Website URL: BlueBerryHill.biz

Q. Give a brief description of your business. What product(s) or service(s)
do you provide?
I sell hand painted glassware retail and wholesale painted by me.

Q. How did you come up with your business name? Does it have any special
meaning?
I always loved the song Blueberry Hill and over 25 years ago, in love with New England. I thought it would be an easy name for people to remember and generally gives them a good feeling when they hear the name. I couldn't get Blueberry Hill.com, that's a large restaurant who will probably never give up the .com but I can hope!

Q. How long have you been in business, and how did you get involved in this
business?
I started painting in 1985. Girls in my neighborhood had started a Homemaker's Club and we did a craft every month. That started me painting. I was lucky because the beginning of primitive was just coming in style and wood items were super simple to paint.

Q. What was your most successful idea?
My most successful ideas was jumping in there and getting a website at the beginning. DIY made it all so simple. I used to do the craft show routine, hand painted furniture, Santas, glass windows, etc. I used a scroll saw and cut out most of my wooden items. Way too hard work, setting up and taking down at craft shows. I guess I did that for atleast 15 years.

Q. What are some of the pitfalls one faces when owning one's own business?
I used to wait for that one big show once a year, putting all your eggs in one basket. It was always late Sept. and of course, hurricane season. Not good! Then I started having shows in my home, I had a large mailing list. I can't believe it when I watch those old videos of all those rooms filled with painted items.

Q. What is the best business advice you've received?
My best business advise I ever received was when someone told me I should get a website and was steered to DIY.

Q. What would you do differently if you were starting all over?
If I was starting over, I don't know if I'd do anything different. Probably stay out of the chain consignment shops that charge a ton of rent per month and not many sales.

Q. What are your future plans or dreams for your business?
I would love to get a couple more decent glass painters to help out during the busy times. Haven't had any luck with the girls I've had paint. Seems like no one cares as much as the owner for quality work.

Q. Tell us an inspirational or humorous story about your business?
It's always nice when a customer takes the time to email and say they loved their glassware. Also have met wonderful painting teachers, Donna Dewberry was the first teacher that I found way back before she was famous. She was also doing craft shows. We finally got to meet in person and now she keeps track of how my website is doing. FANTASTIC! Two famous teachers I am now friends with - Deb Malewski and Renee Mullins. Great girls I've known for years.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to go into business?
Advice I would give would be to just put in the time. It doesn't happen over night and it takes years of work to make it happen. I am so happy with my wholesale stores that buy from me and grateful for all my retail sales. I don't think I've been caught up for at least 4 years and that's fine with me.

www.BlueBerryHill.biz