​Author: Patrick Callanan, BSU student

​I interviewed the manager Tim Flaherty at Pilgrim Skating Arena (PSA). The owner of the company is Tim’s brother, and Tim was kind enough to answer the questions in his brother’s absence. It is also worth mentioning that Tim and his brother did not start this business. It was founded in 1974. The current management has taken it over in recent years and the rink is running more smoothly and professional than ever before.
 
 I began by asking why he chose this line of business. He instantly points out that he did not choose this line of work; he is helping his brother by providing his management expertise. According to Tim, “This organization was set up as a nonprofit to give the youth in the area a place to play hockey”.
 
As I mentioned in the preface, the company was founded in 1974, but recently taken under new management. He then goes on to discuss the problems the company has endured while operating during 2020. He attributes the difficulties to the restrictive guidelines, which limits the amount of people in the building at a time, and the added cleaning efforts. 

I then asked why a customer would choose this skating rink over any of the competitors. Tim said that there are two main reasons why a customer would choose Pilgrim Skating Arena. The first is the location, because it is located directly off the highway and next to the Derby Street Shops in Hingham. The second is the product, which the arena provides ice rentals, skate sharpening, and select items in the pro shop. Many customers will come to Pilgrim Skating Arena to check for the products they are looking for before driving to a shop that is further away. The number one way the skating arena brings in new customers is word of mouth. I then asked Tim about the influence that technology has on the business, and he admitted that currently, the arena does not capitalize on the potential of social media. Going forward he discussed the potential of doing ice rental booking online, rather than over the phone. I finished the interview by asking Tim where he saw the business in 6 months and he gave me an answer that rang true to most people reading this article, “Operating without any COVID-19 restrictions”. 

Visit Pilgrim Skating Arena at 75 Recreation Park Drive in Hingham, MA.

Contact them via:
Phone: 781-749-6660
Email: info@skatepilgrim.com
Website: www.skatepilgrim.com
Instagram: @pilgrimskatingarena
Facebook: @pilgrimarenainc

​Author: Evan Murphy, BSU student

​Growing up in Rockland, walking home from school through the center of town always had me passing the same buildings for years. Every once in a while, some of the places would go out of business or change hands, but many have been there for as long as I can remember. One of those businesses is Rockland Athletic Supplies (RAS). It has always been a fitting name, as it is deeply connected to the community. Doing various sports throughout my time in middle school and high school, both of which were right down the street from the RAS store, meant that I was constantly coming into contact with their products. After having such great experiences with them in the past, I was very happy to be able to get a chance to talk with the owner, Johnny Medlin.
 
Rockland Athletics was established more than 30 years ago, and focuses on printing, designing, and producing personal apparel. It is a family owned and operated business, and it was originally founded by Medlin’s father.  Medlin was born and raised in the South Shore, having been born in Marshfield and is currently living in Pembroke with his family. Because of this background, Medlin has made it a point to focus on that family aspect. Medlin said that he prefers to be very involved with the company, because he wants it to be like a family. Making sure both employees and customers alike are happy and treated well is one of the major day to day goals that is emphasized.
 
The community has always been a big part of Rockland Athletic’s way of operating. They take pride in doing everything they can to maintain a positive relationship with the town of Rockland and the South Shore as whole, and are continuing to do everything possible to continue to grow the positive relationship. They treat every order and customer with the same amount of respect and care as possible, whether it's a simple personal order or a private order from another business. Attending and sponsoring events is something Medlin makes a point of doing. They strive to give their customers amazing service, making them so satisfied that they tell others about the great experience they had. Because of this, word of mouth is their best and preferred form of advertising. They take pride in their ability to meet the needs of their customers in a timely manner.

​One of the biggest challenges Rockland Athletics has faced in recent times is that of COVID-19. Obviously, everyone is affected fairly heavily by it, but because RAS is so heavily focused on personal and welcoming in store interactions, they have felt it hard. They also had to close temporarily during the outset of the outbreak, further impacting them. While they are open now, their ability to welcome in customers is somewhat limited due to social distancing measures, and there are still many people who only go out to outdoor places or only shop for necessities. The pandemic has provided one opportunity, however, as they were able to print custom masks.
 
