We recently connected with Patty Dando and have shared our conversation below.

Patty, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Often I remind myself that if you are not on the edge of fear, then you are not growing. The small business I started over 15 years, Zen Cowgirl, has been a constantly evolving entity and everyday is a conquering of challenges.
Started as a small creative side hobby of vintage resale, our little business has evolved into a full time enterprise that now includes my husband as co-owner and sidekick.
Through all the ups, downs and choices, nothing leaves you shaking in your shoes more than convincing your husband to leave his full-time career to help you build one of a kind pieces of furniture.
But, he said yes. And we continue to soar.
Somehow, as a team, he can build what I can see and what our customers’ dream.
In life, some of us seek stability and become almost stuck in our complacency.
But for us, taking risks is the backbone of our business, through what we create and our desire to grow. And our need to evolve inspires and permeates our personal lives where we both live a dynamic and exhausting existence.
But we wouldn’t have it any other way. Each of us, have such amazing capabilities that might be dormant inside us, but through risk, coupled with faith we can each discover our best and most beautiful self.
And I take this message of support and mentorship with me as I watch friends and entrepreneurs take the leap into the unknown.

Patty, 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?

Zen Cowgirl started as a creative outlook and hobby. My attraction toward the loved and used turned into a resale business that began, with the encouragement of a dear friend, as a booth in the corner of her successful store. Forever evolving, we have grown into a full time business. Alongside my husband, we build and create custom furniture and installations that produce one of a kind results. Using reclaimed materials and thinking outside the box helps elevate our work from norm. We never think it can’t be done.
From amazing farm tables, and kitchen islands all the way to room renovations. We pride ourselves in making your dream come to fruition. Along with the construction and application we add our flair of art and creativity. We are always grateful and honored to our customers who have trust in our work.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

An important factor in our business plan is the multiple revenue streams we generate and support. I think of business revenue as a three legged stool and each leg supports the weight. We are always seeking new ways to enhance our profitability and we re-evaluate current business to examine its worth. Currently we have a workshop and book orders for custom work, have a space in an antique market to resell items and I buy and sell on eBay for added income. My business partner and husband is our builder and hands on craftsman and muscle. He also has a side hustle working as the right hand man for a local successful business owner. Being a two man show limits what we can output because every thing we build is hand made and one of a kind. So we need extra income flow without such dedicated hands on time. Also aside from income generation and profitability we need and seek creative outlets that are a break from some of the stress of deadlines and engineering/building headaches.
Both my husband and I are risk takers and we are always ready for our next step in following our dreams of financial success and personal achievements.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our business is small and local. We meet and consult each client individually. We have built a reputation based on personal relationships and never cease to do the best we possibly can. Even through our mistakes and failures, we strive to be honest and transparent and we stand behind our work. There is never a “all sales final” “no return policy” in our world. We have had to rework and take back many a jobs. We have failed to meet deadlines and have had wood warp and pieces not meet expectations. In every instance we have stood behind our name and did everything possible to make it right. We meet and consult with potential clients at no cost. We will deliver items to your door if need be. We are always respectful and thankful for our current business and work with intention of seeing you again soon. If your budget cannot meet our quote perhaps we can do a project together in the future. Honestly I don’t believe most clients know the dedication and hard work involved in each and every project we do. And that’s okay. Because our goal is to make sure that working with us is and will always be a positive experience.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheZenCowgirl