Website URL: HollyberryLanePrimitives.com

Q. Give a brief description of your business. What product(s) or service(s) do you provide?
Hand crafted wooden signs and paper mache' box sets.

Q. How did you come up with your business name? Does it have any special meaning?
Hollyberry Lane Primitives was derived out of my love for the primitive style, the simplicity of life way back when, the beauty and love that was put into everything handmade ... where jobs, money and food was hard to come by, but family was always first and foremost.

Q. How long have you been in business, and how did you get involved in this business?
In business since 1990. I have always loved hand crafted items, and one day I thought "Hey, I can do that". So through books and trial and error, I taught myself how to do decorative painting, which evolved into learning how to use power tools and making small furniture pieces, signs, etc. I have to say, my two most favorite stores are Home Depot and Lowes.

Q. What are some of the pitfalls one faces when owning one's own business?
I think some of the biggest pitfalls is having the initial start-up money to get going and the long hours that you have to dedicate to your business to make it successful. But, if you have the passion to do what you love, you find the money, and no matter how tired you get, you keep going.

Q. What is the best business advice you've received?
Never give up, even if times get tough, don't get discouraged, keep going forward.

Q. What would you do differently if you were starting all over?
I don't think I would do anything different, everything path I have gone down I have learned from which has brought me to where I want to be right now.

Q. What are your future plans or dreams for your business?
I would like to be able to rent or own a small brick and mortar store and in addition to selling my own hand made items, I would love to offer other crafters the ability to sell their items in my store as well.

Q. Tell us an inspirational or humorous story about your business?
My inspiration came from my beloved late husband Joe, who always told me that "People will love your stuff, you wait and see" ... and he was right. I know that without him, I would have never pursued what he knew was my passion.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to go into business?
Don't give up, ask for help and advise if you need it ... there are so many crafters out there that are willing to help you be successful. When you become frustrated, as I have many times, get over it and move on, later on you'll think about it and be glad you didn't give up. And never let anybody tell you that you can't do it because you can.

www.HollyBerryLanePrimitives.com