Michelle Harthill – Resourcefulness takes you far in entrepreneurship

Feeling under-appreciated as an employee, a nonexistent work-life balance, financial struggles, getting out of bad relationships – these are the most common triggers that push women to become entrepreneurs. Tell us about your trigger?

For the first several years, I didn’t consider myself an entrepreneur. As a matter of fact, I started my agency because my clients (who I worked with at the ad agency I was employed with at that time) needed someone they could trust to grow their business vs simply taking their money. Plus, the Military channel was completing untapped at that time – no full-service agency provided marketing solutions to the hundreds of CPG companies represented – and I had identified there was a huge need. 

Twenty-one years later, my team still works with globally known brands such as ConAgra Foods (who I started with), PepsiCo (19 years), Tyson Foods (8 years), Kraft/Heinz (12 years) Bumble Bee (18 years), Coca-Cola (7 years), Mondelez (15 years), and many more!

How did you come up with your business idea?

The idea for Meeschell came after I started working with emerging brands in the naturals space about eight years ago. As apart of my efforts, I was developing a sales and marketing strategy for each, to include brand building. What I consistently noticed was, unless each had SEO set up, used social media consistently and effectively, and advertised/saturated the market, a consumer could not find that brand. 

So, I developed the business model for Meeschell – a marketplace specific to natural products to include beauty, pet, food, beverages, home, and baby that would bring women-owned/small business brands to one e-retailer.

Have you had support from someone, even if just encouragement? Who was that and how did it help you?

I have a great circle of support. I’m an Officer for the Southern CA region of Network of Executive Women. My eight years with this group have been amazing. I’ve developed partnerships, business relationships, and friendships that have allowed me to pivot consistently, share ideas and strategies, and get feedback, assistance, transparency, and support that I wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Female entrepreneurs are often underestimated and overlooked. Have you ever felt at a disadvantage?

Not really. Even as a young girl, my biggest strength has been listening and observing. I’ve been very blessed to have amazing clients through the years, both men and women, who have supported me. I excel at building relationships and that’s very much benefited me. 

Have I dealt with narcissistic men through the years? Of course! Could I work with them like everyone else with no problems? Yes. No one has ever really phased me

Some say it’s hard work, others say it’s talent and resourcefulness that play a crucial role for success in entrepreneurship? Which traits have been instrumental for your success so far? And why?

Resourcefulness is a definite! I don’t think it makes you successful but I certainly think it’s beneficial when you are wearing many hats. However, I would say the biggest key to my success has been relationship building. 

I’ll take you back 21 years ago when I didn’t know I had this skill. I listened, and if I didn’t have the answer, I sought out to find it, and I really cared about that individual and his/her business. If I messed up – I owned it. If I didn’t know – I admitted it. Most importantly, I always went above and beyond to provide a solution and meet objectives. 

I’m also very big on learning from one another. Individually, we don’t have all the answers but as a team through collaboration and discussion, we can build continued success.

What excites you the most about being an entrepreneur?

I have so many 🙂 

The people – meeting brand owners and hearing the passion in her voice as she explains the why and what behind her products. The development and growth of new/ innovative brands – being a part of the overall success of a program, advertising campaign, brand building and sales efforts. 

As stressful as it can often be, I do enjoy wearing many hats. The more knowledge, the more we grow.

Share with us some of the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

About 10 years ago, I was in negotiations for a merger acquisition with an older gentleman that owned a printing company. Six months into conversations, I lose my contract with ConAgra Foods – making them now a project client – which would reduce my profit margin by 40% annually. When I shared this news – this gentleman said very directly – “you won’t survive this…you need to shut down and get a job”. 

Of course, I paused for a few weeks as I thought about his advice, then decided to prove him wrong. Within two years, I secured new business that more than made up that 40% and had the pleasure of sending him an email expressing how happy I was that I DID NOT merge with him or his company.

You’ve got a high stake investment opportunity. Pitch your business in 150 words.

Meeschell is the first e-retailer in the U.S to offer a marketplace of natural, organic and eco-friendly products by women-owned, small business brands. Our business model is simple – offer consumers one e-retail location that meets the growing demand for natural products while partnering with brand owners that provide quality, innovation and great customer service!

Let’s talk about growth. The expected revenue of the natural-products segment to increase by more than $15 billion by 2024, as a result of three main drivers: Consumer demand for natural attributes; Increased natural brand offerings; and Distribution through conventional channels (source: SPINS Data). 

Meeschell meets all three of these drivers. In addition, categories such as food/ beverage, CBD/hemp, and supplements have seen a substantial increase in sales this year because of COVID while the demand for natural beauty, pet and baby products is seeing an increase as consumers continue to avoid products with artificial ingredients (source: Natural Products Insider). 

These facts will make Meeschell a sought after, profitable, high growth business!

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs?

Network – get as many people with a vast amount of knowledge and skillset in your circle and embrace each one of them. Understand the benefits and the value of your product or service and always communicate it and deliver. Know your strengths and weaknesses and never be afraid to compromise.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

Meeschell will be a household name. Customers will love our products, making us THE holistic community that everyone thinks of when wanting natural.