Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lydia Carr, Co-Founder of JPI Blanks, located in Lake City, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
JPI Blanks is a vinyl distribution company that services over 200,000 small businesses. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Tell us about yourself
My husband and I opened JPI Blanks from the ground up while he was working what seemed like a million hours with DCF. My husband was never home, and having a newborn at home was very difficult. JPI Blanks was created because I purchased some products from someone and never got them. In the crafting industry, people had to order things from large "buy-in" groups, and half the time, they never got the items they ordered. We wanted to change the industry and show people that there are still good companies out there that you can trust and that would go the extra mile for you. JPI Blanks was developed to show the world that a small business can make a difference in your life and that the owners just want to see you do well and succeed. You don't find that in large corporations; we wanted to change the name of the game.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner would be the thousands of women that I have helped. JPI Blanks is so much more than a crafting company, we are a company that wants to see women do well, get out of situations that they are in that are hurting them, have the confidence to believe in themselves, trust their judgments and know that they are beautiful and can do anything that they put their mind to. I want to remind women of all backgrounds that they are a force to be reckoned with, and with the right tools, they can succeed no matter how many times someone has told them that they cannot.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me would be that you give 1,000% of yourself to people, and they could care less. It's hard to go above and beyond and have a customer spread hate and lies because they didn't get the outcome that they wanted. It's hard to run a business and wear your heart on your sleeve.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Give it to God. He can change things!
- Believe in yourself and have the courage to try new things.
- You will not be everyone's cup of tea, it will be hard for you to digest, but it will be okay.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://jpiblanks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/207806023045523
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpiblanks/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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