We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Cronin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I am a happy, fulfilled, creative business owner 90% of the time. I enjoy the opportunity to impact all parts of my business from merchandising to marketing to accounting. I love the freedom of a non-restrictive schedule and the ability to say yes to my own ideas. Sometimes, though, the 10% creeps in and I start to wonder what this is all for. It’s no secret that the post covid economy has been difficult to navigate. The retail industry went from a complete shut down, to 2 record breaking years and now we are in some sort of strange limbo. The economy seems fine for some people and not fine for others and there is a undercurrent of uncertainty. For me, uncertainly breeds anxiety which in turn makes my long-term goals seem super far away. I have to remind myself that I am an obstacle hurdler and a smart risk taker. I am a dream chaser and my business is a reflection of all those things.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started Rustic Arrow with a vision and determination to open a small business that would benefit my family and my community. Since 2016 our vision has been to create a fun shopping environment, introduce new trends and help emerging brands grow. We proudly carry over 80% female designers, Fair Trade and brands that give back. We have evolved into a family run business and an important part of the Freeport business community.

Our Mission is to, whenever possible, provide ethically-made, sustainable boutique accessories and apparel. We are constantly seeking out new and exciting ways to partner with Maine makers and support female-owned businesses. It is important for me and for my staff to be able to connect to the products that we carry. It’s more than just seeing the face behind a label. It is about being able to tell personal stories about the origins of a company or how we support an owner’s mission. We have become a sounding board and a launch pad for many local makers who are new to the retail market. Also, since opening, we have seen a lot of small business adopt similar models and practices so we are confident that what we offer is what customers want!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Freeport is a seasonal town so while tourism is important, so is having local support during the winter months. It has been really important to gain the respect and support of the community. I have worked very hard to build meaningful relationships with other customers, other businesses and organizations. I am motivated and influenced by other likeminded business owners who are honest and driven and who want to see other succeed. I think customers and the community really respond when they see businesses who support each other rather than compete. That is not to say that competition doesn’t exist. Financially, it is important to capture as much of your market segment as you can. I feel like I have been able to do that by continuously trying new categories, having really solid visual merchandising plans, and paying attention to my customers’ needs and wants.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I am in my 40s so I have a love-hate relationship with social media! In my opinion, our social media presence is average but our content and our audience is authentic. We might now have the flashiest reels or use the expensive filters but what our customers can count on is what they see, they can get… No one will ever say that the green shirt they saw and loved is really blue or the jewelry we just posted in gold is only in stock in silver. I pay attention to the social media analytics but I don’t always agree with the suggested strategies. I’m not opposed to paying to boost a post but I draw the line at buying followers. In the back of my head, I understand that I need a social media marketing person on salary. In fact, one of my goals is to improve my engagement. However, I want it to happen organically. Maybe that’s wishful thinking but in the meantime I will accept and appreciate the following that I have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rusticarrowmaine.com
• Instagram: @rusticarrowmaine
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/rusticarrowmaine

Image Credits

Jessica Webb Photography