Creating a small business is a lot like baking a cake. But instead of flour and sprinkles, this recipe relies more on perseverance and determination. And wine.

Overcoming struggles, improving the community, and rolling with the punches: these are the basic ingredients of small business success. And there’s nothing we love more than a small business success story to remind us all why we love this difficult job.

Phoenix-based business owner Tammy Fraser’s story does just that. Starting with the ‘throw-away’ business idea that became her full-time job, Tammy shares her story of being part of a small-business incubator, and learning from her mistakes.

Home economics, 101

My grandmother taught me to bake a cake without a recipe when I was 8 or 9. And thanks to my mom, I learned to cook, freeze, can foods, and sew just about anything. I also learned the math of running a household, and focused on science and economics in college.

After graduation, however, I strayed into insurance. And while I enjoyed my time there, I found that performing my job at a Fortune 100 company was becoming physically difficult due to rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, my family was planning a move to Arizona. So my store, Gifts To Go, was born out of a geographical, career, and lifestyle change.

Incidentally, if I had a plan, it was to run a bakery. Gifts To Go was to be a ‘throw away’ home business, as I developed a list of resources and connections here and attempted to commit myself to building the bakery. Somewhere along the line, I realized Gifts To Go wasn’t just an experiment. Not only was it was fun; it let me get back to my home economic roots.

Gifts to Go

Simply put, we aim to put smiles on faces with our gifts, baskets, books and balloons, as well as shipping and delivery services.

Our baskets are usually containers of some sort, such as a serving tray or tote bag. The ‘signature’ I’m striving for when creating a gift basket is: 1) Listen to the customer; I send photos of prototypes to make sure it’s right whenever possible. 2) Include one or more durable gift items. And 3) avoid small, sample sized products. So far, our customers appreciate this because the gifts they send continue to last far beyond the day they are delivered.

We also stock books by local authors, which in my case are Arizonans, and several are even published here as well. The perfect gift for me has always been a book, so selling them was only natural, and I try to give local authors a forum to connect with readers and sell their work. When people make the effort to shop local, they want to know that the owner cares about the community as well, and I hope my promotion of local authors demonstrates my commitment to my neighborhood.

As for what’s on the horizon, our list of services will soon include operating a contract postal unit as well as expanded wrapping and shipping services.

What is this ‘business incubator’? Can I put eggs in it?

The best decision I made was to move into the retail business incubator Barnaby Street Shoppes.

In 2010 I was starting a home-based business in a place where I didn’t know anyone. I knew I needed to get out, but didn’t want to commit to a costly lease. I finally found the colorful, funky plaza in Surprise, Arizona, and I knew I wanted to start my business there. I signed a lease for 3 months on a 150-foot section. The incubator opened with 14 resident businesses, many of them run by long time small retailers. It took me some time to get my ‘land-legs’ as there were many differences of strategy regarding how things should be done, but I’ve subsequently grown very comfortable with my business concept and my goals.

Two and a half years later, I’m still very excited about Barnaby Street Shoppes. Gifts To Go has expanded three times, and we have regular customers who value local businesses and the role we play in the community’s health. We set goals, meet them, and move on to the next. We’re not making tons of money, but our foundation is strong. And we’ve been able to experiment with many things without losing our shirts because the cost of running an incubator business is so much less than a full stand-alone suite.

Overcoming roadblocks, like a boss

I did not set out to hire the most expensive web developer. But the salesperson who promised I could “build a website overnight” was wrong in my case.

Yes, I was able to get a site up and running fairly quickly, but it was far less than what I had imagined it to be. This turned into an agonizing process of studying hundreds of sites and consulting fellow business owners on what to do. Eventually though, I decided to go with a local developer who was accessible and had a proven track record of quality work. He also happened to be the most expensive solution.

What did I learn? Spending large sums of money can be intimidating, but if it is spent on quality work, it is completely worth it.

Marketing? Is that a verb?

Marketing is always a challenge, but I work every day to be involved in my community. Talking to my customers and other small business owners always energizes me. I am also an active member of Local First Arizona, local networking groups, and the Barnaby Street Shoppes, as well as the ever-evolving world of social media. Not to mention my connection to the local authors’ community!

Before rheumatoid arthritis, I thought continuous effort would solve a problem; the gift that Gifts To Go has given me is the ability to stop working even in the midst of a problem. Most times a night’s sleep or a morning’s shower will produce the elusive answer.

So where should I begin?

Just start. Write down short-term and long-term goals, and don’t worry if it’s not immediately apparent how to get from one to the next. Pay attention to opportunities and seriously evaluate each one.

I almost passed on the Barnaby Street Shoppes opportunity because I was worried about foot traffic. But my time and money spent there have been well worth it as I’ve developed my ‘go to’ list of people, committed to Gifts To Go as a business, and developed a thriving customer base. I’ve also been able to experiment with new products, services, and marketing strategies in a very safe, low-cost environment.

Look for the least expensive way to start building a customer base, and getting both your name and your company’s name in the public arena. And don’t hesitate to talk to and help other business owners.

What’s your small business success story? Share your tale in the comments below!

Like this blog post? Subscribe to Scott’s Local Business Corner to receive local business marketing advice right to your inbox.

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It can be difficult enough to try to do some good in the world. But when the desire to make a positive impact is combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, the cause-based business is born.

Growing a business is always a challenge, so it’s especially heartening when small business owners make the extra effort to put their energy and time into a good cause.

When it comes to running a successful business, Ashley LeMieux of The Shine Project knows what it takes. What began as a blog meant to inspire others has grown into a small business and scholarship program benefiting at-risk youth.

Now, Ashley employs the kids she helps, and uses her business prowess to effect positive change in the world. We’ve asked her to share her story and advice with us on how she grew her blog into a company that gives something back on a daily basis.