In the future, Medlin is looking forward to things returning to normal so he can get back to giving as many customers as possible the best possible treatment. Although the name Rockland Athletic Supplies might imply a focus on sporting goods, and indeed it is a big part of their history, it is only a portion of the business. The business has been branching out to focus on various clients from restaurants, small businesses, and corporate accounts throughout the South Shore. They continue to strive to serve more aspects of their customers’ needs. 

Visit them in person at 320 Union Street in Rockland, MA.

Contact them via:
Phone: 781-878-6481 or 781-878-6506
Website: https://rocklandathletics.com
Facebook: @RAS320
Instagram: @rocklandathleticsupplies
Twitter: @rocklandath 

​Author: Kloe Joseph, BSU student

In a time where “almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction,”[1] but only 10% of these people with a substance abuse disorder seek professional help, the need for a shift in the therapeutic industry proves dire. There is no denying the intrinsic link between mental health and the presence of a person with a substance disorder as many as “20% of Americans who have depression or an anxiety disorder” are also afflicted by a substance abuse disorder. Yleis Engerman, a licensed mental health counselor and alcohol and drug counselor, is fully aware of these statistics and the real-world repercussions they pose. Engerman began her journey with mental health at the age of sixteen after the passing of her childhood best friend, seeking therapy as a means to cope. Now in her adulthood, armed with an education and years of experience, Engerman is establishing herself as a facet of change slowly revolutionizing the idea of therapy within the scope of addiction and what it means to seek help. 
 
Engerman is the private practice owner of My Self Oath (www.myselfoath.org) located in Brockton, Massachusetts. During the height of the pandemic she, like most others, found herself with a large amount of free time. However, like many Americans during this time, she was worried about her job security, so she took the initiative to not only create a contingency plan but to do so with an issue that she is truly passionate about. Making no waste of this new free time, she began work on creating her business. In its nascency, Engerman had expected the business to amass a small number of clients, hoping for around five of them. Her expectations were met and surpassed by threefold, when she started off with more than fifteen clients. While the prospect of having many clients interested in her service was a positive, it also proved to be one of the toughest challenges as well. This is due to her innate desire to help others through her practice, which can be difficult as she is only able to see a certain number of clients at any given time, while others make their way onto a waiting list. Though Engerman does utilize methods of advertisement such as social media and her website, the main contributor to her success has been word of mouth, a testament to her ability to connect with clients and provide a truly enjoyable therapy experience.

[1]  “Addiction Statistics - Facts on Drug and Alcohol Use.” Addiction Center, 18 Sept. 2020, www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics/.

​My Self Oath stands out amongst other therapy private practices because of Engerman’s unique approach with her clients. Breaking free from the common experience of simply telling a therapist “how you feel” at any given moment, Engerman strives to foster a personal connection with her clients through her personable demeanor. After reflecting on the journey of creating her business, one of the only things Engerman would want to do differently would be choosing to create her website herself, rather than contracting someone to do it for her. Looking towards the future of her practice, she hopes to make her business sustainable as well as profitable within the next year. Finally, for those who wish to follow a similar path as Engerman, she offers the following advice: “stay focused, stay consistent, and don’t take everybody’s word as absolute.”
​

​My Self Oath is located at 33 Dover Street, Suite 317, in Brockton, MA.
 
Contact them via:
Phone 508-521-9044
Email: admin@myselfoath.org
Website: www.myselfoath.org
Facebook: @MySelfOath

​Author: Emalia Monteiro, BSU student

In the heart of Plymouth Massachusetts lies a hidden gem that has been in business for over 20 years, supplying everything from healing stones to hand made jewelry. This company was started years ago when owner, Nancy Kim, began making her own jewelry and later expanded her passion to Plymouth in her own boutique, Laughing Moon.

When starting this journey, a big concern was finding a strong clientele, with determination and passion Laughing Moon became a staple for downtown Plymouth. The first thing that catches any customers attention is the royal purple sign, followed by the well thought out window displays. Before entering you are already draw in by the variety of Bohemian jewelry and sustainable clothing items. As you enter the boutique you are welcomed by the aroma of the burning incense and the smiling faces of the employees. In the front of the store you can find clever stickers and day planners, along with crystals and clothes for children. Further back in the store is where you are going to find clothes of all colors and designs, there is a little something for everyone.
​
A key aspect of this small business would be promotion. Laughing Moon incorporated social media into their company to expand their success; this boutique is on both Facebook and Instagram. On their Facebook page you can find their address and phone number. Posts include new products that arrive at the store and updates with store hours. 

