More Than WE Know

According to a study by the U.S. Small Business Association, only two out of three small businesses survive the first two years. More than fifty percent close within four years. That’s why, when I see a small business that has been around for 19 years, I stop to take a closer look.

What were you doing in 1988?

One thing is for sure, you weren’t surfing the internet, twittering, or pimping your MySpace page. Eunice started her business, The Little Things long before business 2.0. In that time she has successfully transitioned from 100% brick and mortar (or craft sales and boutiques!) to 100% online.

Here is her story.

Eunice, tell me about your business.

My shop The Little Things is full of one of a kind re-purposed, recycled treasures for your home and to wear. Some can be considered altered art, collage, re-purposed shabby chic or cottage style treasures for your home décor or to wear!

What is your best Holiday item?

My best holiday item would have to be snowmen! Who does not love a snowman?

What motivated or inspired you to start your business?

I started my business over 19 years ago out of a need!!

I was divorced with four children to raise and no child support! I knew that day care would eat up most of my income , so I decided to work from my home. I created all types of items, selling at craft sales, and in boutiques around the country.

What keeps you motivated?

What keeps me motivated still today is the love of making and designing! I still enjoy it everyday! I took a year off from creating to manage a coffee shop and realized, I have to create things because it is who I am!

How did you fund your business?

When I first started, I started on less than a shoestring, working for a year on next to nothing. Until I got a call from someone at our state capital that had heard about my business and offered me a grant!! That gave me a boost! I received a grant and also attended our local collage on Small Business Management .

Who is your target market?

My target market is customers that want one of a kind items for their homes or to wear!

What percentage of your business is online? What is your ideal percentage?

At the present time I sell only on Etsy, as my other “job” right now is a faux painter. Which I have been doing for six years now, it is a way to be creative also!

Where do you get your customers?

Many of my customers are repeat customers. I know that having a Flickr account, blog, and MySpace has helped boost sales!

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge when working full time at my home (raising four children alone) was for friends and family to realize I was WORKING. And just because I was at home did not mean I was free to help them , or go do things with them !

What is the best unexpected thing that happened to you?

The best unexpected thing to happen to me would have to be someone from our state level calling me to see if I wanted a grant for my business!!

What do you wish you had known when you started?

Everything has been a “lesson learned ” and has been a great tool for me ! All of the ups and downs , craft sales that bomb and how to market my things better to improve my sales !

Do you still have children at home?

All of my children are grown now , with the exception of my youngest at age 20 still lives at home.

What is the biggest challenge of being a work-at-home mom?

When my children were younger it was a challenge to get everything done and yet keep up with all of their needs.

Growing up there were a lot of times when the kitchen table had some painting project on it, or they had to help with a craft sale, or do chores at home so I could get thing done!

I know now that they all learned a lot from it and some are entrepreneurs now!

How has having children helped you be a better entrepreneur?

Learning how to balance working out of my home and raising children all at the same time forced me into improving myself and skills to be a better entrepreneur. Over the years it builds a confidence in you that no one can take away!

How has being an entrepreneur helped you be a better mom?

My children were the reason I kept pursuing my dream!

What advice do you have for other Women Entrepreneurs or Entrepreneur-wannabe’s?

I think that anyone who wants to have their own business first of all needs to want to do it enough to realize it will have to be a big part of your life. And to have a love for what you make. It is the passion that will get you through the rough times. So if you have the desire, start with that and the rest will come. You have to take the first step!

To see more of Eunice’s re-purposed treasures visit The Little Things.

To get my special report on 7 Steps to Sustainable Success for Women Entrepreneurs -> Click Here.

If you would like your business profiled on More Than WE Know please contact me at Liz (at) Morethanweknow (dot) com.

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