Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Stevens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I became a social entrepreneur because life is short, and I wanted to put my life’s energy into something I believe in, something that’s bigger than myself. Ever since I was a child growing up on a sailboat on the bayou, I have felt a deep connection to the earth. I even designed the winning Earth Day T-shirt design at Conservancy Camp one year. When I finished college and was deciding what was next, I had this wild idea for The Refill Shoppe and couldn’t find anyone doing anything like it, so I decided to leap into entrepreneurship. And now, thirteen years in, I see how this path is so perfect for me because it combines my love of ideas and innovation with trying to make a difference for the planet’s future.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Ever-evolving & always innovating, The Refill Shoppe is an eco-awesome retail solution for the modern-day. Combining over 80 unique (and often custom scentable) bulk bath, body, home & beauty products with loads of vetted reusable swaps & cherry-picked bath products creates an authentic, approachable & enjoyable experience to help people live more sustainably.
The Refill Shoppe was designed in response to mounting issues relating to plastic pollution, overflowing landfills, and recycling expectations vs. realities; unfortunately, the list goes on and on. Single-use culture is destructively pervasive and has devastating impacts on our environments on every level and scale; we can’t just keep mindlessly consuming as the systems have been designed.
The Refill Shoppe has always been a leader in the space, founded in 2010, we paved the way for the newly blossoming zero-waste industry. From a simple ‘Ah ha’ moment, then a long road trip, to doing something no one was doing, searches for refills only led to printer ink, ha! We then continued to trailblaze by adding online refills and figuring out how to practically ship/offer biodegradable or refillable pouches to everyone in the USA, Canada & Mexico with our innovative Sudscription™ program. Custom-scented, zero-waste refills delivered right to your door!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In entrepreneurship, I really think a range of skills, from the minute and surprising to the obsessively studied, can all be meaningful and impactful in our journeys if we pay attention. This includes learning how to manage and exceed expectations as a hostess or how to manage a crowd during a bustling intermission bartending at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, cummerbund, and all, haha.
But if I really have to pick three, the words that currently come to mind are resilience, people skills, and curiosity.
As for advice, I would like to start by encouraging you to give Baz Lurhman’s delightful departure from directing ‘Wear Sunscreen’ as I often quote his lyrics about advice before dispensing any: but anyway, here goes.
There is nothing quite like bringing your own ideas to life. The trick is to do so in a way that is both sustainable and profitable. Start small, where you are, and really flush it all out. Details are paramount. From there, grow smart, let your successes lead the way, and be sure you are learning absolutely everything you can. Others will help you along. There is no shame in asking for help or admitting what you do not yet know. Above all, listen to yourself, trust yourself, and believe in yourself—you’ve got this!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling overwhelmed is just part of life, I suppose, although I’m actively trying not to let that be true. I am feeling overwhelmed at this very moment as I write this response to help improve our SEO at 9:12 p.m. on a Friday, as I am traveling to NYC on Sunday and trying to wrap up loose ends, lol. Please, send help, (mostly) kidding.
Seriously though, there is never enough time in a day, days in a month, months in a year, or years in a lifetime, and that’s something we all have to accept. I say, lean in, use the overwhelm as motivation to sit, focus, and get the things you need and (hopefully) want to get done.
My other advice is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing! Napping, resting, nature, ridiculously long hot bubble baths, whatever it is that recharges you I can’t recommend enough. We are human beings, not work machines; we are meant to frolic and celebrate and connect with other delightful creatures, so please give yourself breaks, treats, snacks, moments of pure joy, and all the self-love you deserve. Life is short; find the balance that works for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therefillshoppe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therefillshoppe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therefillshoppe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/33156439
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRefillShoppe
Image Credits
I created or have the rights to all photos.