Technology has allowed this small business to expand to an online store. This has been a huge deal for the boutique because this online shopping craze has allowed Laughing Moon to be able to distribute their products to a significantly larger clientele than there one centralized location could ever do before. People from all over can shop at Laughing Moon and help support a local business. The online store sells everything that you would find in the boutique and more. In addition, another great aspect of having an online business is that a customer can check out the shop before making the drive to Plymouth. The website also includes some classic pictures of the original Laughing Moon when Kim started her business making jewelry.

2020 has been a challenging year for business owners, but even with the pandemic Laughing Moon has continue to open their doors when permitted. On their Facebook page there was an informational post about the mask policy in their store, this post expresses that masks are mandatory to keep everyone safe. This Facebook post informed the community their stance on wearing masks and this showed respect for the public health. Covid-19 has showed the lengths that small business goes through to keep business going, this small business is just one example of an amazing businesses that work persistently to provide character to their community.
​
Laughing Moon focuses on creating an experience for a customer, it is not just a boutique but an encounter that will inspire people to want to return. It is clear that Laughing Moon is cherished boutique, not only by Nancy Kim but also the community that supports her dream.  
​

Visit Laughing Moon at 1 Court Street #3 in Plymouth, MA.
 
Contact them via:
Phone: 508-746-0288
Email: laughingmoonboutique@yahoo.com
Website: www.laughingmoonboutique.com
Facebook: @LaughingMoonBoutique

​Author: Cindy C. Kong, BSU student

An interview with Kevin Augustin, owner of Kevin Augustin Photography in Brockton, MA:

​Tell me about your business. Why did you choose this line of business? When did you start this business?
 
My name is Kevin Augustin and I was born and raised in Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York, New York. I moved to Brockton in 2006 and have been here ever since. I started photography because I wanted to turn my work of art into a career. My goal ultimately is to be the best photographer there is out there. I started photography in 2012. I chose this career path because I wanted to do more for myself and the best way to make more of myself is to do what I love to do and that is capturing moments.
 
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
 
The toughest thing about being a photographer is, you don’t have someone in investing in you. You have to prove that your work is great by what you put out. You have to invest in your own equipment which is extremely costly, you have to invest in your own time and effort in making these photos professional and astonishing. As much as I always wanted to give up, I use my son as an inspiration always. I always incorporate him into my work. As a black man in photography it is extremely hard to break a lot of the stereo type of what kind of work, we specialize in.
 
If you had to start over from day 1 what would you have done differently? Or what was your most difficult challenge?
 
If I were to start over, I would have wish I done this sooner because I could’ve been ahead of myself even more. One of the most difficult challenge in photography is competing with others and getting my business out there and having people believing in me. Starting off locally can be extremely tough for a small city.
 
What is the toughest part about having a business in 2020?
 
With everything that’s going on with COVID-19, it caused a lot of set back during the shutdown. Photography has a lot human interaction, especially with events and limiting the amount of people that can be in a place and gathering.

If a customer was to choose between your business and 3 others just like it why would you suggest they at least give you a try first?  What makes you stand out?
 
 I am a firm believer that people love having me as their photographer because of who I am. I give amazing customer service. I am polite and I love to make people feel comfortable. Photography is one of those things that is hard for people, it’s intimidating and sometimes people are timid. Just being in front of a professional camera is completely different than being behind a smart phone. But I love to make people feel good about themselves and making them feel confident when it comes to shooting. I am a people’s person. I can have a conversation with just anyone and everyone.
 
What is the number 1 way you currently bring in new customers? Has internet technology (website, online ads, social media, etc) played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful?
 
The number one way that helps bring in customers for me, is someone’s referral. Mostly all my customers were referred by someone who had an amazing experience with me. Technology has played a huge role in my business, especially when it came to networking and promoting my business through social media.
 
If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future where would you like to see your business be?
 
If I had 6 months to a year into the future, I would my business would continue to prosper and become successful as a black owned business. I’ve been working extremely hard these past couple of years to be where I am now. I am confident that I will be one of the best photographers in the South Shore of Massachusetts. 
​

​Kevin Augustin Photography (KAP) is located in Brockton, MA.
 
