Being a business owner on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is like being a jack of all trades. It is a delicate balance of lining your belt with the tools necessary to get the job done, painting a pretty picture and having the courage to create something wonderful.
- First, you will need the right brush. This is your niche, where you feel comfortable in doing what you know best — like a trusty old paint brush.
- Second, the paint and the colors come into play. In this case, I’m referring to the branding and marketing required to communicate your vision and draw in your clients.
- The third, and perhaps most important, element is the courage to put the brush to the board.
Looking back, if you would have asked a 17-year-old Haven where she would envision herself in the workplace, owning a small business definitely would have been on her radar. Growing up, my parents owned a small garden shop in Ocean Springs. There, I experienced firsthand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship but also recognized the beauty in it.
After opening Wood & Wine Design Co. in 2017, I quickly realized that as small business owner, work ethic was essential. You must be ready to roll up your sleeves and put in the effort. The harder I worked, the more my business flourished.
Maintaining a healthy balance between work and home life is much easier said than done. This is where things get tricky. Through the support of my family, I was able to find the time to grow my business while fulfilling myself creatively. Everything else fell into place.
HAVEN’S ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS:
- Be fluid in your business plan. Don’t for one second be afraid to reinvent yourself time and time again. Be ready to acknowledge that the market is changing and it’s time to adapt.
- Go with what you know. Start simple and small; there is always room to grow as you learn.
- Take the extra 10 minutes to talk to the people who walk through your door and genuinely get to know them. They are your business.
- Be sure to set social media boundaries for yourself. Being active and ready with a quick response is great, but personal time to reset also is important. In a content-driven world, I often find myself refreshed and more energized to post after a brief weekend of being “logged out.”
- Believe in yourself and your vision. Recognizing the tools and talents you possess is the key to success.
Haven Hale Lyons is owner of Wood & Wine Design Co. LLC, located on Government Street in Ocean Springs. Reach her at (228) 217-6759, and learn more at www.woodandwinedesign.com.