We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laurel Pell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laurel, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to provide cute apparel and gifts featuring the Finger Lakes and small farms at a fair price. Sure we can go on Amazon and order a glass or mug for a teacher gift or Mother’s Day, we don’t think twice about buying the cutest holiday sweatshirt from a social media ad so why not try to buy it from a small business? I’m able to select apparel that is comfortable and stylish, press designs using a heat press and sell right here locally or online. I’ve found people love to support local small businesses instead of buying from a big box store, where you don’t know the quality of the item you’re getting. It makes me so happy when people say “ I saw this on tiktok but I’m so glad I found it at this craft market or Etsy site” and I know the quality of the product they’re buying from me they’ll be happy with. That’s my mission, show people you can buy from a small business and get exactly what you want.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up on a crop farm in the “heart of the Finger Lakes” I have always loved where I lived and while growing up on a farm didn’t seem “cool” I’m able to look back and be so grateful for everything it taught me.
I started Laurel’s Country shop on Etsy while in college selling hand painted wooden signs. My dad had part of a barn redone and I was using the old wood, from there I transitioned into custom wine glasses and gift boxes and eventually into Finger Lakes and farm apparel which is when my business really took off.
I fell in love with what I was making, sharing my love of the Finger Lakes and my support for farmers with so many people all over the country through my Etsy shop. When someone buys a Finger Lakes shirt or a support your local farmers sweatshirt at a local market and tell me a little backstory of why they’re buying it I can relate and people are attracted to that.
I’m proud of the girl in college who started a small Etsy shop and never looked back. The customers who have turned friends and support from other small businesses makes everything worth it and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Laurel’s Country Shop.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new customers has been going to markets and just getting my name out there. I don’t want to go to markets forever but I know right now to grow my business I need to get my name and my face out there. I was so nervous to go to markets at first but once you realize every other vendor there started in the same spot or had the same feelings you’re having it takes the pressure off. It’s fun to get to meet people which in turn helps grow your business.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that every market is oversaturated. While this is true I mean how many brands of salad dressing are there? Tons! I used to think people won’t buy from me when they can just get it from a trust bigger brand, but that’s not true. People want to connect and feel better when they support a small business. So while it’s true every market is oversaturated you have to figure out what makes you different than the rest and show people!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurelscountryshop,etsy.com
• Instagram: @laurelscountryshop
• Facebook: Laurel’s Country Shop