You can contact Kevin via:
Phone: 617-657-1700
Email: kevinaphotography@gmail.com
Website: www.kevinaphotography.com
Facebook: @KAPhotography
Twitter: @KAPhotography_
Instagram: @KevinAPhotgraphy
​

​Author: Mckenzie Coughlin

​Accentuation.inc is a hair salon located in Plymouth MA. They specialize in hair cutting, coloring, styling and natural nail care. Jennifer Rigatuso has been the proud owner and operator of this business since October 16th 1995.  With over 35 years of experience, Jen has perfected her craft. Hair is her passion. After high school she knew she wanted to get into the business, so she went off to cosmetology school and then worked as a hairstylist for a few years. Jen then took some time off to raise her family but knew she wanted to get back into the hair business. This time she decided to do it on her own. She opened up her own shop and has been thriving ever since. I had a few questions for Jennifer, and the interview went as follows:
           
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening?
I had to learn about Title 5 permits and zoning.
 
How has 2020 and corona virus effected your business?
Fortunately, because I am a smaller business I didn’t have as much to worry about. I don’t have a lot of employees, so I wasn’t stressed about them taking the right precautions because I knew I could trust them to do the right thing. I was able to keep our shop open and clean, again because it’s a small place it easier for me to manage and keep clean than some larger businesses. I have been grateful for our regulars as well as a lot of new customers whose previous hair stylists unfortunately had to shut down during this pandemic. I’ve actually had to turn people away because we got so busy for a while.
 
What is the number one way you currently bring in new customers?
Our customers leave happy so they talk about us to friends and family and refer them to us. A lot of people found our website when they were looking for a new salon after so many salons had to shut down, so that really helped us as well.

How many employees do you have?
There is currently just one other stylist and two receptionists. I find it easier to manage just a few employees. I met a man on an airplane once who told me a small business should be just that, Small. He said less than 6 employees is ideal and I find this to be very true. With more employees, scheduling is more of an issue. I don’t have to worry about things like that now.

Do you think you would ever want to step away and be more of a passive owner?
Absolutely not. I love what I do. If I didn’t want to do this anymore, I would just sell my shop. This line of work is not very profitable without being hands on so it wouldn’t be worth it that way.

Why do you love your job?
It’s fun! It’s not just about styling hair it’s about inspiring people’s lives. Making them feel beautiful but also really getting to know them and talk to them while they’re in my chair. 

​Accentuation, Inc. is located at:
2228 State Road, in Plymouth, MA.
 
You can contact them via:
Phone: 508-888-2687
Email: Accentuationinc@gmail.com
Website: www.accentuationinc.com
Instagram: @jennshairpage

​Author: Lindsey Shone, BSU student

Over the past decade, Alyse Baker-Boncaldo, founder and owner of one of the most popular spas in the Quincy area – The Spa at Boncaldo’s, has been reinventing the Spa experience for both women and men!
 
It all started roughly 10 years ago, when Philip Boncaldo (founder and owner of Boncaldo’s Gentleman’s Barbershop and loving husband to Alyse), came home after a long day’s work at the Barbershop. As they were reflecting amongst themselves how each of their days went, Philip voiced how a lot of his clients were frustrated that they could not have the “Day in the Spa” experience (as most Spas are marketed toward females only, not gender neutral). From that conversation, Alyse had a vision. A vision to create a neighborly, fair priced, experience for both men and women. And it has been all history from there.
 
I met with Alyse to learn more about her story and the evolution of The Spa at Boncaldo’s.
 
So tell me about the evolution of your career and business. Specifically, how did you choose Aesthetics?
I started my career at Harvard Pilgrim working in Sales for roughly 25 years. Although, I loved working in Sales, I knew deep down that I didn’t want to stay in this profession forever. My husband owns a Barbershop in Quincy – Boncaldo’s Gentleman’s Barbershop, which is the main reason for choosing this line of business. After talking and listening to a lot of my husband’s clients – I felt there was a market for a Gender-Neutral Day Spas – hence, my vision was born.  My vision was to start a spa that would accommodate both men and women. A vision of creating a business where customers feel comfortable, welcome, relaxed, regardless of gender.
 
