Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.

Today’s entrepreneur is Karen Palmer of Eco Angels.

When and why did you start your business?

I started my business 10 years ago because I am a loving mother who noticed public schools do not have environmental education in their curriculum. I began my non-profit organization and founded the first Earth Day Celebration in our area. Two years ago, I left my job of 18 years to follow my heart and intuition to expand my business to include pet care services and became a dog trainer. I wanted to help shelter animals and wrote and published my book, “Dogs are gifts from God” it is now a best seller in animal rights. I wanted to help educate about how we can create a No-Kill Nation and have a great online radio show.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

I love helping people and pets discover the magic inside them. I am honored to be a voice for the voiceless and speak on behalf of abused animals, children, and women suffering from domestic abuse. I am passionate about helping others create their dream life because I created my own and love to share the success principles that changed my life.

Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?

I am inspired by everything in this world and beyond. I am a yoga instructor and have incorporated all my spiritual gifts to help people and their pets connect to their divine assignment. I believe animals teach us spiritual life lessons such as, unconditional love, forgiveness, living in the moment, and spreading joy. I know that if each human learned these lessons we will transform the planet.

What is your biggest success or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your business?

My online radio show shines a light on animal rescue organizations and we have over 30,000 listeners and the people really care. I only started the radio show in August 2012 it makes me so happy that people are really understanding our pets can be our greatest spiritual teachers.

Where do you see your company in three years?

I am writing a children’s book series on animal rescue beginning with the problems with Puppy Mills. I am the national spokesperson for www.thepuppymillproject.org and hope to have my board games and books in public schools nation-wide.

What is one thing you wish you knew about being an entrepreneur when you first started out?

How to do marketing and sales. I wish I understood internet marketing and blogging better too.

If you like this interview, Like Positively Pets on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.

Today’s entrepreneur is Andrea Ford of RE:Style Studio.

When and why did you start your business?

I’m a former home editor and stylist in Toronto and I turned to revamping antiques when deadlines kept me at my desk and I needed some concrete art therapy to bring my fashion and home experiences together. In 2009/10, editor friends started writing about my pieces and inspired boutiques to start selling them. I dreamed of a studio space for client meetings, creating my own collection of remade antiques and possibly teaching a new style of upholstery workshops so the hunt began. In August of 2010 that came to fruition and I found the perfect space to house everything. I started the work of a full reno to the industrial space and it now has become a hub for modern upholstery and workshops.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

I love that I’ve been able to combine a unique skill set into a livelihood for myself. I was once told that I had to choose between fashion and home design/decor but in my own business I can get my passion across for all style, all the time. It’s also pretty awesome to be able to have my dog Massi at work with me everyday.

Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?

I’m inspired by everything from shopping at Target, to amazing design bloggers I follow to sets I see on TV. Sometimes furniture inspiration comes to me in my pre-sleep dozing and sometimes it’s a colour combination from a pile of laundry.

What is your biggest success or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your business?

I’ve been incredibly proud of the growth I’ve seen over the past year. A year ago there were tumble weeds rolling through the studio and now workshops are selling out consistently. It’s also been really reassuring to see and hear people’s reactions when they hear about my studio and see my work at shows such as the One of a Kind Show last November. Peoples’ faces light up and they get so excited about learning to reupholster their own furniture as well as the style I bring to my Collection pieces.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs when they are first starting out?

Start with a clear path and don’t be afraid to say no. I’ve really refined my offerings and focused on upholstery, workshops and furniture because it’s what I love to do and do well. I tried to be too much to too many people at first and it only distracted from my vision.

Where do you see your company in three years?

I hope to grow my business into a destination for modern upholstery and furniture. I’d love to run my workshops every weekend and once a week with a team of instructors and have a plan for more locations.

If you like this interview, Like RE:Style Studio on Facebook and follow Andrea Ford on Twitter.

Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.

Today’s entrepreneur is Bambang P Eryanto of Sensatiocraft.

When and why did you start your business?

I started trying 5 years ago, after I started to get bored with the routine as workers.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

Being a businessman makes me more kreative untrammeled environmental and human influences, my energy is much more useful to become entrepreneur.

Describe your business in 20 words or less.

Background
A lot of used drinking bottles are scattered around us, ironically bottles sold are relatively still in good condition,when placed in Council recycling bins. Unfortunately many bad bottles are dumped on the ground, or thrown by the roads or into waterways. What are the consequences ? Yes, environmental pollution. Most plastic need hundreds of years to decompose in the landfill. So, increasingly many plastic pollution in our environment damaging our soil and killing our fish and wildlife.

Purpose
By empowering human resources we can process waste plastic bottles into a more functional art. For example, right now a lot of crystal lamps are widely sold in the market come from other countries, the price is also expensive with mediocre quality.
The above reasons, my business strong building.

Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?

I inspired watching our surroundings filled with discarded items, such as household stuff thrown away but still good and still serve it, they get tired of it. Seeing this, I want them to be able to live frugally, by empowering them to make longer functioning or in other, more artistic, might as well educate to reduce plastic pollution.

What is your biggest success or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your business?

I got Design Award from reputable Architec magazine, Skala+ Design Award 2011 -CATCLOCK-The Most Innovative Product Use Recycle Material,

Visit here for detail http://www.sensatiocraft.blogspot.com/search/label/Award

What is one mistake that you made that you really learned from and what did you learn?

Products I’ve failed because I forgot that the product need to touch the soul, now I learn from these failures. That a successful product is a product that has soul, even if it’s just an inanimate object.

If you like this interview, Like Bambang P Eryanto on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.

Today’s entrepreneur is Heather Castillo of iBetterAccessorize.

When and why did you start your business?

