Inspirational. Authentic. Collaborative.
Imagine a place hidden to those who can't see it. I know, that sounds silly, but think Harry Potter and the train to Hogwarts (there I go with trains again...) Platform 9 and 3/4. Enchanted Spirits is a shop you don't find until you're ready; honestly calling it a shop does it a disservice. The owner of Enchanted Spirits, Kathy, mentions her vision of Enchanted Spirits becoming an experience, but the truth is that it already is. When I walk in, I can breathe. Really breathe. Everything that's going on outside evaporates, and I can focus on, well, nothing. I don't have thoughts while I'm at Enchanted Spirits, I have feelings. I feel like walking into one room or another then I feel like picking something up; there's no inner dialogue interrupting me. I feel, and I do.
So who was behind this mystical place of safety, warmth, mystery? I would have to wait to find out as my initial interview attempt was postponed--this is where follow-through comes into play. I almost passed on an interview that put a real person to the lofty image of entrepreneurs that we've been studying. Kathy is intelligent, well-spoken, ballsy, persistent, a lit fire with no signs of stopping. My words can't do her justice, and neither can my slapdash interview, but I know we can all find value in what I did capture.
Forgive my shaky camera hand and the fact that this recording is essentially the middle of a conversation that started before the camera was rolling and ended several minutes after I hit stop. Without further ado:
Kelly, I really enjoyed Kathy and her willingness to give her time. Most individual business owners shy away from the camera, but she did not. I see why you state "evolve" because it really evolved into a "real life" example of starting the business. I see she did not have the numbers readily available or describe their twenty percent customer base, but they have their gratitude cards in which they can keep track of those customers that shop multiple times along with those that may come in annually. I did not do this assignment, but I really enjoyed your effort on this one.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to my blog: http://sonjasevolution.blogspot.com/
I think it is really cool that Kathy was willing to give you a personal interview with her. Like the person above me states, most business owners tend to avoid cameras and interviews at all cost. I think it is very interesting that she wants the shop not to be a shop but more of an experience for her customers. The fact that she seems to care more about making her customers just being in the store rather than them just buying something from off the shelf really speaks volumes about Kathy and will definitely help her go far. I didn’t do this assignment so I don’t have a link to give you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Sonja and Nick! I was also incredibly pleased with the time Kathy gave me and how personal she got. I've found a lot of people want to give simple "yes" "no" "I don't know" answers, but Kathy had a "let's go, let's do this" no holds barred attitude. It added up to an interview with lots of value for all of us.
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