We recently connected with Cari Crawford and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cari, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I am beyond happy as a business owner! I don’t have to question what it would be like to have a regular job as I had one for 27 years! (if teaching could possibly be considered a regular job ;) After graduating high school I earned my BArt and BEd degrees and spent 27 years teaching in the public education in SD#73. I enjoyed a successful career and realized near the end of it that I was ready for change. I had no idea what direction I was going to take. In fact, It was nerve wracking to think of leaving a secure career that paid well and let’s face it -the job had great holidays built in. I needed to follow my heart however and am beyond proud, thankful and grateful I did.

People often ask if I miss teaching. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on that. I absolutely will always cherish the opportunities, friendships, collaboration, rich experiences and lifestyle being a teacher has afforded me. When I made the decision to re-open my dad’s old antique store it was like the universe opened in reception and with welcoming arms. Within a week of me looking around and deciding I was going to reinvent the store as an antique/artisan market the house on the neighbouring property came up for sale. From my time of deciding what it was I was going to do to opening day was 4 months. July 1 2024 will be the third year anniversary of the store being open.

Cari, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Before I embarked on my post secondary education I grew up in Louis Creek where my parents ran the local grocery store and post office. As a teenager our family ran a fruit stand in Louis Creek (the same property as my current store). An entrepreneur lifestyle has always been part of my life. When I decided to follow my heart after 27 years of teaching this opportunity popped up and I ran with it. The store my shop currently resides in was a well known antique shop ran by my dad and his wife. For 13 years their shop was a favourite stop along the highway for many and after they retired in 2019 the store sat empty – until it called me back home.

My vision was crystal clear. I wanted to carry on with antiques as being the backbone of my shop however I wanted to complement with vintage and local artisanal products. It was very clear I wanted to create a space that was family friendly (of course pets are welcome), had a welcoming energy, a price point for everyone and something to please and intrigue all who ventured in.

I am proud of the shop I have created. I am beyond fortunate to have the guidance of my dad and his wife with the knowledge of antiques. The rapport I create with customers and those interested in selling antiquities is something I am most proud of. I am proud of the fact that I have over 75 local contributing artisans in store and can text or call any of them – the products in store are local and the human connection real.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I would humbly like to suggest I have built the reputation I have based on the fact/reality for me and my business model that people come first. I consider myself a positive and optimistic person and I arrive at work every day super excited to see what the day has in store. I hesitate to use the word customer service as I see it as human connection. I have never myself been a business owner before this awesome adventure but have a lifetime of teaching and education that has scaffolded me as a positive communicator, active listener and problem solver. I am acutely aware that many items that come to my attention are items that usually have or have had sentimental value to a family. Artisanal creations in the store have required that they have summoned the courage to check in to see if it is a fit for the store. It is very important I communicate openly and honestly and create an environment where the interaction ends in a win win (when purchasing items from those wishing to sell and honouring artisanal items).

Doing my best to connect with people with kindness, empathy and compassion is my priority every day. And it’s an amazing way to spend each day.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I am kind of giggling here when I think of managing my team – I would have to suggest that my management skills come from the heart and I am SO thankful for the team I have here currently (and for those who have been part of the team). This whole journey started with a very “non-traditional” view of business or a “business plan” and it was my heart and gut that called me home to Louis Creek to take on this journey and it is that very same energy at play when communicating and organizing this ever growing business and amazing humans who support this venture. As I keep alluding to, kindness, positive clear communication, open-mindedness and humour steer the ship. When I wrote a list of what my perfect job looked like, I literally wrote these words down – humour at the job, room for creativity, opportunity for growth, ability to keep doing what is working well and ability to switch up what is not, ongoing collaboration, ability to shine in area of passion/expertise (and know when that’s not your area to shine). Any “wish” I had for myself I extend to my team. We have recently implemented a monthly evening where we gather to be creative and share a meal at my home. We take a couple of trips together to events such as a local theatre or creative activity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelocaloflouiscreek.ca
• Instagram: thelocal_louiscreek
• Facebook: The Local of Louis Creek
• Other: email [email protected]