Small Business Success in Johnson County, Missouri
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OWNER: ANGIE HATCH
1. Briefly describe Angie Marie's and the products/services offered.
We are a home decor and plant store that carries all your plant needs including pots, soil and fertilizers and tons of plants. We carry a wide variety of home decor items along with locally made items like crochet, soaps and leather goods. Locally grown market bunch flowers seasonally.
2. How did you get started as a small business owner?
I visited a small business while on vacation in Colorado and fell in love. I thought it would be fun and rewarding to have one myself. Knob Noster was in the middle of a revitalization at the time and I loved it. When the opportunity came to take over an existing shop and put my own spin on it, I took the plunge!
3. What was your mission at the start of Angie Marie's and has that mission evolved over time?
My mission was always to have a store that didn’t feel like a store. To have people walk in and feel like they were visiting a friends home. To be able to bring the outside inside with plants and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels like a friend and wants to hang out. I love the small town shops I visit that feel like that when I walk in and I wanted to create that here.
4. How many employees does Angie Marie's have?
Just me!
5. What is unique about Angie Marie's?
My awkwardness? Kidding, haha. I hope I’ve created a space where people come in and feel like they are home.
6. How much time did it take for Angie Marie's to earn a profit?
Well, I still don’t pay myself, but I’ve never been in the hole either. I’ve only been here 2.5 years and most of it has been a pandemic, so I can’t complain! At this point the money goes back into the building until things are paid off and improvements are made.
7. What has been a significant challenge that you have faced and overcome as a small business owner?
This pandemic! I was only open 3 months before it hit. I have never owned a business before, so learning how to navigate that and a pandemic and being able to get supplies has been an adventure! Luckily, the community has been amazing at supporting small businesses since I’ve been open.
8. As a small business owner, how do you measure success?
For me, success is the people. The ones who become friends, who bring their new babies and pets to meet you. Customers who bring their friends and family and call you “their favorite store”. Its the people who trust you enough to share their happiest and saddest moments with you. These are the people who make our business successful in my eyes and I appreciate all of them. It’s about being a space that people want to come to.
9. What do you like most about owning a small business?
Being able to do whatever I want with it. Whatever whim I want to go with, I can.
10. What piece of advice would you offer to new entrepreneurs?
Oh boy. Paperwork is my biggest challenge. Keep up on your paperwork and taxes. I do not like office work at all. Go into it with open eyes and not thinking you will be rich overnight. It’s hard work to do it all yourself but also very rewarding.