Life & Work with Carrie Newman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Newman. 

Hi Carrie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The idea to create Michigan Bear Cub Collection came from a combination of my experiences, my love for journaling, candles, and getting creative. I would make lists in my journal and write out things I loved and things I felt I was good at. I wrote candles on my list on more than one occasion and it came to me! I would go out and buy candles every week and I had two reasons why I wanted to stop doing that. I started to realize I was getting headaches on a more consistent bases and my candles burned too fast. I started to do my research on what candles actually consisted of. The idea to dig deeper was inspired by my personal challenges with health and fertility. I had no idea that the candles I bought and burned frequently, included endocrine disruptors and other harmful toxins and carcinogens. I wanted to create my own candles that were long-lasting, made with renewable resources, free of reproductive toxins, and other hazardous chemicals. So that is exactly what I did. I came up with the name after talking to my husband Derrick. My big sister Shaniece, helped me make the final decision. My nickname is Carebear or Bear, I refer to my son as Cub or Osito, and I have a fierce love for all things Michigan, so that is the history on our name. In the midst of the pandemic the creativity was flowing and we spent a good chunk of time outdoors. This gave us the opportunity to think about ideas & explore more wonders of our great lake state. Our favorite activities include traveling, cooking/eating, and going on adventures to places & events in Michigan. We have done quite a bit of traveling and enjoyed every moment but there’s just something so incredibly sweet about a white Christmas and the smell of the leaves in Fall. Bear Cub Collection Candles mimic vibrant memories of Michigan staples like blueberry festivals, orchard trips, freshwater lakes, and fireside cuddles by the Christmas tree. Our candles reflect some of our most cherished and memorable moments here. I brainstormed names for each scent and ran each one by my partner in time. My husband is a developer and he created our website from scratch. We took on our first event that was hosted by my amazing mother and we have been in motion since. The Davison farmers market has become our second home and that is where you can find us on select dates throughout the year. We have partnered with “Almar Orchard” and “Come Get Cozy”, so you can find our products in Flushing and Linden too! I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many amazing people, hearing their stories, sharing laughs and scent memories with them. This is still an early part of our journey and we hope to continue to put our products in more stores throughout Michigan, build relationships, continue to have fun, and learn as much as possible along the way. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say testing was challenging but I overcame that by researching and trial and error experimenting. Reaching out to businesses was challenging because you have to be ok with hearing no and even being laughed at. Rejection is only redirection and I use that feeling to propel forward. I work full-time as an Executive Recruiter and finding balance as a mom, wife, and business owner can be tough. I write often, read positive things, and listen to positive things that help me prioritize & remain focused. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love music and I enjoy singing. I have been singing since I was very young. It’s a stress reliever for me and something I’ll love forever. I have done solos for a wedding, funerals, and local events. Aside from my voice, I would say my ability to connect with people sets me apart. I cherish people from all walks of life and meet them where they are. I enjoy talking and learning from other people’s experiences. Communication is like an airplane; it can take you places you’ve never dreamed of. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would say be fearless and just talk to people. I found my mentor/coach in a Facebook networking group. I feel that is important that you have someone level-headed to talk to. I have learned that our approach is the problem in most situations. Mentors help keep you grounded and focused on what goals are important. Joining groups, meeting people at farmers’ markets, and talking to people wherever I go helps me grow. I use a business card app (HIHello) which helps me keep up with people I meet and also where I met them. 

Contact Info:

• Website: michiganbearcubcollection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michiganbearcubcollection/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganBearCubCollection
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/michiganbearcubcollection/ 

Image Credits
Taylor Thompson Photography