EPS 172 Hooswhere ft. Toria Edmonds-Howell

HoosWhere Podcast

Welcome to "The Hooswhere" podcast with your host Chase Minnifield, broadcasting from the heart of DC. Joining Chase and Max is a remarkable guest, Toria Edmunds-Howell, a UVA alum who's taken the entrepreneurial world by storm.

In this episode, Toria shares her journey from choosing UVA to her career evolution, reflecting on her academic pursuits and her transition from psychology to English and African American Studies. Currently, she's an innovation center manager at a financial institution while simultaneously running her own thriving small business.

Toria dives into her college experience, revealing that UVA wasn't a culture shock for her, but she wishes she had embraced those moments more. As an introvert, networking wasn't a priority during college, yet she found her calling as a college advisor post-graduation through the Virginia College Advising Corps program.

The conversation shifts to Toria's decision to pursue a Master's degree in Education and her path as a teacher. She opens up about her motivation for launching a business focused on safe and non-toxic household cleaning products. Toria discusses market opportunities, the need for educating consumers about toxic ingredients, and her journey from online sales to expanding into mass retail.

Toria shares the challenges she's faced in entering the mass retail market and the importance of securing funding to meet production demands. Despite hurdles, she radiates optimism about her business's future.

Listeners will gain insights into Toria's unwavering vision and the sacrifices she's made for her business. She explores potential B2B opportunities and the thrill of realizing her business's success, from selling out inventory to charting a path for acquisition.

Toria emphasizes the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and offers advice on effective time management. She discusses her marketing strategies, from social media to SEO, word-of-mouth, and agency partnerships, as well as the invaluable lessons learned through accelerator programs like Target Accelerator and Square Accelerator.

As an aspiring entrepreneur, Toria encourages others to bet on themselves and take action. She shares exciting updates about her brand, North 24 Home, including new product launches and press opportunities. Toria's commitment to transparency with investors and customers shines through as she invites listeners to follow her journey on social media.

The episode concludes with a fun rapid-fire question session, giving you a glimpse into Toria's personal preferences. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with a rising entrepreneur. Subscribe now on YouTube and Apple Podcasts to stay connected with "The Hooswhere" podcast!

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