Check out Ashley’s story below:

Business: The Shine Project/Threads

Scott’s Local Business Corner: What motivated you to begin The Shine Project?

Ashley LeMieux: Two years ago I was about to graduate from ASU and had all of these goals that I wanted to accomplish in my career and personal life.

I chose a word to live by for the year, and that word was SHINE.

I have always wanted to be a writer, so I created a blog to motivate and inspire people from around the world to go after their dreams as well. That one little word choice has now turned into a huge project.

SLBC: How did your experiences with The Shine Project lead you to create The Shine Scholarship Project and eventually Threads?

Ashley: During the same time I started my blog, I was doing an internship at an inner city Phoenix high school. I became very close with a lot of the students that I was working with and wanted so badly to help them reach their full potential. I realized that they were lacking mentors and funding.

My blog had grown like crazy within just a couple of months, so I decided to use my social media platform to be the voice of the students I was teaching. I started raising money to send them to college, and that turned into a non profit. We have our annual charity event coming up on April 20th. Get tickets and more info on The Shine Project Beauty Event 2013.

Last summer I grew incredibly frustrated with the lack of government funding for higher education. I decided I needed to create a for-profit business that we could use to employ the kids we were working with and giving scholarships to so that they wouldn’t run out of money. That’s when the idea of Threads was born.

SLBC: Can you tell us a little about your experiences with establishing Threads? What sort of products do you offer and why did you choose those particular items?

Ashley: We employ at-risk youth to make bracelets to help them pay their way through college. Bracelets are incredibly trendy and don’t go out of style, which is why we chose to focus on them. We will expand our product base in the near future, but wanted to choose one thing to focus on at a time. Before Threads, I had never made a bracelet in my life. I had never sold to boutiques and I had no experience in the fashion industry. I did, however, have a lot of business experience and the desire to help people that far outweighed any fear that I might have had. I did tons of research and trusted my gut that it would all work out.

SLBC: What unexpected roadblocks did you experience while establishing Threads?

Ashley: I don’t want to jinx myself, but we’ve been incredibly blessed so far. The biggest “roadblock” we have right now is not having enough products to be featured on a national talk show that features our product. We’re growing organically, people are responding to our products, and we’re extremely excited about what this year has to offer.

SLBC: What advice would you give to others creating non-profit organizations, or who simply want to give something back through their business?

Ashley: Do something different. There’s a lot of cause-driven businesses that focus on the same things or try to market products that no one wants to buy. Think out of the box. Your customers will let you know if it’s a good idea or not. What I mean by this is if it’s good, you’ll sell and sell and sell. If it’s not a good idea, you wont. Don’t be afraid to change ideas if something isn’t working out.

SLBC: What marketing tactics have you employed to promote Threads?

Ashley: Because my blog grew so quickly, we were able to use that as a launching pad for Threads. We reach out to a lot of bloggers, and promote in really creative and fresh ways over social media. However, our biggest marketing tactic is our product. It sells itself because people want to be involved in our cause. (I teach business classes to help other small businesses grow. If interested in attending, more info can be received by emailing: theshineproject@gmail.com.)

SLBC: How did you go about getting Threads products placement in physical stores? 

Ashley: At first, we sought out five local stores we wanted to be carried in and went and met with the owners or managers. Now we are contacted on a weekly basis by new boutiques across the country who have heard about us and want to carry our products.

SLBC: Do you have any plans to open dedicated retail locations for Threads?

Ashley: Not at this time!

SLBC: Any parting words on Threads and The Shine Project?

Ashley: Every single decision we make has the kids at the forefront. If a decision means the kids make less money, etc, we don’t do it even if it would make our company grow. They are the number one reason we do what we do and that will never ever ever be compromised. They give meaning to my life and job, and our goal is to make them as successful as the possibly can be.

Thank you to Ashley for sharing her story and tips with us on how she’s been able to give something back to her community while getting a great business idea up and running. For more business advice check out our free e-book – The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: How to Write a Business Plan.

Watch this video on how The Shine Project is changing the lives of at-risk youth and get inspired to give something back yourself! Warning: It’s a tearjerker — but in a good way!

Do you give something back to your community through your business?

Like this blog post? Subscribe to Scott’s Local Business Corner to receive local business marketing advice right to your inbox.

Images courtesy of Ashley LeMieux of The Shine Project

So you have a great small business idea but aren’t sure how to turn it into a profitable company? This, all too often, is a problem many entrepreneurs face when they’re just starting out.

And as a local business owner, it can be intimidating trying to compete with other businesses similar to yours who are not only already popular, but profitable. Undeniably, becoming an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but it helps to hear success stories from other small business owners who’ve made it work.

It’s for this reason that we asked local entrepreneur, Sonia Charry, owner of PawPosse.com, to share her advice with us on how she initially came up with her small business idea and what marketing tactics have helped her company grow.

Check out her tips below:

1. Learn from others’ experiences. You can get a wealth of information from other entrepreneurs, as well as free small business resources you can find online.
2. Hone your networking skills. Sign up for small business and entrepreneur Meetup groups to meet like-minded business owners. This will help further your reach in your local business community and gain traction for your business.
3. Take advantage of social media. There’s no better way to reach thousands of members of your target audience on a daily basis than through the use of social media.
4. Always up the ante. Constantly looking for new ways to take your business to the next level keeps your business fresh and relevant.

Check out Sonia’s story below:

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Sonia, can you tell us a little about the products PawPosse has to offer?

