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

Cire’ , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have dreamed about having my own shop since I was a girl, I think this was definitely inspired by the fact that I worked multiple small businesses in my home town. It has a historic main street and I have always loved the feel of going into a small shop that is owed locally and curated with love and intention. I have a degree in interior design and have always loved styling of any sort, homes, clothing, accessories, merchandising, etc. I grew up without a lot of money, so I have always been crafty and know how to stretch a dollar in creative ways, and I’ve always been very hands on and not afraid to try new things or make something with my hands.

I started making jewelry and metal smithing full time in 2011 and I grew that business on my own. When I get pregnant in 2017 I was looking for studio space in my home town and the stars aligned.
My mother and father in law were looking to purchase a historic building on out Main Street and there was a perfect space for my jewelry studio in the back. I was so excited. I started taking to my mother in-law about my big dreams of owing my own store front one day- selling my jewelry and other handmade goods; she said “why don’t you just rent the whole first floor?!”. I dawned on me that this was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Dune Gift + Home came about during nap times. After Elsie was born my life changed in so many ways. I took a few months off and planned out everything for the shop’; logo, branding, budgeting, sourcing, displays, POS system, there was so much to figure out. This was a challenge I was so ready for. Even though I had no business degree or experience running a brick and mortar, I knew I could be super creative with my shoe string budget and help from friends and family. My dad and I made all of the store fixtures, I sourced local makers and ones I found on Etsy and Instagram to consign with me for the first year to keep my cost of goods low at first. I filled the shop with my jewelry and other handmade goods. We opened in the winter of 2018 with a warm welcome and great turn out. I was more then I could have hoped for.

Cire’ , 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?

I went to school for interior design as I have always loved spaces and how they look and the way they can make you feel. That is something that has always been at the forefront of my life. I remember the first time I got a chunk of allowance I spent it on new bedding and curtails for my room, I was 10. I lived my life in the art room in school and knew I would be an artist when I grew up no matter what the adults in my life would say. “Fortune favors the brave” is my life motto.

After college and a gig as an Interior Designer in Madison, I realized I missed making things with my hands, and I also became tired of trying to be a designer / marriage counselor to my clients, its a lot for some one in their mid 20’s!
I decided I was going to to the artist thing and work for myself; sold all my stuff and moved back home with my parents in 2011 and vowed to make my small business of jewelry work. I dedicated myself to my Etsy shop, reaching out to shops and doing art fairs almost every weekend. It was hard. I learned a lot about business and a lot about myself. I grew Cire’ Alexandria into a thriving one women show. Got married, had a baby, then created another baby, Dune Gift + Home.

The town of Stoughton where my husband and I settled is so beautiful and has always been an artsy kind of town with small own businesses up and dow the historic main street, a big clock tower and an opera house. I knew when I created Dune Gift + Home that I wanted to bring something to this town that had never been done or seen before. Something fresh, youthful, an experience like nothing Stoughton had. I wanted to fill it with things that people would normally have to drive into the city for. I wanted to create a one stop shop for gifts and home decor that was centered around handmade, fair trade, eco friendly and curated vintage. At Dune Gift + Home we mix old and new with style, flair and comfort that is approachable and fun.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like most businesses we had to pivot in 2020. We had a just a year under our belts and it felt like the rug was ripped out from under us. It was a really scary time for everyone. I was the sole breadwinner in our family and here we were with a shop that had to be closed and no income and a 2 year old. I knew that it was time to put all my energy into getting Dune Gift + Home online. I took that fist week off to get my barring and formulate a plan.
We started to photograph everything in the shop, create a website, wrote a blog and put together ” joy bundles” that were available online, you could send to friends with notes attached. This kept our business alive during the months we were closed. I spent hours packing orders and writing notes, sometimes with tears in my eyes form reading the notes, from feeling grateful and of course, worried about the future. But we made it.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Our social media presence began before we even opened the doors. I knew social media was, and is, a huge free tool that when used right can be a pivotal to business. I stared the Dune Gift + Home Instagram and Facebook with inspirational images. I began to curate the mood and the feel of what Dune was going to be like. I would introduce makers and products that we were going to carry. I would share stories on Instagram of all the progress being made, from inside the physical store, making the shelving units and displays, to going on sourcing adventures. People want a window into your world. They want to feel a part of what you’re creating. We use social media to engage our customers and ask them about what they like and want to see and share information.

My number one advice is to be your self, be authentic, be transparent and have fun with it. Translate that into yours and you will attract the audience that is your tribe.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DuneGiftandhome.com
• Instagram: @Dune_GiftandHome
• Facebook: Dune Gift and Home
• Other: Pinterest –https://www.pinterest.com/dunegiftandhome/

Image Credits
All are inside Dune Gift + Home