Today I am joined by Sophie Marshall, founder of This Is Incense and its overarching company Gentle Habits. Sophie is an entrepreneurial powerhouse, with a lot of experience including a role in global product development at Rip Curl Group. It was here that she demonstrated her ability to execute ideas, bring to life innovations, dominating in a challenging environment.

Sophie's story begins in the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a busy working mom seeking a way to decelerate her life and find an equilibrium between being a professional and a nurturing parent. She developed rituals to ground herself in the chaos and was eventually inspired to turn them into a business, launching This IS Incense and the Gentle Habits brand.Valuing both mental health and sustainable living, her incredible journey serves as a beacon of success, inspiration, and resilience.

Sophie's extraordinary journey has not been without obstacles. However, her passion and determination have propelled her to success. She posits that embarking on a startup is akin to signing up for the hardest job you will ever do. But, with intense dedication and a love for your work, success is attainable.

Sophie doesn’t shy away from sharing her insights and learnings. Transparency and honesty are the heart of her business, something she recommends to everyone stepping into entrepreneurship.

She advises start-ups to:

- Set up a business correctly from the start, investing in branding and trademarks even when they seem costly initially.

- Make sure any product or idea is market viable through thorough research and testing.

- Invest in mentorship in every avenue (Bookkeeping, business coach, supplier help, etc.)

- Have a working side job until the new venture is viable to avoid potential financial stress.

She also encourages everyone to delve into the ‘dark art’ of digital marketing. In today's time, when most of the eyes are fixated on digital screens, having a unifying and consistent digital presence is essential for any business’s success.

Take a moment to get comfortable and tune in to an incredibly inspiring discussion about pursuing one's passions and dreams to create a business that not only achieves remarkable success but also brings immense fulfillment.

LINKS:

Connect with Sophie Marshall

Instagram: @thisisgentlehabits

Website: https://www.gentlehabits.com.au

Connect with Alana and Sonia:

Website: https://www.myfounderhub.com/

Instagram: @myfounderhub

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