Before starting Sola, I was an elementary school teacher, as I have shared before. I left teaching after my dad passed away, realizing it no longer brought me the joy it once did. I ventured into small business life, uncertain if I would succeed but knowing I could return to teaching if it didn’t. Those of you familiar with small business life likely understand the challenges, though we often keep the full picture to ourselves. A few years ago, I even considered going back to teaching because of the unpredictability—costs are rising, and paychecks are inconsistent. One month can be great, and the next, not so much. The only constant seems to be the inconsistency.
For the past year, I’ve been ruminating about my future, and I finally feel ready to share that I went back to school in January to pursue a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Balancing school at the age of 48, running Sola, and family life have been a lot, and I’ve felt like I’ve been keeping a secret from you all, but have felt vulnerable about sharing until now.
Sales have been declining since 2019, and it has been tough. I’ve been hanging in there and hoping things just magically get better, but they haven’t, which has brought up a lot of feelings. I’ve felt disappointment, failure, and confusion about the future of Sola. But then I get these wonderfully supportive emails and reviews from customers which remind me why I started. The truth is, I don’t know what will happen. Though I’m not planning to close Sola, I’ve made some difficult decisions, like phasing out slower-moving products such as unscented lip balm and Craft Series body oils, which will not be returning once my bottle supply is gone. It’s all part of adjusting to the realities of business.
I’m sharing this update for two reasons. First, to let you know I’m navigating a career transition, though it's still a few years away. I don’t plan to close Sola, and who knows—Lila, my 12-year-old, has even offered to take over! Second, I’m asking for your support. If you need to restock or buy gifts, now is a great time. If you don’t have the budget (trust me, I get it!), liking, commenting, or sharing on Facebook or Instagram is also a huge help. Personal referrals are priceless for small businesses.
This has been hard to share, but I know I can handle hard things. I’m back in school at 48! Sharing about the struggles of running a small business feels vulnerable and scary, but also brave. I’m optimistic things will be okay, and writing this feels like a big relief. Thank you to everyone who supported Sola at some point along the way, whether you’ve been with Sola for years or just discovered us. While Sola is facing challenges, I’m still proud of what I’ve built and eternally grateful for the support.
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