Today we’d like to introduce you to Greer Bitterlin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Greer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always wanted to have my own business, I come from a family of entrepreneurs who have really inspired me to go for what you want in life. For so many years, I have tossed around ideas but nothing ever really stuck, then life gets busy and before you know it you’re still working your 9 to 5 job. That all changed in May 2018 when a horse arrived for me to try, he was stunning but also so sensitive and smart. I pretty much knew right then and there that we would be life long partners. I have dealt with anxiety issues my whole life and horseback riding has been a huge outlet for me, it’s something that makes me feel good. I wanted to create something that will make people feel just as good, and one day a light bulb went off! I was finishing a lesson, patted my horse on the neck and said “good boy Carter” with a big smile on my face, right then and there, I knew Good Boy Carter was going to be my company’s name.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been a windy one, but worth it. Starting your own company can be very overwhelming, there are so many parts that all need to link together but when the pieces fall into place, there is no better feeling. Working in your costs and budgets, ordering your materials, product testing, and wondering will people even like this? It’s a very vulnerable space to be in, but also empowering because it’s all on my terms. The day I launched my company, all of these anxieties washed away because I was just so happy to finally share it with everyone. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are still day to day worries. I truly don’t think that will ever stop, because if you care about something you will always have some emotion in it. There is never a right time to start a company or any endeavor, so my advice to all the women out there who are wanting to embark on a new journey would be to just go for it! Easier said than done, but I waited so long to follow my heart and passions and once I did it felt extremely freeing. It may feel daunting but you’ll be surprised by how many people you have in your corner rooting you on!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
When forming Goody Boy Carter, I wanted to make products that everyone can enjoy, man or woman. I hand-pour all natural soy candles, and for every candle purchased I donate a dollar to the Child Mind Institute. This nonprofit helps children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. I’m a big advocate for mental health awareness, and even though Good Boy Carter is fairly new, I still feel that it’s important to give back. Bath bombs are also in the mix as well as soaking salts, because who doesn’t love a good bath? I have also made a body salve for when you’ve got those aches and pains. Being a horseback rider, it’s inevitable that you will fall off at some point (horses make you humble), so I found it important to make something that relieves sore muscles. I also make a lip balm which has been a big hit! All ingredients used in my products are 100% natural and mostly organic. Candles are also phthalate free.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
One of the biggest things that I wish I learned sooner was to not let others influence your thoughts or dreams. As women, I feel that sometimes we think we need to be this way or that way for society to accept us, but being who you are is so much more important. My mom has always told me that the older you get the more you don’t care what anyone else thinks about you, and she is 100% right. When we can all get over what others are thinking about us then we can really shine. In our modern culture, we have more opportunities than ever before, and that will only grow. We have the ability to do it all, and that’s what’s so great about being a woman.
Contact Info:
- Website: goodboycarter.com
- Phone: 619.994.5196
- Email: greer@goodboycarter.com
- Instagram: @good.boy.carter
Image Credit:
Ryan West
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