Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sharleen Thomas, Founder of Where My Love Grows, located in Calmar, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Where My Love Grows, an interior design studio where I help unhappy homeowners fall in love with their homes and help small businesses create spaces their customers will love to visit.
Tell us about yourself
As a child, my parents had many rental houses, and I would always help them paint and fix them up. I think that's what started my love for design. I graduated from the interior design program at NAIT in 2008. I had a few commercial jobs. But I found I was sitting behind a desk too much, and it really wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. When I left my job in the commercial industry, my dad came to me and asked if I wanted to help him build a house. They had an old renal house that needed to be torn down so they could build something new.
So I hesitantly agreed. We worked with friends of ours to help guide us through every step. I learned a lot of hands-on stuff, like how to install tile and laminate flooring. Also, using spray glue on a windy day is a bad decision and hard to get out of your hair! But I also had so much fun playing with the design elements that went into the house, from choosing the paint colors, flooring, tile, and cabinets. It was so fun to see my vision come to life.
From that point on, I became hooked on residential design and helping clients come home to a space that reflects their personalities, functions for their needs, and is beautiful. My passion lies in knowing every space has potential and creating those beautiful and functional spaces.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is creating the Mother's Day makeover project, where we give a deserving mother in our community a bedroom makeover with the support of our community. We have given three bedrooms makeovers in the last two years.
I am so proud of the work I do, how I can give back to our community, and how we have changed the lives of three families. This project showed me that even small businesses like mine could make a difference in the world.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is juggling the many hats you have to wear. I am a designer but also a mother of three and everything else that comes with running a business: content creator, marketer, accountant, etc.
I find I am constantly learning new things to help my business function and flow better, but also to help market my business on a new level and help me juggle all the balls I am holding.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Here are three tips I would have for anyone starting a new business:
First, I would tell you to be prepared to work really hard and work longer hours to get things started.
Second, I would tell them to make sure they have a great support group of other like-minded entrepreneurs that can help them with business questions. Or just toss some ideas around with someone who will give you honest feedback and can also be your cheerleader when something great happens!
Third, I would have to say make sure you know why and how you are going to serve your customers or clients. Find their needs and ask them how you can serve them, not how they will serve you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wheremylovegrows.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheremylovegrows/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheremylovegrows/
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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