Sonia Charry: PawPosse.com specializes in cool stuff for big dogs. We seek products that solve problems for dog owners. A few examples: Phoenix’s hot summers mean scorching pavement; our summer dog boots protect a dog’s paws from burning. For owners who would rather keep their dogs indoors when it’s hot or cold in the winter, our dog treadmills let you exercise your dog no matter how brutal the weather is. Many big dogs are very smart and high-energy, so we offer puzzle toys like a treat ball to give a dog mental stimulation while satisfying their urge to chew. We don’t carry everything, so we focus on products that are high quality and fulfill dog owners’ needs.

SLBC: How did your business idea for PawPosse come about?

Sonia: It’s all my dog’s fault! When Nala was a puppy, I went to one of the big pet stores and passed a rack of Halloween costumes. I was shocked to find my 6-month-old puppy was too big for their extra-large sizes. I went home, searched online, and after not finding anything big enough for Nala, I realized there was an opportunity.

SLBC: It must have taken quite a leap of faith for you to turn your small business idea into an actual company. What steps did you take to ensure your success? 

Sonia: It was scary, but my passion propelled me forward. I bounced the idea off everyone I could – friends, family, strangers at the dog park – and their enthusiasm supported my idea’s value. From there, I made sure to work with people who had more experience than I did and could advise me. I hired a local web developer who had successful e-commerce clients. I found a wholesaler who worked with online pet retailers and picked their brains on what worked for their big customers. I sought assistance from free business support programs like the Small Business Development Center and Business Accelerator. Why waste time on mistakes when you can learn from others’ experiences?

SLBC: What advice would you give to local entrepreneurs who have a great small business idea but aren’t sure where to begin?

Sonia: Connect, connect, connect. Find others who have done something similar and find out what worked. Find out what didn’t work. You may have a hard time getting someone in your own industry to guide you, but many lessons transcend industries. Hire people whose skills complement yours. Attend Meetups and other groups where you can connect and learn from those further along the path.

SLBC: What marketing tactics have you used to turn PawPosse into a popular shopping site for pet owners?

Sonia: Social media’s been big for PawPosse. Even before the site went live, we were connecting with dog lovers on Facebook, Twitter, and other media. We put out a lot of good content, which helped us build a strong following. That led to the second piece that’s helped us grow: search engine optimization. We put out content people want, make it easy to find, and now see about 50,000 unique search visitors each month.

SLBC: Were there any marketing tactics you tried that didn’t turn out so well?

Sonia: At the start, I tried to be cutesy in an attempt to make my site different. For example, I called a product category “Wearables” instead of “Dog Apparel.” Nobody searches for “wearables,” so it didn’t get search traffic. People who came to my site from social media and other sources weren’t looking for “wearables” either, so it didn’t jump out at them and they left. Once I went for ease of use over cutesy, sales improved. Lesson learned: Keep things simple. Make it easy for customers to find what they want and sales will follow.

SLBC: Are there any software programs or tools you use to help streamline your marketing efforts?

Sonia: I use a few free online tools to monitor results. Google Analytics is a fantastic option for tracking everything from basic traffic to email campaigns to real-time data. It’s exciting when I put out a promotion and can instantly see the response.

SLBC: Your dog inspired your initial small business idea; does she continue to inspire new products in your online store?

Sonia: Absolutely. When I see a new product, one of the first thoughts in my head is “Would I buy this for Nala?” It’s one thing for a product to be useful or clever, but it’s another thing for it to be good enough for my baby. If it’s not good enough for my dog, it’s not good enough for my customers.

SLBC: Any plans to open a retail location for PawPosse?

Sonia: At this time, we’re focused on our online customers. Focusing on online sales allows us to provide better customer service and a broader range of inventory to our national customer base.

SLBC: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about PawPosse?

Sonia: We love dogs and will do everything in our power to help you and your dog live happier lives together. If you have a question about a product, sizing, or something you can’t find, please call. We’re happy to help!

Thank you to Sonia for sharing her tips with us on how to get your small business idea up and running. For more business advice, including more tips from Sonia, check out our free e-book — The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: How to Write a Business Plan.

What’s your favorite tip for turning a small business idea into a profitable company?

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Does your current retail marketing plan turn customers into loyal, repeat buyers, while providing you with a steady stream of new prospective customers? If not, it’s time for you to give it a major overhaul. Your marketing plan is an integral part of your local business’ success, and creative, out-of-the-box marketing ideas are best to grab the attention of your consumers. We spoke with local business owner of clothing store Elan Style, Lisa Colaw, about her tips for creating a retail marketing plan that not only fits the needs of her consumers, but stands out amongst all the competition.

Elan Style

Lisa’s retail marketing tips:

• Use holidays to your advantage. Whether it’s festively decorating your storefront window or offering special seasonal sales, the holidays can be a powerhouse of profit for you.
• Cash in on your creativity. Want to get customers into your retail location? Host an in-store or off-site event! Freebies like food, beverages, and product giveaways are sure-fire ways to get a great turnout and are a break from the marketing norm.
• Profit off your passion. You know you’re good at what you do, so make sure you show it. Offer your expertise by writing blog posts (guess blogging is great too) and posting tips on social media. By doing this, you’ll become a thought leader in your industry and gain a great following.

Check out Lisa’s business success story below for more retail marketing (and a little fashion!) advice:

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Lisa, can you start by telling us about your business, Elan Style?

Lisa Colaw: Elan Style offers a sophisticated mix of contemporary clothing and accessories for every budget and just about every age. I originally opened the store in November of 2007 at Southbridge. But I moved the store in 2011 to its current location at the Scottsdale Quarter. The store is a flirty, girly little gem and is a great place to shop and socialize.

SLBC: You also do all the buying for your store. How do you find the fashions?

Lisa: I buy the majority of clothing for the store at west coast shows in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, California. I attend these shows more than four times a year to carefully choose items that are both fashionable and affordable.

