We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cyndi Cote. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cyndi below.

Cyndi, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

Since we are a business with a lot of one on one help, we hired 6 employees before opening. Some were kids looking for a first job, some were professionals looking for a “fun” second job and also a couple retirees. We liked the diversity of the staff and everyone’s excitement to start a new business. Training was the 2 weeks before our soft opening. There was a lot of crafting, but also great social opportunities for everyone to get to know one another. The hiring process is quite a bit different these days. We have been open 9 months so training is “on the floor” with customers. New hires, unfortunately, do not have as much time to craft and socialize. We have created training packets and a more streamlined guides in place to help new employees learn quickly how to help customers.

Cyndi, 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?

Pinspiration is a craft studio like none other. We are not workshop based, meaning customers can come on their own time and make any of our 55+ projects. Couples can paint and sip (BYOB) and choose canvas from our collection of 250 choices. There are tons of projects for children as well. We have play date packages and summer camp coming up. Parties at Pinspiration are the best! Kid’s themed parties including tea parties, pirate parties and SPLATTER, team builders and bachelorette parties are among our favorites. We keep with what’s trending on Pinterest! This means that our inventory is INSANE, but it is all worth it for customers to have the space to be creative at their own pace. I am very excited about this business model because it makes Pinspiration stand out among the competition. We also have a Jackson Pollack inspired splatter room. It was the first of its kind! Starting a new business is never easy, but I want people to know that in your 40’s is not too late to start a new adventure. Believe in yourself and your skillset. Love what you do!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’m sure that you would guess that the best source of new clients is word of mouth and social media. Social media has completely taken over all other types of advertising. I have reached out to influencers and local “things to do” bloggers to come in to craft and just post about their experience. This has been time consuming to research but the most fruitful approach to marketing. We have passed out over 5,000 printed coupons and have gotten maybe 3 back. It was astonishing how print media just goes to waste these days.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding wise, everything just fell into place. The housing market was hot so we pulled money from equity. Interest rates were amazing so our house payment barely changed. I took that as a sign from God that we were going to be okay. Pulling hundreds of thousands as a HELOC is scary, but it was a much better option than an adjustable rate SBA loan.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.pinspiration.com/mesa
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/pinspirationmesa
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/pinspirationmesa