We recently connected with Crystal Marie and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Crystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If I could go back in time I definitely would have started my business at the same time. Originally I started my 1st business in 2015. I started Crystal Berry’s which is a chocolate strawberry business. I specialize in Chocolate strawberries, chocolate pretzels, Pound Cake, Cheese cake mousse and banana pudding. I started that business with word of mouth orders, eventually I migrated to social media which in turn brought in more orders. I participated in various pop-up events which was successful yet I got burned out so I put my strawberries on the back burner.

Some years have passed I sporadically took orders, yet I slowed down tremendously. In 2020 I attended another pop-up event which sparked my interest in hosting my own event. At that point in my life I was recently divorced and had 3 kids which took me to a whole new chapter in my life. Originally my store opened in 2021 under the name It’s an experience, that lasted until March of 2023. My partnership dissolved at that time so I moved locations and renamed my store from Its an experience to THE MARKETPLACE.

In 2020 after I attended a popup event I was planning my own event and an opportunity to lease a storefront in Westland mall presented itself. I wanted the store to have the same concept as a pop up shop but I wanted it to be ran like a department store. So when we opened in 2021 into the new location it is the same concept.

Starting sooner would have given me a little more longevity. At this stage I am going through the growing pangs, if I would have started sooner I would be more established by this point. I was in a weird phase in my life between 2017/2018 so starting sooner than 2021 I would have been under a great deal of stress and I don’t see the business lasting because of that. If I started later than 2021 I feel like so much time would have been wasted BUT I feel I would have the same outcome just later in time. So starting at the same time was a good timeframe for me personally.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Crystal Marie. I am an entrepreneur in the Metro Detroit Area. I own a chocolate strawberry business and own a storefront inside Laurel Park Place in Livonia. I got into this industry while planning a pop up event of my own. The option to own a storefront arose and it was up from there. I wanted to have a pop-up theme but to look and be ran like a department store. Owning a store has taught me a lot and discipline is one of them. You can’t jump in head first with everything especially in business. You have to take a step back and evaluate decisions. That was always something that I struggled with, because I will go all in and deal with the consequences later and that is not always wise.

With The Marketplace I provide small businesses with the opportunity to have a space to call home. Some may have just and online presence and need a permanent brick and mortar and some of the business owners would potentially like to own their own storefront and being in The Marketplace can give them the experience of learning the logistics on a smaller scale before moving on to something bigger. My clients are all my business owners, I am the face of The Marketplace, so all problems get filtered through me. If its a broken fixture or daily functionality I may need to intervene which keeps the pressure or blame on me. Simply put its my business and I have to remedy the complaints or issues as one of my responsibilities. I am fairly reasonable, and realize my way may NOT be the best way. So taking suggestions and comments from the business owners is vital to me. I am not successful if my business owners are not successful. The way I hustle / move isn’t only to benefit myself, I believe in The Marketplace and that includes all the business owners, so that is what I feel sets me apart from others, seeing the bigger picture aside from myself.

I am the most proud of the relationships I developed along the way. Being able to network and build relationships is vital as individuals let alone in business. Building strong relationships builds loyalty which helps make the foundation stronger as your building and growing your business.

Its important to surround yourself with like minded individuals. That provides an interchange of encouragement. You have no choice but to be encouraged because those individuals are just as hungry as you and sometimes believe in your vision more than you. That in turn pushes you even more to see the bigger picture.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Trusting your team is vital. When trust is present, people step forward and do their best work, together, efficiently. Your team will have a common goal which will help them collaborate ideas, think outside the box, have each others backs and communicate openly. Growth is positive, and it’s important to be open-minded and willing to change.

Morale can be a tough think to maintain if your energy is off and you take a prideful approach to business. Micro managing is something I personally steer away from, that simply does not boost morale. Although the space is mine I can not function without my team {Business Owners}, so keeping a positive head space and allowing individuality helps boost morale and make the team stronger.

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

The best source of new clients has been word of mouth. Individuals that have been in the marketplace will spread the word and that in turn brings more people in because they have first hand experience. Social media has played a major roll as well in driving in new business owners more so than not due to curiosity of what the marketplace is all about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themarketplacebusiness.com
• Instagram: The Marketplace Business
• Facebook: The Marketplace Business

Image Credits
Not So Cliche Cutie Pie Dresses Uniquely Scrubs Conscious Living Throwin Shade Boutique Stuck 2Up Girl Treasure One Line