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“You really must make the time to step back and take a breath though. On a daily basis too. Take that moment for yourself to recharge and focus on where you want your business to go.”
-Darrin Ward
As new retail business owners in a small town, Darrin and Jane of Shirley’s Country Clutter know first hand what it takes to thrive in rural retail. We asked them to share with us some of their experience, so that other current and future business owners in Brock Township can learn from their lessons and experience. Here are three key things that are helping them thrive!
- Become part of the community
“Our transition to retail store owners has been the best experience of our lives. The support and love from our small community has been more than we could have ever asked for. Shirley’s Country Clutter vision will stay the same, but we will add Jane and Darrin’s flair along the way. We hope to be able to say we have been a staple to this great community for over 23 years as Shirley has been.
Sure, we are the new owners but who are we as people and community members? It’s a slow process to build a rapport with everyone but it so rewarding to be able to get to know the people of Beaverton, the people that have built the community that we are now a part of.”
- Balanced Resolve
“Having the resolve to actually own and operate a business is fundamental. Wondering if we can do this was a question we asked a lot. It takes a lot of time and continuous effort to keep the wheels churning, so to speak. Jane has been a real champ when it comes to all the ‘behind-the-scenes’ business that needs to take place on a day to day basis. Between ordering new products and all the financials, she’s got a tall and continuous task.
We are coming into the summer season so that means our doors will be open 7 days a week until the new year which is great, however, with that you must find a balance where you can enjoy the store and your life outside of the store. Luckily for us, we’re loving our store and all that comes with it. Positivity creates positivity and that’s the atmosphere and energy we want to put out into our community.”
- Use the Tools Available
“Turning to the on-line world of social media was, and is, a priority for us. Opening ourselves up to our new home and community just makes sense to us. Let’s give everyone a chance to get to know who we are as people. We try our best to utilize social media as not only a tool to advertise our products and our store, but as a way to open up and give people a chance to see who we are. Even if it’s a couple of laid back and relatively silly store owners who don’t take themselves too seriously at times. Jane and I are wrapped up in the positive energy of the store, when you walk into the store there’s a certain energy, a feel. It’s a happy place where everyone is always welcome, so let’s translate that energy to our social media. If we can entertain you, even for a few seconds at a time, it’s worth it to give people a chuckle.
We’re always trying to find ways to improve the store and our social media, get a bit more local, and a bit more Canadian content so to speak.” Follow us on Facebook or Instagram at @shirleyscountryclutter or if you have questions about our experience, just email us at shirleyscountryclutter@gmail.com.
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Brock Board of Trade
397 Simcoe Street, Box 29
Beaverton, ON L0K 1A0
705-426-2051
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