917. Expanding Your Network In a New Industry, Top Trends in Buyer Habits, And Speaking Industry Jargon With Cayla Gray Founder, Kelly Kussman

I’m joined by one of my rockstar Lite Pink investors Kelly Kussman to talk about our exciting collab coming out tomorrow! Kelly is the founder of Cayla Gray, a luxury perfume and candle company, and we worked together to create a scent that captures the feel of drinking an icy glass of Rosé in the sparkling summer sun. When I wear Rosé Summer, I’m immediately transported back to when I was on a yacht on the Amalfi Coast, feeling the breeze in my hair, and smelling the salt in the air. 

 

Kelly and I dive into our collaboration process and talk about how we worked together to create a visceral experience with Rosé Summer. She breaks down the difference between white labeling, private labeling, and starting a product-based business from scratch. She shares her tips for how to build your audience from the ground up and what her vision is for the future of Cayla Gray. To learn more about her company and shop Rosé Summer, check out @caylagrayco and caylagray.com! 

 

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

• The life event that shifted Kelly’s perspective and drove her to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams
• Kelly’s first step when it came to experimenting and testing fragrances 
• Creative ways to expand your network when you’re entering a new industry 
• Why Kelly decided to go the direct-to-consumer route 
• Trends in buyer habits and priorities 
• Kelly’s simple trick for learning how to speak industry jargon 
• The fragrance notes and inspiration behind Rosé Summer
  
  

RESOURCES

• Thanks to Indeed for supporting Earn Your Happy. Go to indeed.com/happy to redeem a $75 sponsored job credit. 
• Thanks to Gusto for sponsoring the show! To get 3 months free, go to gusto.com/lori.  
• Sign up for The Spritz newsletter at litepink.com!
• Text PODCAST to 310-496-8363 for updates and a chance to be featured on the show!

 

CONNECT WITH KELLY

Follow Kelly: @kelly_ward_kussman 

Follow Cayla Gray:@caylagrayco 

Shop Cayla Gray: caylagray.com 

 

CONNECT WITH LORI

Follow me: @loriharder

Follow Lite Pink: @drinklitepink

Follow Earn Your Happy: @earnyourhappy

Follow Girlfriends & Business: @girlfriendsandbusiness

Listen to Girlfriends & Business

 

GUEST BIO

Kelly Kussman is the founder and CEO of Cayla Gray.  After 20 years building a career in corporate retail, she had a life altering incident that led her to change course and start her own dream business.  Cayla Gray was founded in 2020 and is a luxury line of clean fragrances, offering both core and seasonal scents.  Kelly wanted to create healthier fragrance options for women because we deserve better products.