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
By far, the biggest obstacle I faced when opening The Spa at Boncaldo was getting a Building and Business Permit. As the building is 110 years old, there were a lot of renovations/ housekeeping that needed to take place in order to get everything up to code. It was challenging, but we overcame those challenges. What kept me going was my dream – The Spa at Boncaldo. I believed in my vision, and I was not going to let a few bumps in the road get in the way of that.  

​What is the toughest part about having a business during 2020 (The Coronavirus Pandemic)?
The toughest part about having a business in 2020 is the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). Due of COVID-19, we had to close our doors for a few months. However, we recently reopened on June 23. Business has slowed down due of Covid-19 because we had to change treatment protocols. Though, we are hopeful that things will slowly get back to normal once people feel comfortable returning to their regular daily schedules prior to the pandemic.
 
I had the opportunity to personally speak with one of Alyse clients, Debra Meade. Debra said that her experience at the Spa was excellent! She highly recommends The Spa at Boncaldo’s to anyone looking for a relaxing Spa day. When I ask Debra how her experience went, she mentioned Boncaldo’s having excellent service!
Debra Meade: “Alyse was an excellent host/owner. Totally focused on the customer experience. She made sure I was happy and relaxed. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it wholeheartedly.”
 
I know I am not speaking only for myself when I say I cannot wait to go to The Spa at Boncaldo’s for a day at the Spa. 
​

​The Spa at Boncaldo’s is located at 76 Beale Street in Quincy, MA.
 
You can contact them via:
Phone: 617-471-9515
Email: spaboncaldos@gmail.com
Website: www.boncaldos.com
Facebook @spa.boncaldos

Author: Lelandra Borges, BSU student

An interview with Kayla Danh, owner of Nails and Spa Club in Bridgewater, MA:


Tell me about your Business. Why did you choose this line of business?
The salon is a full service salon that provides services including manicures and pedicures, dermatological facials, waxing, eyelash extensions and lastly, eyelash lifting and tinting. I chose this line of business because I am experienced in all of the services that we provide at the salon.


When did it start? What year?
The very first salon that my sister, Hanna, and I owned was located in downtown Boston. The address for that salon was 44 Winter Street in Boston, MA. My sister and I both opened the salon in 2004 and ran the business for four years until someone bought it from us. Our current salon, Nails & Spa Club, has been open for business for ten years now.


What was it that made you want to start this business?
This business has such a high demand for all of the services that we offer, especially nails and waxing. I also have great skills when it comes to all of the services that we provide at our salon.


What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
Well, all businesses have their obstacles. The toughest part would have been finding employees who could perfect the services we offer, as well as managing the salon all together.  When our first salon was open, we did not have much experience in our field, including our employees. Which is why we had someone buy the salon from us. What inspired me to keep the business running was the passion I had for business. I love doing my job. I love making my clients feel beautiful and satisfied when I have done their nails.


If you had to start over from day 1 what would you have done differently? Or what was your most difficult challenge?
From day 1, the architect, management and marketing of the salon could have all gone differently for sure. Different rooms amongst the salon including the break, waxing and cleaning rooms could have all been arranged differently. I am in the process of updating new software around the receptionist area. This way we can upload client databases including their favorite nail color and services to run the business more efficiently.


What is the toughest part about having a business in 2020?
First and foremost, Covid-19. Due to the coronavirus, we did have to shorten some of our hours at the salon.

If a customer was to choose between your business and three others just like it why would you suggest they at least give you a try first? What makes you stand out?
Well, our staff cares about the customers’ health which is why we keep a clean and organized salon. We thoroughly sanitize all of our tools and furniture. Our venting system constantly circulates fresh air throughout the salon for the health of our clients and employees. With Covid-19, we take the cleanliness of the salon much into consideration as it is our number one concern when it comes to our customers’ needs.  All of these features set us apart from many salons which is why people should give our salon a try first.


What is the number 1 way you currently bring in new customers?
The number 1 way that we currently bring in new customers are client referrals and our social media account pages. I make it a habit to upload new content for our clients on the salon’s Facebook and Instagram pages. This way clients are up to date with our services, or any important announcements.


Has internet technology (website, online ads, social media, etc) played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful?
I try to be as active as I can be on the salons’ social media websites. Google has played a big part in the growth of our business as clients can leave reviews of their experience at our salon.


Do you feel that internet technology could play a bigger role in your business if you had the right tools?
Yes, as I try to be as active as possible on our social media sites.


