Do you ever see a woman across the room and just think “Damn, she’s so cool.” That’s how I felt the first time I met Cassie at Crafcation in 2016. She’s tall and tatted and gorgeous and she’s got an awesome aura about her. I was excited when we sat down to chat at the conference, and I’ve been honored to work with her in a few different capacities over the ensuing years. Now I’m excited that you get to meet her, too!
Cassie Uhl of Zenned Out
LBC: What inspired you to take the leap as an entrepreneur?
Cassie: I was inspired to become an entrepreneur because I had an inner knowing that I would be able to make more of a difference running my own company. I’m also not great at taking direction from others!
LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Cassie: Zenned Out offers handcrafted jewelry and tools to support your soul’s purpose. Our books and oracle card deck help you go within to manifest your desires and find more zen in your day. Our spiritually centered jewelry offers daily reminders about how divinely guided you truly are.
LBC: Where can we find your products?
Cassie: You can find our products at Zenned Out and at these local stockists.
LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Cassie: I can’t say that this was something I really pondered when I first got started. My business has already gone through so many transformations that my idea of how it’s defined has certainly changed since I started. I think now my business is defined as a hub of spiritual knowledge and tools.
LBC: Walk us through a typical workday.
Cassie: After becoming a mom to twins last October, my workdays look a little different! More accurately, my workdays are shorter and more exhausting. I like to start every workday off by writing down my top three goals for the day. I find that helps me stay focused and more productive. On an average day, my three goals might look something like, outline a blog post, take and edit pictures for social media, and get a chapter of my next book completed and to my designer. There’s usually a fair amount of emailing and Instagraming thrown in the mix, too.
LBC: What are 3 things entrepreneurs should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Cassie: How do you want to feel? What can your business offer that will support how you want to feel? What kind of support do you need to run the kind of business that will make you feel the way you want to feel?
LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Cassie: Meditation and going for walks.
LBC: Tell us about the best business decision you’ve made to date.
Cassie: The best business decision I ever made was to move my business out of my house and into an office space. I’m not great at separating myself from my work. When my business was at home, I worked all the time. It wasn’t good for anyone or my business.
LBC: Please share one misstep or obstacle from your business experience. How did you bounce back or overcome it?
Cassie: Oh, there’s so, so many, it’s hard to pick just one! A big challenge I’ve faced revolve around the changes I’ve seen on Etsy. Etsy and Etsy Wholesale used to be our primary revenue stream. Over the last few years so much has changed on the Etsy platform and our profits have taken a huge hit. Sure I could blame it on SEO changes and the allowance of manufactured products on their site but instead of blaming I took action as soon as I noticed the shift. I started pouring all of my energy into our own blog and website. We have had some hard months during the transition, for sure, but if I didn’t start investing in my own website when I did I don’t think my business would still be standing.
LBC: What are 3 essential resources in your business toolbox that you can’t do without?
Cassie: I can’t do without regular meditation, having a business coach or mentor, and a support network of other femmpreneurs. Having a super supportive husband certainly doesn’t hurt either!
LBC: Imagine that we had a time machine. If we blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Cassie: In three years, I envision Zenned Out as an even more established resource for the spiritually curious. We will be offering more in-person gatherings and classes in our Arizona studio and have a more robust line of books and oracle cards.
LBC: How have your interactions with Lucky Break influenced your business?
Cassie: Lela and Lucky Break have been such an asset to my business! If you need a reminder that you’re a badass that can do anything you want, have a consult with Lela. She is great at offering praise where you rock and quickly assessing parts of your business that need some work. My work with Lucky Break has inspired me to be 100% devoted to my brand’s message.
LBC: What benefits have you seen from taking classes, working with a mentor, and/or building community around your business?
Cassie: I’ve found connecting with other like-minded entrepreneurs to be imperative to my own sanity and the success of my business. It’s too easy for me to get in my head about all things related to my business. Having the opportunity to hear from other entrepreneurs that they have the same struggles makes me feel less alone and more empowered.
LBC: What’s one thing you would eat if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?
Cassie: FRENCH FRIES all day, everyday.
LBC: Share one of your guiltiest pleasures.
Cassie: Expensive, handmade bath bombs. In a bath, of course. Mmmmmmm.
LBC: If you were given a million dollars, but you weren’t allowed to keep a single penny for yourself, friends or family, how would you give it away?
Cassie: I would give every penny to programs that support the arts in public school.
Thank you, Cassie, for sharing your talent with us. We absolutely love what you’re doing with Zenned Out, and we look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for you and your company. We’re cheering you on!