SLBC: Are in-store events, like Fashion’s Night Out, an event you had in September, a big part of your retail marketing plan?

Lisa: In-store events (such as Fashion’s Night Out) are a welcome addition to Elan’s retail marketing plan. Besides this event, we also host trunk shows, store anniversary parties, concierge events, and seasonal sales events.

SLBC: How do you advertise your in-store events?

Lisa: These events are advertised by Facebook and email marketing primarily, as well as word of mouth.

SLBC: Your storefront window is always decorated according to the seasons. Have you found this to help boost your walk-in traffic?

Lisa: The front window of Elan always changes on a month-to-month basis. We view the window as a unique opportunity both to highlight our clothing as well as draw people into the store.

SLBC: Is there a retail marketing technique that has worked best for you?

Lisa: The best retail marketing technique that has worked for us has been all of them! Meaning, the combination of magazine ads, our Facebook page, e-blasts, and product pulls for magazines means that the public gets a constant flow of information as well as pictorial of the store and that means greater saturation of the market. Bonus tip: Not every marketing tactic will work for every business. First determine who your target audience is and then devise a retail marketing plan that best fits their personality and behavior. Most importantly, never stop switching things up and experimenting to keep your marketing plan fresh and relevant.

SLBC: Do you have any upcoming events you’d like to tell us about?

Lisa: Elan will be hosting a Concierge Night in January. We are still working on the date. As well, every year we do an anniversary party in April and that date is also TBA.

SLBC: What’s the best fashion tip can you give to our readers looking to update their winter wardrobe?

Lisa: If a person is looking to update their winter wardrobe, the best way is to add in a new great jacket, colorful or patterned scarf, and boots. Jackets (especially longer versions to the knee) are incredibly versatile and can be worn with any style underneath. Pick a jacket in a basic color for more bang for your buck. And you can never go wrong with a great pair of black boots to the knee. Again, this “winterizes” your look but can still translate to spring.

SLBC: Can you give us any hints as to the upcoming 2013 fashion trends we’ll find in Elan Style?

Lisa: You’ll find that the big trends for spring will focus on femininity, which means cinched waists and the peplum. Mod looks will be feminized by slight ruffles and an emphasis on the female waist. Think vintage glamour with a bit of rebelliousness thrown in. As well, black is the surprise color of spring. It will be tied in with vintage appeal and the continuation of the peekaboo. Both in the leg and the arm area. Prints will be playful and very global, translating into a mixing of prints in a very constructed way within a piece.

Thank you to Lisa for sharing her retail marketing tips and fashion expertise with us! If you’re ready to update your winter wardrobe, you’re in luck because you can enter to win a $75 gift certificate to Elan Style in our 12 Days of Shopping Local Giveaway. Enter daily for your best shot at winning!

Images courtesy of Elan Style

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“As we believe, we behave,” says Karen Gridley, a local business owner known as “The Excuse Removal Expert.™” Through workshops and one-on-one sessions, Karen does exactly what her trademarked name suggests: She removes her clients’ excuses as to why they’re unmotivated, unfocused, and unable to achieve their goals. How does she go about this? As a “Recovering Excuse Maker™ herself, Karen understands firsthand what excuse makers don’t get and the bridge that is necessary to improve performance.”

Throughout the years, Karen has built a strong brand for herself using a variety of mediums, including social media, books, blogging, and speaking engagements. With a successful career doing what she loves and a lot of wisdom to share, we thought Karen would be a great person to go to for local business advice. She shared her story and her recipe for a successful personal branding strategy with us below:

Karen’s tips for creating your personal branding strategy:

1. Be relatable. If people can relate to you and your message, they’ll be much more receptive to what you have to offer.
2. Be unique. Being different, like having a unique name or tag line, makes you stand out – and be remembered.
3. Be open. A huge part of a successful personal branding strategy is having a willingness to change.
4. Be consistent. Spread your message throughout every avenue you can, but keep it consistent and clearly defined.

Business: Karen Gridley: The Excuse Removal Expert™

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Karen, you call yourself “The Excuse Removal Expert.™” Can you tell us how that name came about?

Karen Gridley: Thank you for asking. One day at the start of a workshop I said, “Hi, my name is Karen and I’m a recovering excuse maker. People laughed and loved it so I continued using that phrase. From there it seems people began calling me “The Excuse Removal Expert.™” I simply adopted how people were relating to me and my message.

SLBC: For 20 years you were a chemist. What compelled you to make such a career change?

Karen: Being a chemist was a path that I started a long time ago. Like a lot of people, I found myself continuing in a direction previously set in motion though no longer meaningful to me. Familiarity can be dangerous and also leave a feeling of un-fulfillment. It was a choice to continue doing what was comfortable by familiarity only and living an unfulfilled life, or take responsibility for my life, move through the fear, and create a fulfilling life. Looking at it from that perspective, the best choice was obvious and I decided to follow my heart, take action, and make the desired changes.

SLBC: Have you found your background in science to be beneficial in your new career path?

Karen: You know how science is about the process? In science, to produce a visible change, the invisible first has to be altered. To get different results, in any capacity, whether science or life and business, modifications from what is currently being done are required. Changing the mindset and behaviors are also a process. Too many people/businesses attempt to only deal with what is on the surface. This approach leads to a continual influx of the same problem. Facing the same problem over and over again becomes a vicious cycle that takes the focus off of productivity, effectiveness, and success and instead results in high stress, blaming, and interpersonal issues that impede growth and progress. The benefits my clients reap from my science background is the ability to get at the heart of the matter, practical tools for daily application and moving through the transformation necessary to achieve their goals.

SLBC: What training or education has helped you to develop your expertise as The Excuse Removal Expert™?