With three girls, we are always in the market for cute hair accessories. I have seen lots of couture hair accessories that sell for upwards of $30-$50. That’s just not feasible for most, especially in today’s economy. I found it so hard to find the materials to make these headbands and when I did, the prices were too high or I had to buy a dozen of each piece. I wanted to give Moms like me, as well as boutique small business owners, a place to shop where they could pay wholesale prices without having to buy dozens of pieces at a time. iBetterAccessorize.com was born in September of 2012. We have a low minimum of $5 for regular orders and the majority of the items are sold by the piece. We provide tutorials, written by our Mom customers, on how to make different accessories.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

I love how every idea I have can be turned into a reality with a little hard work. It’s great to be able to make my own decisions and watch those decisions grow my business each and every day.

Describe your business in 20 words or less.

We sell couture hair supplies at affordable prices. We provide fun DIY projects while saving our customers money.

Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?

My inspiration comes from my Papa. He was an entrepreneur and owned restaurants throughout his life. I used to watch him and admire what a great business man he was. I always wanted to be just like him. My daughters keep me inspired. I’m the mother of three amazing girls. The oldest helps me ship orders and tells me every day that when she gets older, she wants to be in charge of the website. Her enthusiasm is something that reminds me daily of why I work as hard as I do.

What is your biggest success or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your business?

We’ve only been in business for 6 months, but our sales this year over last have increased almost 600%. We have such huge plans for this company and can’t wait to continue to watch it grow. We also have our customers create tutorials that we post on our blog. We create a pack of supplies that we offer our blog readers and each time one of these packs is purchased, the customer who created the tutorial is given a commission. It’s our way of sharing our success with our customers. We also give 10% back on every purchase (once they’ve spent $100) AND we will be donating 50% of all sales to Wigs for Kids on the week of 3/29/13. It’s very important for us to give back!

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs when they are first starting out?

Follow your dreams. Anything is possible if you work hard enough. When I first came up with this idea, I sat down and wrote a list of everything I wanted out of this business. I set realistic goals and made sure I not only met them, but exceeded them.

What is one mistake that you made that you really learned from and what did you learn?

One mistake I made in the beginning was not allowing people to help me get the business up and running. I wanted to do everything myself and I know now that I should allow people to help me and not put 100% of the work on myself.

Where do you see your company in three years?

Hopefully we will have grown tremendously and will be shipping all over the world. Eventually, I’d love to turn this into a brick and mortar business. I’d also love to dedicate at least 4 weeks out of the year to different charities so that we can give back.

Do you sell your products wholesale and, if so, what is one strategies that you use to get your products in stores?

Yes, we do! We do a lot of marketing and networking through social media. We’ve found that a large majority of our customers are small business owners or people that are interested in starting their own hair accessory company.

What is one thing you wish you knew about being an entrepreneur when you first started out?

That it’s not cheap to start your own business! I wish I would have found investors.

If you like this interview, Like iBetterAccessorize on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.

Today’s entrepreneur is Yaacov Hassidim of Zirconmania.

When and why did you start your business?

20 years. Strong drive to achieve success to provide for my family and surroundings.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

Enjoyment. The days passes very quickly.

Describe your business in 20 words or less.

We are introducing the revolutionary process of treating Cubic zirconia with a film of Carbon Diamond particles. This process results in a flawless “G” color on the diamond color scale. This exciting new concept, known as Diamond Veneer will change the way we regard Cubic Zirconium jewels.

Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?

Love for fashion, design and Fine arts.

What is your biggest success or accomplishment you’re most proud of in your business?

My integrity as a business person and my business peers good relationships.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs when they are first starting out?

Be persistent and don’t give-up easily, and stay on track; no matter what. If you believe in what you are doing.

What is one mistake that you made that you really learned from and what did you learn?

Showing too much merchandise, and still doing it! Sorry, can’t help it.

Where do you see your company in three years?

In Walmart stores.

Do you sell your products wholesale and, if so, what is one strategies that you use to get your products in stores?

Yes. Trade shows and the internet.

What is one thing you wish you knew about being an entrepreneur when you first started out?

Doing more Trade shows.

If you like this interview, Like Zirconmania on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Want to be inspired by entrepreneurs who are doing something great? Then read on. Each day we feature new entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and who are living their dream.

Today’s entrepreneur is Mark Poulin.

When and why did you start your business?

I started my business 25 years ago when I fell in love with metal work. I was taking a jewelry class at the local rec center with a friend who talked me into selling jewelry with her out on Telegraph Avenue near the University of California Berkeley campus. I have kept busy since those days and now sell my jewelry in galleries across the country.

What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

I love being only as good as the last thing I’ve made. I love having to reinvent myself every few years to stay interesting to my audience. I love that there is always something new for me to learn. I love being off the 9 to 5 grid, even if that means some 15 hour work days sometimes.

Describe your business in 20 words or less.

I make gifts and collectible jewelry that really hit the target for for a wide age group with different taste.

Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?

I’m visual and I’m a day dreamer. That didn’t really work out so well in my school days but it has paid off as an adult. I’m constantly writing down new ideas on scraps of paper, sending emails to myself, and bouncing things off my friends.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs when they are first starting out?

Price your goods so you are making money and paying yourself a living wage.

Where do you see your company in three years?

I’ve so much time in the last ten years working on fun jewelry and gifts. I am now dedicating some time to working on a higher end wedding based line. Wedding bands, engagement rings, bridesmaid gifts. It’s a lot of work and I’m studying hard. I think I’ll have a great line in two or three years.

Do you sell your products wholesale and, if so, what is one strategies that you use to get your products in stores?

I do wholesale. Although I think wholesale shows may be obsolete in a decade, I think for now it is still important to attend so buyers can see and touch your products. Also face to face is pretty priceless.

If you like this interview, Like Mark Poulin on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.