We’re back with our latest Member To Meet introduction. Throughout the year we are taking you behind the scenes of our featured members, sharing their story, how they overcome fear and persevere. Our next feature is with Catherine Hinz, Founder of Beyond Words Co. Read on to see how Cathrine chooses courage over fear.
Catherine Hinz, photo by Ana Taylor Photography
How long have you been in business and please explain to our audience what you do. Beyond Words Co. launched summer of 2018.
Beyond Words Co. offers an alternative way to comfort and support to those experiencing grief, loss, or difficult life transitions. We provide care packages so that individuals can thoughtfully support the healing journey of a friend, colleague, or client. Our care packages are rooted in practicality and honor self-care. Natural and pure items promote comfort, nourishment, and rest. Items are often made and handcrafted in the USA, eco-friendly, and organic.
How long have you been a member of the BWC and how has this helped you with your business growth and development? I joined BWC in early 2019. BWC has provided tools to more clearly establish my business plan and set my goals. Importantly, it also provides a forum for both camaraderie and accountability with our circle members as we venture on the entrepreneurial journey together.
What are 1-2 goals you have for 2020? Develop close, trusting partnerships with employers and service firms to provide workplace care packages that support their employees and clients through grief and loss journeys.
Re-launch our pre-designed care packages with a more intense focus on supporting small businesses and sustainability practices
What motivates you to reach these goals, also, what holds you back? Oftentimes, senders of the care packages forward me the responses or notes from the person who received the care package. Those heartfelt notes fill my cup and demonstrate we make a difference for others to feel cared about and supported.
I'd love to grow our collection of care package designs more quickly. However, we source with an eye towards female-owned and small businesses, those who have environmentally-friendly practices and packaging, and all made in the USA on a go-forward. The time cycle for vendor selection and then choosing items to fit our framework (items to support mind, body, and spirit) and aesthetics creates for a longer runway to launch for each care package.
Can you describe a time you were faced with fear as it pertains to your business and how did you persevere? If you’re currently facing fear, what is causing this? Submitting my first proposal to a large, well-known corporation was a fearful moment. I didn't know if I composed it correctly or in they way they'd want to see it. I called my older brother, from whom I often seek business advice. I nervously read the proposal parts to him; I was obsessing over each detail, and asked him if my word choices were on-point. He responded, "Catherine, just be you." The light bulb went off, and I could immediately feel the stress dissipate.
When launching a business, it's stressful to put a reflection of yourself into your community. I was accustomed to making decisions within larger organizations that had expectations of leaders to demonstrate their culture, or to do things a certain way. With your own business, it's up to you to create the culture, brand, and tone you want. At first, I was still trying to fit what was ingrained in me from outside institutions, rather than create from my intuition. I'm more successful when I leave the corporate mold behind and give myself more permission to "just be me" in leading my own business. It's been freeing in that regard, and instead of operating from a place of fear, I can operate from a place of creative freedom.
Do you have any best practices to share on how to overcome fear? When I'm fearful or uncertain, I tend to delay decisions. I'll overthink the situation at-hand as well as seek too many outside opinions. This can put me in a place of second-guessing, managing conflicting input, and procrastinating further. My best practice is to make hard decisions more promptly than I'm typically inclined to. It results in using my gut instinct which often results in a better outcome, or at least one I can quickly learn from.
Who is a current role model for you, and why? I'm lucky to have dozens of them. My parents, seven older siblings, and their families have all taught me various lessons that I'm lucky I can bring to life in my Beyond Words Co.. I've witnessed their own resiliency through grief and difficult life circumstances that inspires my work. They also provide sage advice like,"don't be talking when you should be listening" or "always lead with love." I'm fortunate to have unfettered access to amazing support, examples of selflessness, and of course with any family--sound reality checks.
What are 2-3 things you always take with you when you leave the house? Very likely it's the same things you'll find in my care packages. It's a constant struggle for me not to raid my own inventory. There is a reason our care packages are rooted in practicality, and it's the founder's own lived experience :-)
Favorite book, podcast or THING from 2019? The BWC Instagram feed of course, so many amazing and powerful female entrepreneurs to learn more about!
Anything else you’d like to share? A sincere thank you to all those in our community who continue to think of others first, especially during these unprecedented times. While we have lost much through this global pandemic, we have certainly gained an important perspective and reminder to always support one another through difficult times. For the actions of so many to help hold each other up, I am grateful.
How can we stay in touch with you?
Website: https://www.beyondwordsco.com/
Facebook: @beyondwordsco
Instagram: @beyondwordsco
Catherine, it is so fun to watch your journey and how thoughtfully curated your boxes are during our current times. Now more than ever is the time to treat workplace employees, loved ones, those grieving and more. We wish you ongoing success.
The BWC Team
