We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Lloyd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.
Alright, Julie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
As with most business ideas, Sissy’s Sensational Succulents was not one that just popped into my head one day nor did I need to figure out all the steps on how to make it a reality. It was, and still is, more, much more, a process. I’m sure many other entrepreneurs can relate to this but the “idea” of your business, what it’s going to be, how it’s going to look, how it’s going to go, etc. changes constantly. But for me the idea stemmed from my lifelong love of creativity when it comes all things plants, flowers, and antiquing.
For over thirty years, (don’t let that age me), my “hobby” and my peace of mind have been split between playing in the dirt and sourcing out some of the coolest antique items. I’ve always found my happy place in gardening, floral arranging, and just being able to get really creative by creating something beautiful out of beautiful things! I started to really “dig in” when helping one of my close friends at her family farm and business Taylor’s Market and Greenhouses which gave me experience and knowledge well beyond my years. Along with that, I’ve always had a love and fascination with “old” treasures. I have been collecting antiques since I can’t remember when and have always had a passion for the hunt of some really unique and specific items that are hard to come by.
Keep in mind, this was all just my way to relax while I was working full time for our area’s community college- I never thought one day I’d actually own my own business combining both of what I love! Once retirement started to creep up, I started really thinking seriously about what the heck I was going to do with all this newfound free time (anyone who knows me, knows my brain goes two miles a minute so sitting still and “relaxing” for the rest of my life didn’t actually sounds like a great retirement plan at all)!
That’s the backstory and foundation, I’ve set the scene! Now the actual idea behind Sissy’s Sensational Succulents and what we do started when I needed a gift for my newly married nephew. He and his wife had just moved into a new house and I was trying so hard to find that “perfect gift”- you know, the one that is meaningful? Yes, that one. I started thinking of something they’d love to have around the house that reminded them of the time they had built together prior to marriage. And that my friends is where the first succulent arrangement, carefully crafted by Sissy’s, came about! I found an awesome old truck that would look great within the walls of their new home and arranged it with beautiful faux succulents (no green thumb for live succulents at their home and 80% of most homes).
Ding! Ding! that’s it. So the idea was born and the timing was right, so what now? My inner dialogue was through the roof as always- I had no idea how to start a business. Should I even start a business? I’m entering my 60s! Will people buy my stuff?? Maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should. Alright fine….we’ll just TRY it! I buy containers I like for I may have to keep them. Then I ask my fellow flower lover and friend, Elaine, if she wanted to keep me company through the journey and create with me! Oh my, she’s one of the best decisions I ever made.
Now, Its show time. My daughter hosted a craft show at her place of employment and asked me if I’d be willing to give it a go and I said sure why not, jumped in head first. We started with just a handful items, succulents that I’d never buy now, and a go-getter attitude (with a hint of nervousness and imposter syndrome). You know how they always say, “I had to spoil the ending, but it all works out”, well yes, it does. The first show was a hit! So…we did more!….and more!…..and more!
Four years after our first “show” we did as a favor to my daughter (a.k.a. our Social Media Consultant now) and here we are- a full schedule of shows for the year and custom orders sprinkled in the mix. I couldn’t be more grateful. A lot of businesses happen like happy little accidents like this. Remember, I just needed a gift for my nephew and now, here we are!
Julie , 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?
I’m Julie and I started my own business as a creative, Sissy’s Sensational Succulents! We create one of a kind succulent arrangements in vintage and unique containers! Each of our pieces tell their own story and are made with the highest quality faux succulents. From boho to rustic, we have something to fit everyone’s vibe. No arrangement or container is ever the same as another. We carefully curate our selection of containers by many trips to antique shops, thrift stores, yard sales, anywhere we can find those “one of a kind” pieces. Our personal favorite projects are custom made items, complete with a story that can be told for years to come. Whether it’s your father’s belt wrapped around a rustic pot or your furry friend’s dog bowl after they crossed the rainbow bridge. Our goal at Sissy’s is to bring you something unique and a beautiful display of something others may have originally seen as ordinary. We want to inspire others to love what you do because that’s exactly what we do.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Personal connections to everyone we interact with. My business partner, Elaine, and I put customer service, kindness, and personable touch at the top of our list. And that’s not just with customers who are coming to us with the intention to buy, it’s everyone- the vendor fair goers at our craft shows, the people we interact with when out and about, fellow business owners and creatives. It’s all about building a community and leaning on that community to market our business, products, and services the most organic and true way possible- word of mouth. Our clientele know that our products, services, creativity, personal touch, and experience are all streamlined and of high quality. Do they know this from us telling them? No. They know it from their friends, their family, and their interactions with us. We’re not telling customers what Sissy’s is all about, we’re showing them.
Any advice for managing a team?
Scratch the managing a team part here because it doesn’t really apply to Sissy’s Sensational Succulents. BUT, let’s talk about morale and how to maintain it, especially as an entrepreneur! We have a slogan/tagline in our business and it is “Do what you love”. Now, you may have heard others say this infamous saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Well anyone who has ever done what they love or owned a business knows that that is a bunch of bologna! As entrepreneurs we wear all the hats, even the ones we don’t want to and are constantly having to learn and step out of our comfort zones. I feel this holds very true, especially in my case of pursuing entrepreneurship after retirement age! It can be very scary for people to “start somewhere”. Where is somewhere? And in an ever-changing world with technology, trends, and accessibility to things online, somewhere can seem really, really far away. But, I would encourage every single person who reads this article to know you can make your own starting point! Whether it’s at age 25 or 75, whether it’s because you have a dream or just need a gift for your nephew- there’s always something to believe in if you truly love what you do! When we keep that in mind and at the forefront of every arrangement we make, every vendor show we’re at, and with every customer we meet, our morale is unmatched!
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