Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sabrina Barron. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sabrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career
There are a couple of things I would change about the educational system. 1. I would place a greater imphasis on teaching trade skills. One of the skills training I would bring back are Home Economics, which would included but not limited to basic sewing (mending or heming and replacing buttons). I would incorporte balancing a bank account along with budgeting and saving money.
Sabrina, 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?
Hello, my name is Sabrina, I am the owner of Red Daisy and Company. I was raised in Athens, Texas where the shop is located. I was taught to sew at a fairly early age. I advanced my skills in high school and even further advanced later on in my adult life. It was useful in raising three daughters and has led me to running a small business.
This all started as a hobby and grew into providing personalized gifts for people who heard of my skills through word of mouth. I know that the internet has provided great growth in the way of small business advancement. I believe nothing beats good ole word of mouth from happy customers.
I have recently moved back to my hometown after living elsewhere for 25 years. It is hard to pick up and move a business once you are established, but it is possible. It was amazing to me how many of my customers followed me and have continued to support my business after the move.
I like to think I am more about bringing joy and a smile to someone through a personalized gift than a small business owner.
When I am helping a new grandmother pick the color threads she wants to use on a blanket or helping a daughter pick the perfect earrings for a mothers day gift. Helping teachers put together a gift for their students that doesn’t leave a huge hole in their pocket, Or bringing back memories by using a grandfather’s shirt to make memory pillows or blankets. In my opinion these are the things that make owning this shop worthwhile.
I’m not saying it is all sunshine and happiness. There are times when things don’t go so smoothly. The embroidery machine may jump and cause a design to stitch crooked or spelling a name wrong. Or how about the time I set the heat press to high and burnt through a transfer. It just comes with being responsible for providing quality. Not just in the work but in the experience.
I have been asked why I used “and Company” in your shop name. At first it was just Red Daisy, but then I wanted to give others a platform for their talents to be seen and shared with the community. So, I added “and Company” and haven’t looked back. When you leave Red Daisy and Company, I want you to feel good about the local women/men you help to provide for their families and know you received a gift or purchase that you won’t find just anywhere. We have a local artist, woodworker, leather craftsperson and several other artisans have one of a kind items in the shop for purchase. I hope when you are leaving you will be planning your next trip back and sharing with your friends and family.
Red Daisy and Company offers personalized gifts for every occasion. We offer embroidery, screenprinting and newly added direct to garment printing. My shop provides embroidering logos for businesses to anything, caps, shirts, tumblers, bags stickers and so much more. The shop offers women and children’s apparel, a mens section full of caps, knives, mens soaps and shirts. There is an offering of home decor such as candles, pillows, kitchen towels, frames and even a few kitchen gadgets.
I am very proud of my brand and the logo that is used to represent my business. The logo was created out of love by my daughter Sarah. I asked her to come up with something she felt represented me and what I wanted Red Daisy and Company to represent. So when you see that big Red Daisy it’s me and my team, the smaller daisies represent all the people and artisans I want to encourage to follow your dreams. The green vine is to remind us to never stop growing and reaching for God’s guidance in all that we do. The bright yellow background is representative of the light and joy that Red Daisy wants you to feel each time you shop with us.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about my shop and our offerings. We look forward to seeing you soon.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I would say the event that caused the biggest ripple effect in both my life and business would be a time when my husband was incorrectly diagnosed and fell fatally ill. I watched for thirty-five days as my husband fought for his life. It happened so quick and yet it seemed like eternity, the waiting and not knowing when I would hear the Code Blue called followed by his room number. Earlier in the week he had been diagnosed with having the flu. Due to him being highly allergic to Tama-Flu he was sent home and instructed to stay hydrated and use Tylenol and Aleve to easy his symptoms. This went on for three days and on the fourth day I woke to him telling me he needed to go to a ER. We arrived at the hospital and while I parked the truck. He was inside where his lungs collapsed and his organs began shutting down. The events over the next 35 days forced me to evaluate my world.
My business was put on the back burner until I was able to walk back into my sewing room. Sewing allowed me to think, it calmed my nerves and helped me sort my fears. Somedays I didn’t remember sewing, I was just mindlessly going through the familiar motions, listening to the humming of the machine. I found it soothed my soul and let my mind rest.
I found comfort and healing from my faith and the one thing I knew how to do and do well. So I slowly began taking small orders again. Before I knew it I was back to providing shirts for our local high school. I began taking cap and other orders for a oil and gas company that was close to where I lived.
Fast forward to today and I can see how my family, friends and those loyal customers pulled me through a very low and dark time in my life. I believe that is why I feel such a passion for helping other artisans and small businesses promote and succeed in their dreams and talents. You never know when they may need to reach down within themselves and rely their talent to pull them through dark days. I will forever be grateful for God’s hand on my life and affording me the talent to sew and create for others.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I have been blessed by the people that surround me and help to keep my shop running. I would say the biggest thing that keeps us working as a team. We are in it together, if something needs painting or fixing. If a large shipment comes in and it needs to be priced and stocked. I am all in, right along with my team. I feel it is important to show appreciation for the little things as well as the obvious things. I mean little tokens of appreciation, not just words.
I had a boss once that taught me the art of appreciation for her team. She would roll up her sleeves and jump right in to help the team meet goals or quotas. It didn’t stop once the goals were met. she would write a note, or share her success because she knew that we helped her get to the top. That boss taught me how to cheer on the other person and keep animosity at a low level.
A handwritten note will go a long way to rekindle the motivation and keep confrontation at bay in your team. If you’re out and about, bring back their favorite drink, Ask them to work late then surprise them with a nice meal at the shop.
I am a true believer in TEAM and encourage everyone to contribute.
Contact Info:
- Website: reddaisyboutique.com
- Instagram: @reddaisycompany
- Facebook: Red Daisy and Company
Image Credits
Red Daisy & Company