We recently connected with Tiffany Christoffersen and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

As the daughter of a successful small business owner and entrepreneur, you could say the mindset was passed down. At an early age, I wanted to own my own business, be my own boss. I never thought it would happen but 2022 has felt like a dream. One day in January, I woke up and felt like it was my turn. I spent an entire month dreaming up ideas, I was determined to make it happen. My goal in life has been to show my kids that even someone like me, with determination, dedication and hard work, could make something of themselves.

I’ve had a few small vendor businesses in the past, worked retail for two decades and have the best mentor in the world, my Dad. Working under him at his company for the last 18 years and working for a CPA over the last year, seeing entrepreneurs come in for their taxes, some younger than me, and they were making it big in the small business world, it pushed me forward. I felt like it was time for me to do something. I contemplated on how I could take the things I love the most and my experiences, to build something that was mine, something bigger than me.

In the past 10 years I was an artist and crafter, creating odd and unusual pieces to sell at vendor events with the Kansas City Horror Club. Horror movies and crafts are my true passions in this life. I’ve met so many talented artists and creators over the years. I felt inspired to bring them together in one place to sell all year round. Why not? Taking the best horror inspired and eclectic artists from KC and giving them the coolest shop to sell in all year.

I made a post in the Kansas City Horror Club vendor page on Facebook and began my market research. I was taken back by the immediate response from the community. The options in KC were limited for these artists to sell in a shop. Several had pieces in different antique and vintage stores but there was rules or specific things they had to sell or couldn’t sell. I didn’t want to put any restrictions on art at my shop. I asked around, checked rates at various consignment shops and learned how the market was operating. Then I put one foot in front of the other, set up all the proper business requirements and got financed. 3 months later I found a shop!

The journey has been incredible!

Tiffany, 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?

Black Rose Co is a woman owned, small business. I believe in supporting small businesses and artists, like myself. Getting here took determination and dedication. Not every day has been easy but it’s worth it!

Black Rose Co is a niche, oddities, and eclectic gift shop in downtown KC. We support local artists by allowing them to sell their weird and unusual art, apparel, jewelry, decor, and other unique products.

If you like strange, we’ve got it! If you like witchy, eclectic, boho style decor, we’ve got it! Jewelry, apparel, artwork, yes! And the best part, everything is sourced or made by local artists and small businesses! Black Rose is a small business that supports small businesses.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building up my social media presence was crucial to bringing in new customers. I utilize Facebook groups to reach more people with similar interests. Posting nearly everyday, sharing videos of products and inventory. I have a background in graphic design, which seems to help when I create images for posts but I’ve had to learn what is more appealing to customers, including time of day when posts go out. Paying for advertising through promoting posts has helped as well but being on a tight budget limits my spending to smaller promotional campaigns.

Facebook and Instagram have become my main social media outlets. I also post to TikTok and Snapchat. The best option is to go where people are.

My best advice, is never get discouraged by negative comments and don’t engage in arguments with trolls. Your best bet is to ignore the naysayers. Take their comments as an opportunity to learn but don’t engage. Having an appearance of professionalism online is important. Be grateful and humble online.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Knowing the right people and welcoming new people into my life has helped me out tremendously in this market.

I started this journey as a small vendor, doing pop up markets around the city. Meeting artists and creators along the way. I didn’t know it would become the most crucial part of building my business until later. Networking with vendors and building a reputation in the vendor/artist community has helped me to meet my goal of getting enough vendors to sell in my shop.

Hand to hand networking, promoting my shop by talking to everyone, with flyers, at events. I’ve probably handed out thousands of business cards in the last few months. Word of mouth is essential.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackrosekc.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackrosecon
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/blackrosecon
• Other: TikTok: blackrosekc Snapchat: blackrosecon