mentions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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