Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christi Saint Laurent. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christi , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

For me, the key to scaling up is to continually take risks and put myself in business environments outside of my comfort zone. I found it is much harder as an adult to walk into situations and feel like a beginner. Therefore, my tactic to growth is to continually push myself to be in situations that challenge me to grow.

I began Texas In-Laws by renting space in Rosenberg, Texas, as well as, in Round Top, Texas during the Spring and Fall Antique Shows. That put me in environments I knew nothing about. It wasn’t easy, but I found my passion to be in this industry gave me the momentum I needed to get through some very hard days.

These challenging experiences lead me to growing my business. I became a Stockist for creative products and supplies in the DIY Home Decor industry. I would never have been given this opportunity if I wasn’t willing to go into uncomfortable settings to learn from others in this business much longer than me.

Christi , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always loved how different paint techniques can change walls, furniture, cabinets. Anything you can put a paint brush on can be miraculously changed. When I was raising four kids, I began to learn different paint techniques for cabinets and walls. In the early 90’s, I found Ralph Lauren’s River Rock paint. It actually had small rocks in the paint. I was fascinated, and that paint technique was the first of many techniques I have learned since then.

I began my business by finding vintage furniture and transforming it into something amazing with different paint methods. I love furniture with history and a story. I love how I can look at a piece and imagine how to transform it into something beautiful.

What I can give to my customers is support and encouragement to find the “Creative” in themself. To encourage them to start a project and tap into their own creativity. We all are creative, and every creative person is different. That’s what makes creating so great. Nothing is exactly like someone else or something else. I teach how to embrace yourself and not compare yourself to others, but to keep the focus on the growing in technique by practicing.

I am most proud of my brand, Texas In-Laws. My whole life I’ve been fascinated with this state and have immersed myself in it. I love big trucks, a closet full of boots, vintage belt buckles, and trucker baseball caps bought all around Texas at different truck stops. I love to attend rodeos both big and small. During deer season, I’m in a deer blind in South Texas until my work and family force me out. In my down time, I watch Pigman The Series on the Sportsman Channel. My most favorite place to eat is an old diner in Comstock, Texas called J&P Grill, and I never drive past a Buc-ee’s. I just live and breathe Texas in the core of my being. Therefore, I’m able to share my Texas obsession with customers all over the US and other countries, as well, through my life experiences in my projects and work.

Texas is known for its hospitality. Therefore, I build my business on keeping this reputation alive. Loving and supporting others has always come easy to me, and I truly care about my customers and their needs. I believe in fair pricing, and I know how I like to be treated as a customer. So, I make sure to give them the very best service. I make sure my orders are delivered in 1-3 days because we are all accustomed to the fast delivery of Amazon. Quality customer service is my number one value. I never want even one customer to walk away with a negative experience. This value has built my business and created a very loyal customer base. I am very grateful to each one of them.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my presence and audience on social media by hiring a Social Media Content Creator, JustJessMedia. It was too much for me to run the business and manage the marketing side of it, as well. For a small business, it is a large expense. However, I have found the cost was a true investment in my growth. That decision allows me to do the creative work and gives me a platform to daily advertise. Most small businesses will say they absolutely cannot afford it. I would challenge that and ask, but can you afford not to? I would suggest to simply invest in a short term trial period because the results could pay for itself.

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

daily energy and subconscious thoughts effect my life and business. If I think a situation or a person is ‘bigger than me” then it is! I just put a ceiling on my head. If I feel like I am an impostor and I don’t belong with successful talented people, then I will never be among them.

It is literally a daily practice I have in place for myself. For example, I challenge the habitual negative thoughts of a Monday morning. Why does a Monday have to be worse than a Friday? Why can’t I enjoy each day that I am given? I challenge myself to find any day to be a great one! I practice changing habitual subconscious negative thought patterns daily, until I authentically believe it and my emotional state can feel the truth of my belief system. For me, it is the key to success, not only for myself, but for the team I build around me.

I read books, attend events, and listen to podcasts that teach me how to do this. I use these tools to help me grow because when I have authentic high positive energy, it’s contagious to everyone around me, including my team and my customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://texasinlaws.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasinlaws/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasinlaws
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/texasinlaws
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@texasinlaws https://www.pinterest.com/texasinlaws/