We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jameshia Weaver Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jameshia below.
Hi Jameshia , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I was in the nursing field for 13 years. Some days I didn’t know how or what to do , I remember my school called me to the office because I couldn’t afford to make a payment on my education, I cried real tears because all I knew was my dream was to become a Nurse because it was my passion. And I refused to give up on This dream I had FOR ME!
Between Financial Aid, Loans, Grants , no sleep I was Tired of just getting through.
Times became tough, With all of that I was still A wife , a mother of 3, a student and still trying to remain an individual through it all.
I remained humble and told myself to “not give up on you regardless of how you feel about the day to day experience”. Because God will make a way.
I woke up and told myself that I’m gonna conquer this dream and I started Bedazzling Crocs, Making Nurse Totes, Tumblers, Websites and all because I refused to not meet another finish line that I had for me!
Because my mentality was always “it doesn’t have to be expensive to be comfortable and cute”.
One day the doctor I worked for said “Jay, bring me a pair of those scrub sets you’re wearing, because they are too cute”.
I DID JUST THAT! —— and didn’t charge her!
After that I had the entire unit dressed in The same brand. At that moment I knew this wasn’t just a hustle but this was “A Business! A Brand”.
So I took that opportunity and ran with it.
The next month I purchased a trunk load, every color and style I could imagine. I drove around to every office in town selling my pitch!
Some brushed me off but most wanted to work with me! And guess what! It worked.
I say that to say this! I am now the proud owner of a retail stores and I also offer wholesale , retail and bulk sales!
This is my story! My Testimony!
I am now in a position to assist nurses and healthcare professionals Starting their own Scrub Businesses on a BUDGET!
To the small business owners my advice is “You may have to Start Slow!~~~~But at least get started!
Along with my Complete Scrub Business Startup Package, I include the mentorship, I coach you through the process of the success, provide you the tools you need to gain contracts and help you Grow your Hands on Business!
A quotes I have lived by over these past 10 years is,
“Success might be taking me a lil longer because I’m doing this by myself!
But it’s coming”.
Thank you,
Jameshia Smith
Owner
The Nurses Station
Jameshia , 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?
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What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I started this business off of a simple “vision” which then turned into a goal, and now a business.
I started off literally selling Medical Scrubs from the trunk of my car.
I promoted myself via word of mouth and social media. No team no assistant no knowledge of “Marketing”.
I started making sales slowly but surely.
I would literally promote myself all day, all night because I wanted the “city” and the world to know my name.
I realized quickly that growing my clients too more than a Social Media post or a flyer.
I started going into businesses, healthcare facilities, salons, you name it I was there promoting my business.
Don’t get me wrong it took time to build my brand and grow my business and yes it was hard . The first year of business I had day where I felt like “I’m ready to give up on this dream because it’s not making any progress”, but my Grandmother told me one day something I will never forget , she said
Jameshia “Don’t confuse movement with progress! Because you can run in place! And not get anything done.
And I took those words to heart and everyday since then I have been determined to me My Own Testimony.
From that day to this one I am the person making this dream reality!
I create my own content, I build my own platforms, I handpick my own apparel, I communicate with my clients , I pack the orders , I ship the orders , I deliver the tracking info, I complete each consultation call, I show up to each meeting and I stand behind my brand. Me, Jameshia Smith.
Customers like to feel “at home” when they shop small businesses.
The comfort and open communication is what sets us “small business owners” apart from the “big box stores”.
I pride myself in allowing my customers to feel comfortable and ask questions prior to their purchase and with that simple method my clientele is faithful and continuously growing.
I love what I do and I wouldn’t change a thing about this journey I am traveling to success.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I remember when I started my first business after sitting on a dream for 5 years. I needed an investor so I reached out to someone I trusted . They agreed and I ran with it!
Me, my partner and our investor!!!
Percentage rates 35/35/30
I knew I was gonna win! Because this was my dream!
The startup cost required almost 90k so
I worked full time and they agreed to match every dollar!
I invested every dime I had into this dream!
4 months later! this business was opened!
On that day I left my Job , my career, everything I had pushed and worked for Just to reach that dream.
Every dollar and every ounce of energy I had I invested in this business.
All I knew was I wanted to be an entrepreneur! And that was what I was going to be!
2 months in and the business I had dreamed of was booming!
Then guess what!
BECAUSE I DIDNT KNOW THE LEGALITIES OF BEING A BUSINESS OWNER!
EVERYTHING I DREAMED OF WAS ABOUT YO BE TAKEN FROM ME!
I received a call from the investor saying “Well im selling my percentage to your partner , now your partner will own my percentage (%65) So your best bet will be to sign off.
I didn’t understand what was going on because I was ignorant to this!
But because the business was profiting they felt they could run the operation without me!
(THE ONE WHO BUILT THE VISION)
2 days later I signed off on the business, Removed my name, took my payout and drove away!
When I tell you I cried I did that!
I sat for months sad, depressed and hurting because all I could think was
“This was my vision ”
“This was everything I’ve ever dreamed of”
This was MY IDEA!
Just to have that very thing taken from me.
God Kept me!!!!!
I watched that business fail tremendously after I left! Because the passion that kept the business afloat (ME) was gone!
The business shut down and went up for sale in a matter of 3 months after I left!
But let me tell you about my GOD!
He said “My Child I Got You”!
I took that payout and I invested it!
I realized that I needed to experience that HURT in order to HEAL!
I started 2 business of off that failure and took those proceeds to start a 3rd one!
I told myself that I WILL NEVER TRUST IN MAN OR GIVE UP ON ME EVER AGAIN!
I say that to say this!
I am Jameshia ! The CEO, the secretary, the assistant, the policy writer, the decision maker, the package handler, the shipper , THE BOSS!
I took that experience and taught myself EVERYTHING about being a BOSS and owning a business!
My hustle and dedication to my scrub Business speaks for itself.
So when you see me Promoting, when you see me Thanking God , When you hear me giving motivational speeches, when you see me on the platforms branding!
It’s because I KNOW WHAT I FEELS LIKE TO LOSE!
But now I know what it feels like to Win!!!
And nobody will ever take that away from me again!!!!
The biggest lesson I learned in my journey of entrepreneurship was “never allow the people in your circle to get you boxed in”.
I am now the Sole Owner of my Medical Scrub Business The Nurses Station, this brand was envisioned, created and built from the ground up by Me.
No one can take the credit and no one can take it away from me and for that reason I will not fail.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenursesstationllc.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/thenursesstationllc
- Facebook: The Nurses Station or The Nurses Station Wholesale https://www.facebook.com/theescrubplug
- Other: Support us on Etsy🎉 https://www.etsy.com/shop/thenursesstationllc
Image Credits
Wendell Smith Jr , my Supportive Husband for being here every step of the way and being the biggest supporter. Pauline Mabry , My Grandmother for always believing in my dreams. My children (Kaden, Kendell and Kyla Smith) for motivating me to never give up.