The Introvert Entrepreneur with Catherine Robinson of Wildwood Aromas – Indie Business Podcast Episode 97

The Introvert Entrepreneur with Catherine Robinson of Wildwood Aromas – Indie Business Podcast Episode 97

Author: Donna Maria Coles Johnson November 17, 2023 Duration: 46:15

Welcome to Episode 97 of the Indie Business Podcast! I'm excited to introduce you to Catherine Robinson of Wildwood Aromas in Springfield, Missouri. A self-described introvert, Catherine started her business after she began making aromatherapy products for people who wanted to use essential oil blends to enhance their daily lives but didn't have, a reputable source to purchase them. She began making products for a small circle of friends and acquaintances, and word began to spread. Catherine quickly realized that she could help more people if she started to sell her products, so in 2019, she started Wildwood Aromas.

While it's not easy, Catherine loves leading her business. Her determination to help as many people as possible with her passion for customizing aromatherapy blends for health and wellness drives her to continue to put on her “big girl panties” every day to make it happen.

I can't wait for you to hear more about how Catherine works to improve herself and her business through consistently yet gently pushing herself forward. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my interview with Catherine NOW!

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Important Entrepreneurial Insights from Catherine

Let's unpack some of the most significant business insights Catherine and I discussed in this episode.

1. Suck it up, buttercup

As a self-described introvert, Catherine struggles to use social media to promote her business and put herself out there. At one point, she hired a coach to help her work through some personal issues so she could develop the confidence she felt she needed to meet this challenge. As Catherine shared, it's so easy to hide behind seemingly legitimate excuses to not reach our full potential and be everything we can be. I'm inspired by Catherine's determination to suck it up as she says, and overcome every limiting belief, and do the hard work to reach her full potential as the founder and leader of the Wildwood Aromas brand.

2. Newsletters produce sales

Catherine transparently shared that publishing newsletters on a consistent basis can be a challenge, but doing so always rewarded with either immediate sales or feedback from subscribers that eventually turns into sales. It is so rewarding to be able to trace your efforts directly to cash in your pocket. Newsletters nurture relationships and create sales opportunities. In nearly a quarter of a century of coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs, I have never come across anyone who can dispute that with any credibility, and Catherine's experience certainly bears this out.

3. Chunk it down

Catherine reminds us that any goal is achievable when you break it down into bite-sized pieces and attack it in chunks. Allow yourself to make small goals, she says, and when you hit those goals, allow yourself to feel really good about it. Consistently hitting small goals leads to consistently hitting larger goals. And while your goals may be smaller than other people's goals, stay focused on the fact that you are hitting your own goals and moving yourself forward. What matters is what you are doing and what progress you are making, not what anyone else is doing.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode

In this episode, Catherine and I mentioned the following resources.

  1. Learn more about Wildwood Aromas
  2. Follow Catherine on Instagram
  3. Learn more about the Indie Business Network – for American makers and artisan entrepreneurs
  4. Email marketing services: MailChimp, Mailerlite
  5. Aromatherapy training and certification: School for Aromatic Studies

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The post The Introvert Entrepreneur with Catherine Robinson of Wildwood Aromas – Indie Business Podcast Episode 97 appeared first on Indie Business Network®.


Donna Maria Coles Johnson hosts the Indie Business Podcast, a resource for creative entrepreneurs who build their livelihoods from their craft. This isn't about abstract theory; it's the tangible, often gritty reality of running a small business centered on handmade goods and independent making. Each episode features a conversation with an American maker who has navigated the unique challenges of turning passion into profit. You'll hear firsthand accounts of product development, marketing on a shoestring budget, the complexities of e-commerce, and the personal resilience required to persevere. The discussions go beyond simple success stories to explore the lessons learned from setbacks, the evolution of a brand, and the practical strategies that actually work in a crowded marketplace. Tune in for honest talk about sales, sourcing, work-life balance, and the community that sustains the indie business spirit. This podcast serves as both a compass and a companion for anyone on the path to building a sustainable, creative enterprise, offering actionable insights and genuine inspiration directly from the voices who are living it every day.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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