87 | Creating and Selling a Product Based Business with Kelly Kussman

Mar 02, 2023

In this episode of the Digital Business Evolution Podcast, Jess is joined by Kelly Kussman. If you ever wanted to create a product based business this is an episode for you! Kelly started her career in fragrance as a buyer for a major department store where she fell in love with the nature of scents and their abilities to make memories tangible. After 20 years of working in the field and having 2 ectopic pregnancies Kelly realized life is so short and it's not  guaranteed so she started the Cayla Gray perfume collection. The Cayla Gray collection honors the beauty and heartbreak of Kelly’s bittersweet experience and is named after the first child she lost. Kelly has separated her business from traditional perfume practices by creating clean scents that are American made, ethically sourced, and fairly priced. 

Jess and Kelly go over the process behind making these perfume products, how to create great networks, how far ahead to plan for your inventory and so much more! 

As always, cheers to your evolution!

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn the difference between selling to retail and directly to consumers. 

  • Learn how to get your items in stores and at pop up events to create networks and sell!

  • Learn how to make an action plan for the year and not fall for the shiny object syndrome

Key Timestamps

  • [9:10] – Educating the public on Fragrance;
  • [14:02] – The process of making perfumes;
  • [20:00] – Should you have multiple manufactures;
  • [23:30] – Pop Up events and converting;
  • [27:50] – What does capitol look like for the business;
  • [39:55] – How far ahead are you planning;

Episode Quotes

  • “Self care is a deeply personal ritual that is really a self celebration.” - Kelly Kussman

  • “Scent is so closely tied together to memory. What is the ritual you want to create for your customers? What is the moment you are wanting to bring them back to every single time? What is the thing you want them to remember?” - Kelly Kussman

Episode Resources

Connect with Kelly Kussman

  1. Instagram: @KellywardKussman
  2. Website: https://caylagray.com/

Connect with Jess