When I grow up...

June 13, 2023

I didn't go to college... when I graduated high school I was DONE with school and then I just couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. Up until the last few months I still didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up (and I'm 42 years old, LOL) and then it clicked. I own a small business with my mother in law in my little village town of Middlebrook, VA. We opened The Middlebrook Mercantile August 1, 2019. I had no idea how to be a small business owner. I had been a waitress in high school and all of my adult life had been in office work. I was working at Marks & Harrison in Staunton and dreaming of being the Pioneer Woman. The store, then dubbed the Middlebrook General Store had been closed for almost a year. It was up for sale, but no successful buyer had come through. They (I'm not exactly sure who "they" are) were going to sell it at auction. I had driven by there twice a day for almost 6 years and it broke my heart to see it empty. Remember I told you I aspired to be the Pioneer Woman?! I was talking with my mother and father in law about what they thought would happen to the store, etc. and Carl asked me why I didn't buy it? See, I loved to feed the farm crew out of the back of my car on the weekends (again, just like Ree Drummond does) but didn't think I could run a business. So I told him they should buy it and run it. He said no. Then one day he asked me to do some research on running a business. So I started researching and seeing what needed to be done. After a meeting with my in-laws and my husband it was decided that my mother in law would buy the store. She owns the building, I own the business. I quit my job at M&H and we opened the Middlebrook Mercantile on August 1, 2019. My mom and dad volunteered at the store 2 days a week and Janice and I were there the other 3 days. It was truly a labor of love. My parents stopped volunteering in October of 2021 when we hired our first employee, Holly. Holly is a nurse in the PICU at UVA full time, but helps at the store 2 days a week. We will celebrate Holly's 2 year "Mercaversary" this October. My mom still makes the homemade desserts each week. Janice and I now rotate every other week she's there Thursday & Friday every other week and does a breakfast the 2nd Saturday of each month. We have some community volunteers who pitch in and help when we are super busy and the BEST customers you will ever find that do the same when needed.

Fast forward almost 4 years later and I have suddenly taken an interest in marketing. I want to build this business to its maximum potential. I'm not trying to branch out or make it a chain. I want to see this store thrive and survive. It seems these days it is becoming harder and harder for the small businesses or the "mom & pop" stores to survive in this economy. Social Media is where it is at! In April I decided to do daily videos of what each days special will be. That is WAY out of my comfort zone, but it seemed to really get attention and my customers told me how much they enjoyed them so I still do them each day. I don't get so nervous when I do them, but do watch it a few times before I post it to make sure it's good enough. I am all about marketing webinars, books, podcasts, etc... I told Garrett a few weeks ago, I think I know what I want to be when I grow up. He is always so supportive! I said I think I want to get a marketing degree. Now, is not the right time in our life for me to go back to school. We have too much other stuff going on, 3 kids at home, the farm and the store, oh yeah and Garrett has a full time job also. You know, life is happening here. So I just read and listen to anything I can about marketing and building businesses. This is just proof that you are NEVER too old to follow your dreams. When I was considering quitting my very lucrative job and opening the store, I would go there and pray and ask God that if this was what I was supposed to do then he would make it happen. It hasn't always been easy, but obviously He has made it happen the last 3.5 years. God and this amazing community I get to call mine. So, if you are into marketing and know of some good resources, hit me up. I would love to hear what has worked for you or suggestions you may have to bring in new business and put the Mercantile on the map.