Karen: Well, in order to be “The Excuse Removal Expert™” I first was an expert in making excuses, blaming, and complaining (said laughingly) – though that was never consciously sought. Expertise is a combination of formal and informal education, training and, of course, experience. The key, however, for any expert is about what the person continues to do. My commitment to on-going self-development in a variety of capacities allows me to heighten my awareness, expand my skills, and elevate my game to then serve as a catalyst to help others gain insights, take action, and get new results.

SLBC: You seem to have personal branding down. How did you become successful as The Excuse Removal Expert™?

Karen: Thank you. It seems a key piece to branding is relatability. People connect with the challenge of getting out of one’s own way. Others have said branding is about being remembered and respected. When seen at networking events people refer to me as the Excuse Removal… Expert, Queen, Doctor… whatever rolls off their tongue at the time. That works, as the main focus is memorable and it is also humbling when people share what they’ve learned from me and how applying that has made a difference in their life and their business.

SLBC: Has it been a challenge branding yourself rather than a business?

Karen: It has been said that successful businesses operate with the same values as the business owner. In that respect, the face of any business is the mirror of its owner. In my experience, where there is consistency in the message (every business has a message), application, and the brand, branding takes on a life of its own. The Excuse Removal Expert™ is both a way of life I seek to apply on a daily basis and a business than many individuals, business owners, and businesses rely on to be more effective in their day-to-day operation, decrease stress and improve their interpersonal relationships.

SLBC: Can you give small business owners any advice on how to brand their businesses?

Karen: My coaches taught me to discover my uniqueness and learn to exploit it in the service of others. First and foremost, be true to yourself. Establish a clear correlation between your authentic self and your business. Also consider if/how what you offer is of value to others and are they willing to pay for your service/product. Finally, be willing to take action, gather feedback, and tweak accordingly; as long as you adhere to your values and are consistent with your brand in all aspects of your business.

SLBC: You offer books, DVDs, and audio CDs. How have they helped to grow your personal branding strategy?

Karen: What I’ve learned is that the variety of products and services a business offers are simply avenues or extensions of the brand or the foundation of the business. My strategy is for people to be empowered as they value themselves, get out of their own way, and persist. These three points are the basis in all my tangible resources as well as in coaching sessions, workshops, focus groups, and presentations.

SLBC: With such a wide variety of services, how do you keep your brand consistent?

Karen: This is a great question. Apparently my response to the previous question segues here and to me also parallels in concept. Your brand is the base everything in your business stems from and builds upon. The variety of services and products represent different modalities to address the varying needs and preferences of clients. Consistency as I see it, is simply a matter of encompassing your brand and making the connection for your market. All Excuse Removal Expert™ services and products are anchored in getting you results by getting you out of your own way and removing your excuses.

SLBC: What’s next for The Excuse Removal Expert™?

Karen: Expanding the reach of the Excuse Removal Expert™ message is essential to developing a shift from blaming, procrastination, stress, overwhelm, morale (attitude) issues and complacency to accountability, productive action, work-life balance, effectiveness, greater teamwork and leadership in everyday life and business. The possibilities are endless and I believe the world could benefit from a community of recovering excuse makers committed to staying the course. Ask yourself: Are you functioning as an excuse maker or a recovering excuse maker?

Thank you to Karen for sharing her success story and personal branding strategy tips with us. For more advice on how you can build your brand, check out 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Branding Your Business.

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Ever wanted to start a home-based business? You’d be in good company! According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than half of all U.S.-based businesses are run out of an owner’s home. But getting started and turning a profit can be extremely challenging for home-based business owners. We spoke with Samantha Irwin, co-owner of Standard Wax, about how she turned her favorite pastime into a profitable business — and how you can too!

4 Tips for starting a home-based business:

1. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Trial and error is how you learn and how you get better. [Tweet this]
2. Develop an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Regularly research your industry, your target market, your competitors, everything.
3. Find a good tax accountant. If your business isn’t set up legally, you’re not going to get very far.
4. Hit the ground running. There’s no better way to find out if you have a product people are going to like than by asking them. Take your product into stores, hand out your business card at events, and always listen intently to feedback.

Check out Samantha’s story below:

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Can you start by telling us a little about your business, Standard Wax?

Samantha Irwin: At Standard Wax, we combine the art and science of candle making to produce high quality candles that double as unique decor for your home. Our 100% handcrafted concept was born from a love of luxurious candles, handmade independent wares, and a conscious recognition of the need for candles that are both natural and beautiful. We take a simplistic approach to our designs, from our unique scents and the glass and ceramic containers we create to our minimal packaging. We believe strongly in the concept of repurposing and strive to create one-of-a-kind designs that are unmistakably meant to become a treasured piece of art in your home.

SLBC: Initially, you created candles as handmade holiday gifts for friends and family. How did you learn to make them? 

Samantha: Andrew has been working with ceramics for a while, and I wanted to buy some pots for friends and family. I fell in love with them and decided they would make amazing candle holders. I did a little research, went to Michaels and bought some supplies, and made some candles. Those first candles were probably pretty terrible! People loved the idea so much that we took a stab at selling them at First Fridays in Phoenix. We got a great response. Andrew worked on standardizing the container size to better suit candles, and I did TONS more research on candle making. It’s very much a science that took a whole lot of trial and error to learn. There are books and sites online with instructions, how-tos, etc, but, like anything else, it takes a lot of messing up before you find the processes and ingredients that work best for your specific applications. We wanted to maintain a mostly natural process, and there is surprisingly little information out there on how to do that.

SLBC: In addition to making your own candles, the containers are also handmade. Can you tell us about that?

