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

Paige, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

I learn best from experience and as a business owner, it just takes time to get experience. Precious time. I have learned so much in my four years of owning this business. In fact, I would say that the past four years have been the most thought provoking, mind challenging years I have EVER been through in my life. I thrive off of learning which is a great trait for an entrepreneur like myself. If I were to go back, I would first connect with the local community to find grant programs and incentives to help with startup funds for small businesses. We could have probably had some assistance with the initial start up costs because let’s face it, they are expensive. Another thing I would change would be to set aside time for just myself to really thoroughly look through my books each week and keep up with the odds and ends with my bookkeeping which was initially neglected. This would have saved me a ton of headaches when searching for sales reports instead of feeling like I always had to catch up. The last thing I think I would have changed was to mentally realize that the people who are going to support you WILL show up. You truly find out who your biggest supporters are and I am so thankful for my family and friends for supporting me the whole way through.

Paige, 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 went to School at Johnson & Wales University and got a degree in Culinary Arts as well as Business with a background in Wine. I have always loved food and drink and love to try new things.

When I moved back home, the opportunity of purchasing a local business fell right into my hands and I took the leap. I was 23 years old and boy do I remember thinking “what am I getting myself into?”. It has been worth every single moment and I am so thankful for the opportunities that have come my way.

Kelsick market is a small locally woman owned business in Gloucester Virginia. It provides a great atmosphere to hang out, a small cafe style restaurant and a specialty foods market. I am most proud of my community and the opportunity to be involved in a local main street. It has been the most challenging yet rewarding thing I have ever done. I am blessed to call Gloucester Main Street home.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I would say the biggest moment where I had to pivot in my business was when we learned of this thing called “COVID-19”. HAH! Funny looking back on it but I had to be so creative with my business in this moment. I had only owned the business for a year when this devastation hit. We persevered and made it through only due to my community chipping in and filling in the pieces when everything seemed to be falling apart.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My father has helped me through this entire Journey. He has certainly been my inspiration, mentor and trustee with my business. I would have never been here without him. Through renovations, money struggles, staffing issues and much more, I always could count on him to be there for me to help me every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kelsickmarket.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsickspecialtymarket/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelsickmarket/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kelsick-specialty-market-gloucester