Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Knowles.
Hi Kelsey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I wish there were a more glamorous story here, but the biggest driving factor was that I wanted to leave corporate life. I was working office jobs for three different companies in the same industry since I graduated college that was unfulfilling and, honestly, problematic.
I started to notice some blatant patterns that ate away at me more and more as time went on. Everyone was white and all upper management were straight, cis-men. Long hours were expected, raises were non-existent and employees were very clearly expendable and replaceable. I started seeing that no matter how hard I (or others that didn’t fit this description) worked, there was a very hard ceiling for us. This was not a world I was willing to be a part of anymore. The pandemic also made it increasingly obvious that companies do not care about their employees, so I knew I had to get out of corporate life. It was time to forge my own path and strike out on my own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh man, it has absolutely not been a smooth road. It is definitely a rollercoaster- some days, you feel like you’re really getting everything right, but other days you realize how much you still have to learn. Making this leap is always scary, leaving your job and not having the steady income you are used to is frankly terrifying. I have run into so many obstacles, from things as small as having to make and run your own website to big ones like having my Google and Facebook ad accounts being suspended. There is a learning experience every day.
What I was least prepared for was the mental and emotional rollercoaster this journey is. Especially in the US, so much value is placed on your income and productivity, we glorify overworking. No business makes a ton of money right off the bat, so it is easy for your self-worth to take a hit because of this.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Conscious Consumer?
The Conscious Consumer is an online store that offers eco-friendly and sustainable household and personal care products. We can’t avoid consumerism completely. There are certain things we have to use in our day-to-day lives–toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, household cleaning products, etc., but we can choose better versions of those products. Essentially, we have better-for-you-and-the-planet alternatives, minus the plastic and chemicals. We carry things that are zero waste, low waste, vegan, made in the US, biodegradable, have compostable packaging and are free of toxins.
What sets The Conscious Consumer apart is the effort that goes into sourcing and choosing vendors. Each collection is carefully curated from brands that meet the highest ethical, environmental standards.
Additionally, I am most proud of the many intersections of people I have the privilege of representing. As a queer woman, it is a huge priority to have vendors that reflect the world around us. This means women and non-men, this means LGBTQ+ people, this means a broad spectrum of cultures and complexions, this means other small businesses. I see my brand as a platform to serve and elevate people and groups that are not represented nearly enough.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is serving the greater good and supporting other small businesses. Whether it is by providing affordable and accessible goods that won’t harm the planet or by sticking close to my sourcing strategy and diversity efforts, my main goal is to contribute to something bigger and more important than myself.
Pricing:
- Multi-Surface Cleaner Refill Tablets $9
- 120 Count Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags $11
- Laundry Detergent Strips $16.95
- Bamboo Dish Brush $9
- Solid Dish Soap $12
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@theconsciousconsumer.me
- Website: www.theconsciousconsumer.me
- Instagram: @theconsciousconsumer.me
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciousconsumer.me/
Image Credits
Photos by Kelly McGee, Vincent Mercer, Focused Bloom Photography