Samantha: Andrew has been working with ceramics for over 15 years. Each ceramic container is designed by him and made by hand, so each one is slightly unique and different. The containers are truly art. And unlike your typical candle, these containers can be reused in your home as a planter, catchall, penholder, etc., long after the candle has been burned down. We also offer candle refills if you’d like to reuse your container for another scent.

SLBC: At what point did you know that you wanted to go from gift giving to starting your own business?

Samantha: Andrew and I were itching to go on a trip one weekend and decided to pick up and go to San Diego. We thought we’d bring along some candles and scope out some cute boutiques in the area to see if anyone was interested in possibly selling them. Talking to store owners was so inspiring, and the response we got was very encouraging. Seeing that people actually liked our product was enough to get the ball rolling on a legitimate business. At that point, we still had a lot of work to do perfecting our scents and processes. But when we got home, we were so motivated. That’s really when Standard Wax became what it is today. Now, Andrew has a ceramics studio at home with three kilns and I do all of the candles in a studio at my house.

SLBC: What resources did you use to help you in this quest?

Samantha: We really just learned as we went. There was a lot of asking friends and family for advice, a lot of research online, a lot of messing up, and lot of learning from mistakes. Starting and running a home-based business takes a lot of attention to detail. The biggest hurdle for us was making sure we had everything set up as it should be legally. Find yourself a good tax accountant and the rest should be easy!

SLBC: How did you go about getting stores to carry Standard Wax candles?

Samantha: On foot! We participate in local events, go in and talk to shop owners, and drop off samples to stores we think might work well with our product. The most important thing we’ve found is finding a mutually beneficial relationship. It’s better to be in a few stores that fit your brand and style, than it is to be in a ton of stores where your product doesn’t really fit in. Local store owners like to have a connection to the brand and business owners, so we spend a lot of time scoping out stores in Phoenix and discovering new places to sell our candles.

SLBC: How do you come up with new candle scents and do you have any scented candles for the holidays you’d like to tell us about?

Samantha: We have both always been drawn to unexpected scents and things that are a departure from your standard vanilla bean or sugar cookie. We are inspired by the outdoors and really love scents that are natural, subtle, and unique. One of us will say “I want a candle that smells like the ground does when it rains” or something equally off the wall. Then, just like making the candles themselves, we go through a lot of trial and error to reverse engineer that smell, and break it down into the many, many parts that make up any one scent. (The scent described here is our Fresh Earth.) For the holidays this year, we have one new scent called Blue Spruce. It’s simple, woodsy, and spicy. We also feel that our Fig & Pomegranate scent works perfectly for this time of year.

SLBC: Aside from online, where can your candles be purchased?

Samantha: Right now our candles are available at Practical Art, La Grande Orange, Handcrafted Art & Essentials, MADE Art Boutique, Home-Ology, Bunky Boutique, and at many local fairs and events around town.

SLBC: Any company news coming up you’d like to tell us about?

Samantha: We’ll be participating in the Frances Crafeteria Dec. 7 and the Unique LA Holiday Show in Los Angeles on Dec 1-2. We’ll be featuring a limited-edition holiday product at both shows, while supplies last. We also just launched our custom line of candles for weddings. The beautiful, handmade log containers can be customized with your initials and colors!

SLBC: If you could give advice to an entrepreneur looking to start his or her own home-based business, what would it be?

Samantha: Start small and do your research, but don’t be afraid to take risks. We jumped into a HUGE order that most people called us crazy for. It was hard and stressful; someone should have filmed a reality show about us. Maybe it was a good decision, maybe it wasn’t, but we learned a ton in a short period of time. Kind of like going to another country and learning the language as you go! Jumping into the unknown is the best way to learn. [Tweet this]

Thank you to Samantha for sharing her tips for turning a favorite hobby into a profitable business with us! If you’d love to light your home with Standard Wax candles, you’re in luck! You can enter to win a $130 soy candle sampler pack from Standard Wax in our 12 Days of Shopping Local Giveaway! Enter daily for your best shot at winning!

Is your business partnership not going as well as you’d hoped? Don’t worry, all is not lost! A rocky relationship with your business partner is definitely not ideal, but it also doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. We spoke with local business owner, Coley Arnold, to find out how she’s not only been able to maintain a great working relationship with her business partner, but keep their friendship thriving as well. We shared her advice — and her co-business success story — with you below.

Coley

Lindsey

[Read more...]

The Perfect Accent store in Phoenix

Keeping up with the demands of running a business can be a full-time job all in itself. That’s why we decided to go right to the source for some great advice on how you can keep up with the daily challenges of being a local business owner. We spoke with Jo Hale, a local interior designer, about her tips for not only running a successful business, but keeping up with the ever-present daily demands. Here’s what she had to say:

1. Love what you do. Having passion for your career keeps you motivated and more importantly, happy.
2. Stay current. Keep up to date on your industry by doing research and following trends.
3. Never stop learning. Take continuing education classes to help ensure you’re always the one on top, not your competitors.

Jo, understandably, knows a great deal about the ups and downs of running a business. After all, she currently runs two, her interior design business, and her home decor store in north Phoenix, The Perfect Accent. We had the chance to talk with Jo in-depth about how her passion for interior design enables her to stay motivated and successful throughout each year.

Check out Jo’s story on running a business below:

Businesses: Jo Hale Interiors/The Perfect Accent 

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Jo, can you start by telling us about your businesses?

Jo Hale: I’ve had my interior design business, Jo Hale Interiors, for over 39 years. We do everything, including custom furniture, window treatments, bedding, all accessories, plants, florals, wall décor, pretty much anything you could possibly think of or need for interior, exterior, patio, and gardenscapes, we do it! We also offer holiday decorating for homes and offices. Our shop, The Perfect Accent in north Phoenix, is an accessory outlet for homeowners, my interior design clients, and interior designers looking for unusual and beautiful accessories for homes and gardens.

