This month we are spreading all the good vibes, featuring The Goode Karma Co. in our Small Business Interview Series.
When I started transforming my jewelry collection to be primarily sourced from small, handmade businesses (as opposed to big box stores), The Goode Karma Co. was one of the first that I fell in love wih, and I quickly became a repeat customer.
Charlotte focuses on (primarily) on polymer clay earrings, which I always gravitate towards because they are pretty lightweight. If you want to see some of my previous purchases, you can check out Spooky Season Small Business Haul and July Small Business Shout Out. (In both posts I also give a more in-depth review of her products).
Being able to have products made from a small business makes those items more special to me. Although Charlotte and I have not met in real life, following her content and purchasing her items has opened the door to occasionally being able to chat and to learn about each other. I was so excited when she agreed to be a part of the Small Business Interview Series on the blog. Here is our interview below!
Please introduce yourself with your name, preferred pronouns, and where you are from
Hi! I’m Charlotte Goode (She/Her), and I live and work out of Southern California with my spouse Simeon Goode (They/Them) and our two cats, Berlioz and Primrose.
What was your life like before starting The Goode Karma Co.?
Before The Goode Karma Co. I worked full time as a freelance violist (my Bachelors Degree is in Viola Performance). I worked subbing with orchestras, recording for media and albums, and live performance work – such as some fun concerts such as a benefit concert with Seal, the opening gala of the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, and a Netflix pre-Oscars Live-to-Screen performance of The Power of the Dog in 2022.
Can you tell us the story behind the name of your business?
I love puns! So I knew I wanted our business name to have a pun meaning. I’m also a huge believer in Karma – so The Goode Karma Co. made sense to me and feels like the perfect fit.
What inspired you to start your business? When did you officially start your business?
I first started in May of 2020. When the world shut down in March, the performing arts industry was hit really hard – especially for orchestral musicians as we were unable to gather at all to work or even record. The Goode Karma Co. started first as a sort of hobby/supplemental income after we moved back in with my mom. The business grew rapidly, and was a full on “side hustle” by the time Fall of 2021 rolled around, I started getting concert work again and was applying to grad schools for a Masters in Music. However in the Spring of 2022 the business really started to take off and became a full time job. I tried to balance having two full time jobs and my first year of a Masters degree, but in 2023 I ended up biting the bullet and deciding to go all in on The Goode Karma Co. Now my spouse and I work full time making art together for our business and we’re happier than ever!
Where do you constantly find inspiration for new content and designs?
I’m always a sucker for bright colors and nature! I definitely find inspiration there! I’m also a huge fantasy nerd, so a lot of my designs have a little bit of a fairycore/celestial flare to them as well!
What are your goals or what do you strive to accomplish?
I’d love to continue to work full time creating art! I’m still blown away that the little business I started in my mom’s garage is now my full time job, and I hope I get to do it forever!
Do you advocate for any causes through your business platform?
One of my proudest moments as a small business owner is when we were able to raise over $1200 to donate to Planned Parenthood when Roe vs Wade was overturned in 2022. I felt so, so helpless and scared for the people that this would most affect, and I’m so grateful that I was able to use my art to make a small impact!
Is there any particular customer story, business ownership story, or other memory that stands out to you?
The day my Mirabel earrings launched and went “viral” is always a memory I look back on so fondly! As of 2022 I’d never really had a design resonate with people so strongly. I remember I had made 5 pairs for the launch, and they sold out within a minute. I was shocked! I added 10 more, thinking surely that had to be enough…it wasn’t. Then after many more dms, messages, and emails begging for more, we ended up selling about 40 pairs in one day! That was the first day where I really felt a shift from “this is a fun hobby and side business, grateful that this helps us with bills” to “oh my gosh, this could be a full time job.”
Do you collaborate with any other small businesses? If yes, in what ways?
I haven’t, but I’ve always thought it would be super fun to do a collaboration collection with a baker or florist!
What advice would you have for someone wanting to start their own business?
Stay consistent! No matter how much time you can or can’t put in, finding a consistent schedule of creating products, creating content, and interacting with customers is super important both for you and your audience!
Why should society support small businesses?
The world needs more individuality! Just look at the difference between the shows on network tv and quirky webshows people make on YouTube! The originality comes from small creators – people who create because they want to and not because they have to. Small businesses are essential – we don’t need more Walmarts, we need more fun, exciting small businesses from creatively minded people!
Let’s Keep The Good Vibes Going
I have to express a big THANK YOU to Charlotte for sharing her story and for agreeing to be a part of The Ordinary Hippie. You can find Charlotte on Instagram and Facebook. And of course visit her website if you want to add a pair of her art to your jewelry collection!