We recently connected with Jen Enck and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jen, thanks for joining us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Asking friends and family for support is definitely something I have struggled with. I have had to change my mindset about it. I do art shows locally in Arizona so mostly I use social media to let my friends and family where I will be doing my next event. I’m so thankful they support me by sharing a post or showing up to check out the event. Not only do these actions support me they are also supporting hundreds of small business/maker friends they are also selling their work at the event. I’m so proud of my fellow makers and I get excited to share their work. I realized that if I didn’t share the info, it would be hindering others and not just myself from growth and potential sales.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Sure! I like to say I am a creative trapped in a bean counters body! I work full time in the automotive accounting industry but I actually went to school for art. Being creative is my true passion and I love making all the things! In order to give myself that creative release and supplement my income, I started making items to sell at local art events in Arizona. I started selling as Drinks and Crafts in 2013. All the items I make and sell are sassy and give the customers a chuckle. It keeps it fun! In 2018, I added a wholesale division called Dandy Like Candy. My Dandy Like Candy products are sold in over 250 stores around the country now. I’m most proud of my ability to pivot when I needed to such as during Covid when all events were cancelled. That’s when I really pushed my online wholesale side. My latest endeavor has been adding a subscription box called The Snark Box. It’s a quarterly box that contains snarky, sassy and smart assy items made my myself and other small businesses. I love being able to share my love of fellow makers and small businesses in another fun way instead of just at events!

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

I joke that I am a serial entrepreneur. I love the whole start up process from concept to launch. It’s challenging but really shows you how much grit you have. Being an entrepreneur is definitely not for the weak! Years ago I had a margarita machine rental business and it was one of my favorite businesses that I ever started. During a time of growth, I was also offered an amazing opportunity in my career and made the tough decision to sell the business before I was ready to let it go. A buyer happened to fall into my lap at the same time so I took it as a sign. I did stress to them that if they changed their mind about the business to please let me know and I would buy it back. Sadly they closed it down shortly after buying it because of time constraints and never contacted me. I’m disappointed I didn’t do more to try and save the business. My advice is to dig deep and know for sure that you are ready to sell so that you have no regrets. As a true entrepreneur, you will always have a new business idea but be sure you are truly ready to close a door before you open the next one.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

All of my businesses I have started on a shoestring budget! I know that doesn’t work for everyone. Entrepreneur life is already hard enough. I didn’t want the added stress of starting a business with debt. All of the money I make, I put back into the business and then buy any new equipment I have my eye on with profits I have made. It’s helped me to keep my eye on the prize when accomplishing my business goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/jennifertoldme?fbclid=PAAaZWiY58rWuDSat7WP28GlNvUPjSIgMwQ-t8RsyRLsRDr2afio-kzQnnbNQ_aem_AXo-Qc-gpFva4Tj1PMjwmfsjbu4gneFCQH5CtW0Y9iqZ21sJrxWB3cuZUU6XZ9-5g1A
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennifertoldme
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferenck