Meet Audreon Babb

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Audreon Babb a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Audreon, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Often, I have doubted my own abilities thinking I didn’t belong in a certain setting or couldn’t achieve what I wanted. But I’ve overcome this by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Whether it was applying and securing a recognition I didn’t think I was qualified for, quitting my job in the middle of the pandemic to launch my business, or volunteering in an unknown setting, every experience has taught me to trust myself and God a little more each time. I have found that I do well and even enjoy myself when in these situations. As a result, I feel less like an imposter and more like I am right where I belong.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I own and operate a small business called Pawfee Pups. We make and sell pet treats and supplements. I officially launched Pawfee Pups in 2020 and since then, it’s been a special opportunity to mix some of the things that I enjoy – those are my love for animals, baking, and creativity. My goal when I launched the brand was to create a healthy alternative to the heavily processed treats that we typically see being sold in stores. I use very few natural ingredients in all my products, so pets not only enjoy them, but they benefit from them as well. My own dog, Bemiss, has had his fair share of stomach issues and is the inspiration for the brand’s mission – many of my fellow dog owners will understand! I have met so many pet owners that are thankful that brands like Pawfee Pups exist and I appreciate all the feedback that I have received over the years. There are times when I’ve been positively overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I’ve received from customers and plan to keep improving and expanding. So, as for what’s next, I look to launch additional product offerings including a skin and coat supplement and cat toys and treats. We do usually participate as a vendor in local events in and around the Denver area as well. Anyone can check out the Pawfee Pups website to see where we will pop up next!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

So far, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful on this journey have been my resourcefulness, creativity, and marketing knowledge. I took advantage of lots of resources when launching my business and continue to do so today. There were so many free or cheap courses and webinars that helped get me started in many aspects of business including registration and licensing, sales tax, trademarking, and cash flow management. Creativity was always needed when producing a new product that I felt was representative of the Pawfee Pups mission. My marketing background was very useful as I already had an idea of what direction I wanted to go with the brand appearance and had an easier time with things like setting up my website and email marketing campaigns. Despite having impactful skills, owning your own business is a never-ending cycle of absorbing information – I’m learning something new all the time, especially in the areas where I don’t already have experience. My advice to anyone early in the journey of starting your business is to lean on any resources you have available to help you. Use the connections you have that are operating in similar spaces as you’d like to enter. Take advantage of the free classes or apply for funding that’s available to you. People that have the experience are usually very willing to help others expand their knowledge in any area they need help in.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The number one challenge I have right now is balancing all aspects of life in addition to being a business owner. I currently have a full-time job and carry out any Pawfee Pups related duties outside of my regular work hours. At times, it has been a challenge to maintain equal effort in my business. A few years ago, I burnt myself out working 7 days a week – I worked my full-time job Monday through Friday then attended Pawfee Pups events each Saturday and Sunday. The following year, I spent most of my time helping my parents after my mom’s diagnosis – she is now cancer free! I was honestly not prioritizing my business like I wanted to. I’m resolving this by allowing myself to be human. I’m accepting that I may not always be able to do everything I want, while also allowing myself the time I need to refresh, have fun, and return to my full effort when I feel I can do so.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Selina Emahatsion
Stacy Mouw
Andre Bowman

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