Female Feature Friday: Holly Sweetman of Gumption
We are back at it, bringing you another Female Feature Friday. We are so excited to be sharing a new amazing Girl Boss every week. The inspiration behind this series was to highlight the brilliant women running small businesses in an effort to inspire other women to bring their talents to the table. We can do it all, ladies!
We love the work that online boutique Gumption is doing! Their founder, Holly Sweetman, has curated her boutique to perfection, with spotlighting female businesses as one of her many goals. We are so happy to share her story!
LET’S GET DOWN TO (SMALL) BUSINESS:
Name and Occupation:
Holly Sweetman, Owner of the online women’s boutique Gumption!
Briefly describe your business:
Gumption is an online shop that does curated collections of products from some of the best small businesses. All products are by companies that must fall under atleast one of these four qualities: female owned, American made, have a purpose/cause or ethically sourced.
On top of that, it is fun! Gumption is all about spunk and tenacity. A brand that embodies helping a women feel bold, strong and courageous while also looking good and supporting good.
How did Gumption come about and what were you doing before its creation?
Gumption came about from my love of fashion but also a deep desire to support small businesses. I found it really hard to find good quality, yet affordable small businesses online. I really wanted to create a space that took the hunting out of it for fellow shoppers like me who really wanted to shop small but was only finding the shops out there that were way over my price range or poor quality.
What is your favorite thing about running a clothing and accessories business?
I love finding these amazing gems of women out there who are creating beautiful goods! I find such joy in supporting people, plus finding businesses whose pieces make women feel beautiful and special is the cherry on top! I am also a huge advocate for ethically and sustainably made clothing, because fast fashion is such an issue that many don’t even realize. So being able to highlight these small businesses that are trying to make a change that betters the world means alot to me.
Can you tell us more about the Gumption Secret Society?
Everyone wants to be apart of a secret club right? I know I always wanted to be growing up! The Gumption Secret Society is my fun way to create that for my fellow babes online as well as in person! Being apart of the society gains you access to a secret sale page that is password protected on the Gumption site. There is also Gumption events that only those in the society will know about & get invites too.
Why is small business so important to you?
I love the underdog and I love the American Dream! I have always been so passionate about supporting those two things and I feel like small business is the epitome of that. There is something about being able to directly support someones art and dream. To know that buying their products help them pay their bills and help them be a flourishing person in their community. I love that!!
What motivates you to keep going on the less than awesome days?
I force myself to go back to a place of gratitude. I go back to the beginning and I remind myself why I started this. No one ever said that being a business owner was going to be easy but at the end of the day I get to create a business I believe in, one that gets to help others and make women feel beautiful in their skin.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own business?
Two things - First, you will never feel ready. If you wait for the “opportune” time… it will never happen. As soon as you realize that all the other business owners also feel like they don’t know what they are doing, the more normal you realize you are. So don’t wait until you know it all, because you never will.
Second, reach out to people! The amount of small business owners in other arenas (marketing, financing, advertising, ect…) that I have meet and just asked to buy them a coffee while I ask them a few questions, is astounding. For the most part, other small businesses want to help other small businesses. So don’t hesitate to email, tweet, text or DM another business owner.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made and what/how did you learn from it?
My first event I did, I completely forgot to take into account sales tax at checkout, so I had to eat all that cost. Financial lesson learned and I won’t do that again, haha.
Who have you looked to for advice and mentorship?
I am so blessed to be married to a great business man who is also a developer. So he has been a HUGE asset in my business planning, budgeting & helping build my website. I have also leaned greatly on two of my best friends who have been my sounding board on sooo many things. Between the two of them they have heaps of experience in product development, marketing & writing copy. I also have a great network of friends who range from PR to accountants, so I have been able to pick their brains, which has been a huge help!
What does it mean to you to be a woman in small business?
I am so grateful to be a female business owner! I get to show my daughters that daddy is strong and brave and helps make the world a better place through his business, but so does mommy! It is not just a daddy thing :)
What’s next for Gumption?
Wow, that is a short question with a big answer! I just launched Gumption a few months ago, so I am laser focused now on growing my brand awareness and cultivating the fun and inclusive culture of Gumption for now. There are plenty of plans for the future with events, products and more, but for now I am taking it a step at a time.
LET’S GET THE SKINNY ON NASHVILLE:
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO NASHVILLE?
My husband and I were ready for a change. We were married for 5 years and we were ready to venture out on our own. We lived in Atlanta where all of our families lived at the time, so heading to Nashville was close enough, yet far enough, to start our own story and adventure. We had some dear friends move and they asked us to come along, so we hopped on board!
BEST BURGER IN NASHVILLE?
The Ramsey Pimento & Cheese Burger at Burger Up.
FAVORITE MARG IN NASHVILLE?
Rosepepper Cantina.
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP IN NASHVILLE?
Frothy Monkey (51st Location).
FAVORITE PLACE TO FIND LIVE MUSIC IN NASHVILLE?
Live on the Green events.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A BUSINESS OWNER IN NASHVILLE?
Nashville is a very supportive city for artists and small businesses! On the whole, it is a pretty welcoming city and a lot of people genuinely want you to succeed and want to support you.
TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVORITE NASHVILLE SMALL BUSINESSES.
(All Female Owned)
Glen & Effie.
Poppy & Monroe.
Minnie Lane.
WANT MORE #GIRLBOSS INSPIRATION?
Be sure to check out our interviews with:
Melissa Ice of The Worthy Co / The Net
Marcie Finney Ditto of Mustard Seed Jewelry
Mandy Gleason of Replica Surfaces
And my personal journey with Sip Dine Design