SLBC: You work closely with a design team, can you tell us about that?

Jo: Nadia, Pam, and Debbie are three designers that I often work with on projects. They bring items into The Perfect Accent that we display and sell and I take items to their Scottsdale market and show there. It’s great having a design team because it allows each of us to bring our unique design skills and perspective to our projects.

SLBC: Do you and your design team work together at The Perfect Accent to assist shoppers?

Jo: Yes, usually Nadia or myself are there to give our advice if needed. People sometimes need a little guidance because they can’t imagine how an item will look in their space, so it’s very helpful to have a designer in-store who can assist them. If it’s an item that a client is thinking about buying but they are unsure, they can occasionally take it out on approval because sometimes the only way to tell if you’re going to love it is to actually see it in your home.

SLBC: That’s great customer service!

Jo: Yes, and even if the item doesn’t end up working for them, they remember we let them do that and often come back and look at other items. Good customer service goes a long way in building long-term relationships with people, which is always our goal, whether it’s an actual interior design client of ours or a homeowner who just happened to pop into our shop.

SLBC: Growing up, was interior design always your passion?

Jo: Yes, always. I was recently thinking back to a time in third grade when we were all drawing little triangle houses in class. It’s funny because my houses always had window treatments (which actually ended up turning into my specialty), as well as lamps, flowers by the door, and other decorative things. All my drawings from the time I was very young always had to do with interior design. When I played paper dolls, I cared more about designing little rooms for them than the dolls themselves. Interior design is definitely my calling!

SLBC: So would you say passion for what you do is how you’re able to run two businesses without getting burned out?

Jo: Yes, I think having passion for what you do is the greatest thing. It’s not about the amount of money that comes in, although I do stress over that at times, it’s about loving what I do and meeting the needs of my clients. I never get tired of working and I’ve never seen any home or interior design style that I didn’t like. I’ve seen styles that are really hard for me to get my head around which makes me try to figure out why it was done the way it was… but every single time I’ve gotten into a project and began to look at it from the way the client sees it, I lose myself in it. I let my client take the lead and put the balance into it. So that continually makes it fun for me. That and keeping up with the ever-changing trends in our industry!

SLBC: It seems like continuing education is a core foundation of your business. Can you tell us what you do to ensure you stay current with interior design trends?

Jo: I am constantly taking trend classes, I read literature all the time, and attend seminars to keep updated in color and texture trends. Texture trends are very important and what helps with that is that I have reps come into the store three times a year to bring me everything that is coming out the next year in fabric, so I know ahead of time the colors that will be the biggest trends. I also have reps that keep my paint samples updated through the year. They bring in the newest color wheels and shades so I’m always up to date.

SLBC: You recently went on a study tour to Italy, Spain, and London. Can you tell us about that experience?

Jo: I’ve been on several study tours to England, Spain twice, France, Italy, and throughout the U.S. in New York, Santa Fe, and California. Nadia has come on a few of the study tours with me so we could study art, architecture, and color trends. In each of the countries I’ve visited, I always went to design centers and fabric stores so I could see new fabrics and upcoming trends. In France I had an opportunity to see trims that have been made in village homes since the fifth or sixth century. These generational families are still creating these beautiful trims in their homes. It’s amazing and inspiring.

SLBC: Do you have a favorite interior design tip you’d be willing to share with our readers?

Jo: I think if you are interested in decorating your home, but aren’t sure where to begin, the two areas I always tell people to start with first are the kitchen and the guest bathroom. These two areas are the ones that anyone who comes into your home will see. If they’re nicely decorated and show your personality, people will leave your home remembering the essence of where they were and the experience they had.

A big thank you to Jo Hale for sharing her story with us about how running a business, powered by passion for what she does, has helped her succeed as a local business owner. Be sure to stop into The Perfect Accent to see all the amazing items she has for sale. In the meantime, you can enter to win a $150 Jozefina hand-blown glass vase from The Perfect Accent in our 12 Days of Shopping Local contest. Enter daily for your best chance at winning this awesome prize!

Images via The Perfect Accent

Should your business support a charity? According to an article on the National Federation of Independent Business‘ website, supporting a charitable organization is a great way to show your company’s gratitude. But how do you determine which cause is right for you?

We had the chance to speak with Terri O’Shaughnessy, co-owner of local business Soul & Spirit, about why she and business partner John Kenney decided to support men’s health for Movember. In case you don’t know, Movember is “responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the U.S. and around the world. With their mo’s, these men raise vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.”

Check out Terri’s story about charitable giving below!

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Why is Movember important to your business?

Terri O’Shaughnessy: The main reason John and I decided to support men’s health during the month of November is because my mom died of cancer. I think any way you can bring awareness to this disease, whether for men or women, it’s a great thing. Since Soul & Spirit has a fairly captive audience on Facebook full of fans and friends of our brand, we felt why not utilize them for a good cause. Plus, we’re not only asking people to donate; they get something great in return!

SLBC: What do they get?

Terri: We have designed a T-shirt in support of Movember that has our logo turned into a handlebar mustache. We will be selling the shirts for $25 and from each shirt, $5 will go to men’s health research.

SLBC: That’s great! Can you tell us a little bit about Soul & Spirit?

Terri: Our tagline is “Where living life is your style.” Our brand as a whole, our message, our culture, is just to enjoy life and live life to the fullest. The things that are important to John and I; music, art, travel… you can see a lot of that in our designs. The way we envision living life to the fullest is by traveling around the world, going to shows, appreciating culture, music, and art, and we’ve embodied that in our brand. We also felt that there was a gap in the clothing industry for adults who have outgrown the younger brands but still don’t want to wear Tommy Bahama or anything like that.

