BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: KD Refillery

DECORAH — KD Refillery celebrated the grand reopening of its new location at 207 W. Water St. earlier this March. Co-owners Kylene Ellis and Desiree Baumler are excited about the larger space, which gives them more room to grow, create, and continue building the low-waste community they are passionate about. KD Refillery is a bulk refill store specializing in eco-friendly home cleaning and personal care products that are safer for both people and the environment. Customers can bring their own containers or purchase reusable ones in-store, then refill products by the weighted ounce. Many refill options are unscented and hypoallergenic, while others are naturally scented with essential oils and plant-based blends rather than synthetic perfumes commonly found in mainstream products. In addition to refill products, KD Refillery offers a variety of sustainable tools and accessories made from materials such as glass, metal, bamboo, sisal fiber, and palm fiber. These products are designed to be reusable, recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable, helping reduce reliance on single-use plastics and minimizing household waste. Ellis and Baumler spoke with DecorahNews.com about their journey with KD Refillery. DN: What inspired you to start this business? KD: We had seen a reel on Facebook about a lady going to her favorite refillery somewhere in California, and we thought that was a really neat idea and that it could work in Decorah. We chose our product lines based on wanting them to be safer and healthier options for the everyday use of our families. We also wanted to support other local and US-based businesses with affordable costs for us and our customers. DN: Tell us how you market your business to grow sales. KD: We rely heavily on word of mouth, but also utilize Facebook, ads in local papers and shoppers, and taking part in events like the Eco Expo. DN: What has been your biggest success to date? KD: Remaining open for a year. DN: What is the best thing a customer ever said about your business? KD: It is our favorite when a customer comes in and lets us know that our products have helped them to heal or deal with their different persistent skin issues. DN: If you believe you've embraced technology well in running your business, tell us what you did or how you did it. BAUMLER: I'm a big numbers person. With that, having spreadsheets and Square to help give us some insights on the ups and downs to better project demands and where we could pick up some pace has been very helpful. DN: What inspires you to get out of bed every morning? ELLIS: As cliche as it is, my son is my reason. DN: What are the one or two things within your business that you need to improve upon over the next 12 months? ELLIS: I am slowly teaching myself bookkeeping. DN: What interesting facts about your business don't most people know? KD: We actually met when we both worked at the Luther College Bakery and have been best friends for over ten years. It only took us two months after deciding on the idea of the Refillery to complete all the paperwork, find a location, fill it with inventory and then open the doors. DN: What is your favorite genre of music or favorite musical group? ELLIS: I listen to everything, but Classic Rock is my favorite genre. The Doors is my favorite band.BAUMLER: I listen to any and all. DN: Of all the places to which you've traveled, what has been your favorite and why? ELLIS: I went on a J-term trip to London and Ireland. Ireland was my favorite, and I would love to go again. It is beautiful there. The way that their history seems to seamlessly blend in with modern buildings and way of life is amazing. BAUMLER: I love cruising in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean to experience the different countries and cultures. DN: When you're not working, what is your favorite thing to do? KD: Spending time with our families. And sleeping. DN: What one bit of advice would you give to a young person looking to get started in operating their own business? KD: Do a little more planning than two months' worth! Editor's note: Business Spotlights are produced by the newsroom of DecorahNews.com and are not a paid advertisement. The goal is to recognize area businesses by telling their stories. It is challenging to be an entrepreneur, regardless of the type or age of the business. DecorahNews.com recognizes the huge role that businesses play in our rural communities. If you own a business in Decorah or Winneshiek county and would like to be considered for an upcoming Business Spotlight, tell us about your business here.