We recently connected with Jaime Cronin and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jaime thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

My first job was as a dishwasher for a cafe/restuarant when I was 14 years old. I am the younger of two siblings and as soon as my sister was out of the house with a job I wanted to do just that.

I continued working in restaurants, from dishwasher, to busser, to waitstaff. I worked in restaurants until I was 26, right before I bought and took over Simply Sunflowers from my aunt. I am a frim believer that everyone should be required to work in a restaurant. It teaches you so many skills that can translate into literally any and every business field you could find yourself in the future. I learned how to multi-task, how to prioritize, customer service, staying cool and calm when under pressure and how to work as a team – to name a few.

Restaurants, man – go work in a busy one and if you can hang, you can do anything.

Jaime, 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?

My name is Jaime Cronin and I am the owner of Simply Sunflowers, located on Main Street in Plymouth, NH. Simply Sunflowers is a Jewelry, Gift and Accessory brick and mortar and online store, that offers eclectic, hand-selected products.

I graduated from Bentley University in 2009 where I majored in Marketing and proceeded to get my masters in Elementary Education at Plymouth State University in 2011 (thinking that I may want to become a teacher – I was really all over the place).

My aunt, Cheryl Avery, originally opened the Simply Sunflowers in 2010. During her time as owner I had helped out in the store and assisted her in selecting some of the product she carried. I was living in Portsmouth, NH attempting to find a job teaching on the seacoast, while working as a server at the Portsmouth Brewery.

In 2013 she was ready to move on and presented me with the opportunity to purchase the business. I jumped at the chance to live and work in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and officially became owner in July of 2013.

At Simply Sunflowers, I try to source the majority of my products from either US based artists/companies or global Fair Trade organizations. I try to offer products that you don’t see at your typical jewelry and gift store and that are reasonably priced. The goal is for anyone to be able to walk in, find something special for themselves or a loved one and leave with a bounce in their step.

I try to create an environment that is welcoming and fun. I want myself and my staff to greet everyone with a warm smile and for every person to feel welcomed and appreciated.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses

I bought Simply Sunflowers from my aunt. She was generous to owner-finance the business for me, with a four year loan. It was an overwhelming time for sure. I don’t think there is any route, whether you acquire a business or start one on your own, that isn’t stressful and scary. There is a major learning curve, a lot of floundering, then you get your footing… then you lose it again.

My suggestion is to just keep going. Make a list of what you need to accomplish – and the steps to get there – and every day just tick away at that list. Do your research, talk to peers in the industry, don’t be afraid to be a beginner.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

Two major takeaways from business school that have proven to be true are 1. You can’t be everything to everybody. Create a vision and stay in your lane. 2. Your best marketing tool is World of Mouth.

Focusing on Word of Mouth – people are only going to truly talk about your business when you do one of two things, 1. Disappoint them, or 2.Exceed their expectations. Being mediocre and running your business like everyone else is going to get you no where. So make people feel special, create a way to differentiate yourself from others in your market. I have found that offering impeccable customer service, being friendly and kind goes a really long way. Connect and immerse yourself in your community, giveback, create relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simplysunflowersnh.com
• Instagram: @simplysunflowersnh
• Facebook: @simplysunflowersnh