Collaboration Can Refill Our Souls!

One of the best things about being an entrepreneur is that we get to ideate and create.  One of the biggest challenges is that it’s then usually down to ourselves to execute on these things, and this is where community is SO important.

Having recently spent quite a bit of time around other solo entrepreneurs, it’s clear that trying to do it all on your own is tough.  Really tough.  Learning new skills, juggling priorities, staying on top of everything, evaluating and pivoting, and overcoming challenges takes a lot of physical and mental energy

You’re likely already aware of how much connection and community are intricately woven into all that we do at Compassionart Creations.  Whether it’s supporting community events, donating products, or lifting others, it truly is core to our identity.  No surprise then, that when launching a whole new monthly “Being Better” challenge seemed a little daunting, we immediately sought out how we might make this a reality through collaboration.

Every community has many different opportunities to connect with others in business, from chambers of commerce to business development organizations, business improvement associations, non-profit service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Soroptimists), and networking groups (e.g., BNI).  In Kamloops, we are very fortunate to have not only a strong Chamber of Commerce and two active Business Improvement Associations, but we also have a powerhouse of a Marketing & PR Director with our North Shore BIA, who (along with everything else she does brilliantly) organizes a monthly ‘Ladies on the Shore’ meet-up.

It is so good, so fun, and this is where I connected with Deena Aspinall of Footprints Eco Store & Refillery.  She gave a superb 10 min presentation on her business at the January event, and after that, I reached out to ask if she would be interested in collaborating on this new Being Better Challenge if we focused it around Earth Day in April.

No hesitation, Deena said ‘YES’!

She immediately offered to provide a 15% discount to give to anyone participating in the challenge, and put me in touch with her team to figure out the details.  We put together a plan to encourage thought around “Being Better to Earth” - just little changes and tips that might help us to be better humans in the way we treat our home planet, and we also plotted to involve her store in our JoyQuest!

Had to check out all the products while I was there!  SO many gorgeous bath products! 

It all sounds so smooth, but the reality is that we were doing everything for the first time, and Deena was incredibly gracious with last-minute approvals on images, logo use, etc.  Although I popped up to the store to chat with her, a lot of what we needed to set up was done across emails, and I can’t say enough good things about her team, who were just as solution-oriented and collaborative when we weren’t sure if our edited launch post was approved for publication.

With another week to go, we haven’t had as much engagement on the challenge as I would have liked in terms of driving customers to Deena’s door (either in Kamloops or online), so I would LOVE you all to pitch in, share your tips, and use the generous discount she’s offering.  Don’t have time or ideas?  Just go and check out her Footprints Eco Store & Refillery at least!

Progress is often imperfect, but we have run our first “Being Better” Challenge out there, we did our best to lift another entrepreneur’s business in the process, and we found a new favourite dish soap along the way.  Being Better, being a better human, doesn’t have to be perfect.  It won’t ever be perfect, but it can be intentional, and in that intent, we can drive humanity and connection.

P.S. - I haven’t yet heard confirmation that it was found, but we were thrilled to be able to bring our April JoyQuest into Deena’s store, where we provided a fluid art pendant (made from a ‘Broken Earth’ of dried paint).  If you’re headed up there, it might be worth double-checking if it’s still waiting to find you!

No ziplock bag this time - Reusable container and recycled paper packaging!