I had the pleasure of interviewing two local business owners. Two neighboring store owners, Gaelle Glass, owner of My Kids A La Mode, and Lauren Teal, owner of My Favorite Things share the same location in the Market District in Tallahassee; therefore; they share some of the same difficulties as well as benefits as local owners struggling to stay afloat. Gaelle and Lauren are presented with several obstacles in owning a business, such as creating your own work schedule, advertising efficiently by promoting and becoming actively involved in associations and groups that do so. Through these interviews, we can reveal what keeps them going and how they became interested in becoming a small business owner to start with. As Gaelle Glass recently moved across seas to Milan, the difficulties of owning a local store from afar will also be confronted and revealed. Lauren Teal, on the other hand, recently moved locations to the Market District, thus is encountering daily complications of rebuilding her clientele in her new location. I will answer such proposed questions as to whether owning a small business is an oncoming trend here in Tallahassee and what role these local businesses play in our community.
Owner Gaelle Glass and childrenJuly 28, 2011 11:00 AM
I, Shelby Meaders, interviewed Lauren Teal of My Favorite Things to get a bit of insight on what it is like to be a business owner here in Tallahassee. My Favorite Things is a gift store specializing in wedding gifts, invitations, and glassware. Shelby Meaders: How did you become interested in operating your own business?
Lauren Teal: My Favorite Things was actually originally a family owned business, which I bought from my Mother-in-law.
Shelby Meaders: Did you always wish to own your own store?
Lauren Teal: I kind of just came across this opportunity as it was family run; however I was interested in owning my own store as I graduated with a degree in interior design.
Shelby Meaders: What aspects do you particularly like of owning your own business?
Lauren Teal: I enjoy working for myself, despite the difficulties of managing my own time efficiently. I work in the store every day. As owner, I often do not get a break from the store. I have to work diligently to get paid each week, unlike others who have a set pay check each and every week.
Shelby Meaders: As you mentioned, you face difficulties managing your own time. What other aspects do you find challenging as owner?
Lauren Teal: You know making your own schedule is difficult. I work over 40 hours every week. My success as a business owner is my own responsibility.
Shelby Meaders: How does your location affect your business?
Lauren Teal: We chose to move MFT to the Market District as it is a growing residential area where several of the stores here are locally owned. We were previously located on Betton Place for 16 years (under my Mother-in-law’s ownership), but as the area started to dull down, we found that this particular area is growing. We have been in our location for just under a year, so we are still reaching out to the community to further promote our store.
Shelby Meaders: How do you promote your business as well as other local businesses? Are you involved in any groups or associations that to so?
Lauren Teal: Along with the other local businesses in this district, I am actively involved in the Market District that promotes our local stores by having annual sidewalk sales and farmer’s markets each week. I am also involved with the 3/50 Project. Tallahassee promotes all of our local businesses online through their website locallyownedtallahasse.com, as well.
I also interviewed Gaelle Glass through Skype on the same date as the previous interview. Gaelle Glass is the owner of My Kids A La Mode who is currently residing in Milan, Italy. I spoke to Gaelle about the difficulties of owning a business from the opposite side of the world and how she feels owning a local business helps boost our community and economy as a whole, in Tallahassee. Shelby Meaders: What made you decide to start your own clothing boutique in Tallahassee?
Gaelle Glass: I found it challenging to find trendy clothing for my two children without purchasing them online. By starting my clothing store, I was able to choose brands that are unique, yet trendy. As you know, we offer stylish clothing made in France, Peru, and other international countries, as well as clothing made from organic cotton and bamboo! I started this store because I knew I was not the only one suffering. Other residents here in Tallahassee wanted fashionable clothing for their kids, where you did not have to travel to find such clothing. Tallahassee needed a local store that specialized in brands that were not found right around the corner.
Shelby Meaders: How does your location in Tallahassee affect your business?
Gaelle Glass: Location is key for owning your own business. The Market District is located off Thomasville Road, which is a growing area in Tallahassee for local businesses. With neighboring businesses that are also locally owned, we support each other. I carefully chose this location on Market Street. The Market District works together to promote buying local products through sidewalk sales and other events. Several stores in this district are also actively involved in the 3/50 Project.
Shelby Meaders: What did you find difficult about owning your own business as you resided in Tallahassee?
Gaelle Glass: Well as you know, my two kids are getting older so it’s difficult to not only work in the store for 40+ hours each week, but to also be there with my children as they are at a point in their life where they are about to start school. I have to balance both being a business owner and a mother of two. I often find it extremely difficult to balance both efficiently. I have to give up some aspects of each job to fulfill my duties as owner and mother.
Shelby Meaders: Now that you reside in Italy, how does that affect My Kids A La Mode?
Gaelle Glass: It’s hard to manage the store from over here in a sense that I cannot personally interact with customers. That is a huge priority with small business owners- customer satisfaction. I can’t be there to ensure that every customer is satisfied. It is something that positively promotes our business, so without me being there over 40 hours each week, I can’t personally communicate with every person walking in and out of the store. It is quite different to manage the store through Skype, especially with the time difference. Just as customers enjoy the one-on-one interaction with the owner, I believe that I get a sense of satisfaction that leaves the store remaining afloat.
After speaking with two successful small business owners that have stable businesses in Tallahassee, it can be noted that it’s not as easy as it is perceived by the community. Making your own schedule each week is not as fun as it sounds. You are only as successful as you make yourself. Through dedication, one can successfully build a business on a foundation that can thrive in today’s economy. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your customers are satisfied. Local business owners do not necessarily have it cut out for them, even if they bought the store from someone else. Regardless, running a business takes dedication. One might not know right of the back, that owning a store interferes with one’s personal/family life (raising children) or that you make make or break your business. Supporting local businesses in Tallahassee is a must in today’s world. The 3/50 Project promotes local buying through a project where it challenges someone to spend $50 at three independently owned stores. Not many know that by spending $50 at three businesses each month, their purchases add up to more than $42.6 billion in revenue (U.S. Department of Labor). For every $100 spend in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If that money is spent in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Also, if that money is spent online…nothing comes back. (The 3/50 Project) By supporting locally owned stores such as My Favorite Things and My Kids A La Mode, we are “saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on.” These statistics are not widely known to our community, so local owners promote this project through flyers in their store.
This insight into the mind of small business owners here in Tallahassee reveals that not anyone can run their own business. It takes dedication, as well as responsibility. As Lauren Teal mentioned previously, you are responsible for your own success as a local business. The complications that owners confront each day are difficult to imagine. On the other hand, the gratification they possess as owners is rewarded through their clientele satisfaction. Small business owners in Tallahassee have much in common in our community as their primary concerns are all relatively related. They care about their business as they care about their customers. It is something one not can find in just any store here, but only in those that strive to succeed as an independent business.
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