SLBC: In addition to supporting men’s health this month, do you also support other local businesses?

Terri: Yes, as a local business ourselves, it’s very important to John and I to never outsource anything. That’s why we use a local T-shirt supplier, a local printer, and we have our labels sewn here locally. Everything we do is here in Arizona; we never outsource! We’re a member of Local First and have an office here in Phoenix. We’ve really started to become a member of the local business community and I think that, in combination with giving back, is an integral part of being a local business owner.

Thank you to Terri for sharing her story of why charitable giving is important to both her personally, and her business, Soul & Spirit. Interested in checking out her clothing line? You’re in luck! You can enter to win a $100 prize package from Soul & Spirit Clothing in our 12 Days of Shopping Local Contest.

Want more information on finding the right charity for your business to support? Check out this article on charitable giving via Mashable.

RJR Investments is truly a family business. Jenilyn and Robert Rincones are not only husband and wife of 7.5 years, but business partners and co-owners of 9 years. The newest member of their staff is Riley, their 17.5 month old son. Together, this family tackles real estate and property management, as well as the management of a construction company. With a toddler in the office every day, how does Jenilyn manage being a mother and a business owner? Find out below!

We had the chance to sit down with business owner and mom, Jenilyn, to speak with her about the challenges and joys of having a child in the office on a daily basis. Interested in doing it too? She had some great advice to share with us on how you can prepare your office and clients for the transition while keeping your little one happy.

Scott’s Local Business Corner: Can you tell us a little about your business?

Jenilyn: My husband and I own a realty company called Home & Country Realty. It’s a full service real estate brokerage offering property management, sales, short and long-term rentals, commercial services for businesses, and consultation services.

SLBC: What do you like best about getting to bring your child to work every day?

Jenilyn: I like that I don’t ever have to leave him with anyone else. Riley has severe allergies… he’s allergic to dogs, many food items, all nuts, milk, soy, eggs… so I don’t have to worry about leaving him with someone who might feed him the wrong thing. I have peace of mind knowing he’s safe and taken care of by my husband and me. Plus, he seems to like being with us all day long too!

SLBC: What would you say is the biggest challenge of having a little one with you all day?

Jenilyn: Definitely getting work done in a timely manner is the biggest challenge. Everything takes twice as long. You have to have a lot of patience and concentration, as well as the ability to multitask. Riley is almost 18 months old, so he’s constantly exploring and getting into things. He likes to hide your keys to the houses you need to show, take things from printers, open the door and run outside, all normal things little kids like to do. The difference is I’m constantly chasing after him while on the phone with a client or doing paperwork. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!

SLBC: How have your clients responded to having a child in the office with you?

Jenilyn: 95% are completely fine with it. Most of our clients pay more attention to the baby than they do to my husband and I… they really enjoy having him there. But I think this has a lot to do with the fact that we emailed all of our clients upfront and let them know that we’d be bringing the baby into the office with us. We did this when I was pregnant, which eliminated the element of surprise. Since most of our clients were prepared for it, they didn’t have a problem with it at all, which made it easier on us too.

SLBC: Do you have any advice to any parents wanting to bring their child to work?

Jenilyn: You have to be highly organized… Post-It notes are your friends. You need to detail every phone call you receive or you’ll forget because you’re constantly being pulled in other directions. Having a schedule that you stick to every single day is huge in making this work.

SLBC: Did you have to do any babyproofing?

Jenilyn: Yes, we babyproofed our office just like we did our home. It’s essential to keeping him safe throughout each day. We have special plugs to cover the outlets and we have hidden the cords to all the office equipment so he isn’t tempted to get into them. We also have special areas designated just for him.

SLBC: So it’s important that Riley has his own space?

Jenilyn: Definitely. He has a designated play area and nap area. As well as a changing station in the bathroom. We also have a fridge and microwave so he can have his favorite foods and a high chair for meal times. It’s important that he feels at home at the office and that he knows where he can play, nap, and eat so he gets that sense of a consistent routine. For example, we get to work around 10:30 a.m., 12-1 p.m. is nap time, 4:30 p.m. we go home, 5-6 p.m. is nap time, 6 p.m. is dinner, 7 p.m. is play time, 8 p.m. is bath time, story time, and then bed! We’ve designated 5-8 p.m. as family time after work each day. 8-11 p.m. is work time again for us if there’s anything Robert and I need to catch up on.

SLBC: How has the workday changed as Riley’s gotten older?

Jenilyn: As he’s grown, having him in the office has become more challenging. It was easier when he was a baby, but we just have to adapt and change right along with him.

SLBC: What have you done to adapt to the new challenges?

Jenilyn: I’ve cut back my hours so he can get more playtime in the morning before work. He gets three hours of playtime in the morning to make sure he gets his fill of running around before we get into the office. We also had to update our babyproofing when he started to crawl and walk. My husband works later to accommodate what I can’t finish during the day. It’s key to find a balance that works for your family.

SLBC: What happens if Riley is sick? How do you handle the times when you need to stay home with him?

Jenilyn: Preparing for these times in advance is the only way to ensure things still run smoothly when you can’t be in the office. We have a computer at home all set up with a backup disk so I have everything I need at a moment’s notice if I need to stay home with Riley for any reason.

SLBC: What has it been like working with your husband for over 9 years?

Jenilyn: We’ve worked together since before we were married, so it’s become the norm for me. Robert is my best friend and I love that we get to spend so much time together. Since we do work so closely together, we’ve really become a team, which is why we’re able to run a successful business with a toddler in the office every day.

Thinking about making every day bring your child to work day?

Here’s Jenilyn’s takeaway tip: Preparation, organization, and teamwork – as well as a defined, set schedule – are crucial to making things run smoothly not only for you but your child.