If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future where would you like to see your business be?
Hopefully Covid-19 is over sooner than later so our business can go back to normal. Hopefully my business will have new faces of new customers once everything has gone back to normal.


Increase or decrease, step away and be more a manager, passive owner? Why?
As the manager/owner/boss of the salon, I could easily say that I am overworked. I rarely have any days off. Even when I do have some days off I am at home ordering supplies for the salon and running errands. I want to try and find a balance between managing the salon and having a few days to myself, but it is not as easy as it looks.

​Nails and Spa Club is located at 15 Central Square in Bridgewater, MA.
 
You can contact them via:
 
Phone: 508-659-0040
Email: kayla@nailspaclub.com
Website: www.nailsspaclub.com
Facebook: @nailsspaclub
Instagram: @nailsspaclub

​Author: Sydney Holbrook, BSU student

​I had the pleasure of speaking with Chantal Silva from Middleboro Mini Storage. They are located at 5 and 15 Spruce St in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Chantal grew up in Middleboro until she eventually moved to Wareham—which is still local. Middleboro Mini Storage was created in 1994 and they have had customers going all the way back to then. They rent storage space in various sizes, some examples of this would be 5’x5’ all the way up to 10’x30’. They also offer parking for RV’s, boats, cars, trucks, and tractor trailers. In addition to all of this, they offer service garage and warehouse units with 14’x14’ doors.
 
They originally started this business because they had the extra land and there was a need for local storage facilities back then. One of the most challenging obstacles they faced while opening was the zoning and obtaining the licenses from the town. If they were to start over from day one, they would have purchased more buildings at the beginning. When they first opened, they had four buildings but within the past few years they added two additional buildings. When they were adding the new buildings—they had to go through all the zoning and licensing with the town again. 

​Even with all the challenges they were faced with this year, they haven’t had any major problems. The main way they are obtaining new customers would be advertising locally and word of mouth. They have many ads on placemats at local restaurants. Also, they rely heavily on maintaining their high standards of quality, value, and service to obtain personal referrals from current and previous customers. Technology has not played a big part in their success and growth of their business. Word of mouth has had the biggest impact. Although they do believe if they had all the right tools, it could help. But all of the right tools do cost a lot of money, so not all business may actually benefit from them. This business model is different than a lot of business because when they are at capacity, they cannot obtain any additional customers until their current customers no longer need the unit. When asked where Chantal wished the business would be in six months to a year in the future, she stated they would want to be in the same place that they are currently at today with all units rented and at capacity.
 
If you are in the market for a storage unit, Middleboro Mini Storage has the lowest prices in this area. They make their units affordable and convenient for their customers. They are also a family owned business and take pride in this area and community. Middleboro Mini Storage is in a great location, only about one mile off of Interstate 495. 

​Middleboro Mini Storage is located at:
5 & 15 Spruce Street in Middleboro MA.
​
If you would like any additional information and pricing, you can contact them via:
Phone: 508-946-1900
Email: middleboroministorage@gmail.com
Website: Middleboroministorage.net          

​Author: Manie Navarro, BSU student

An interview with DeJorCo CEO Deshannah Temple on how her dream became a reality:
 
Are you from this local area?
I am originally from Boston, but I currently reside in Brockton, MA.
 
Tell me about your business. Why did you choose this line of business?
When I became a mom working the normal 9-5 was challenging with a newborn. One parent worked mornings and the other parent worked nights. I found myself missing my son terribly. There were moments I wanted to be a part of, moments I wanted to capture. Then one day, while working for a thrift store I thought about how everyone including myself throws away clothes and how those clothes could be sold. Realizing how much money we throw away constantly.
I decided to start taking donations off of Facebook from my friends and I began to receive beyond the amount of traffic I expected. At first this was amazing, the random sales, and being able to help another family who liked nice brands but could not afford to purchase at retail price. In my eyes it was definitely a win-win. Eventually, it started to slow down and I realized the market for used clothes just like anything else can come and go. So, I decided to start an online boutique for Men & Women, which is called DeJorCo. DeJorCo is the next FashionNova or BooHoo. I imagine DeJorCo being the place everyone goes to even just for socks or glasses if they need them.  I want moms to know that it’s okay to take a risk, it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself beyond your limits.

When did it start?  What Year?
My release date was August 5th, 2020.

What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
The toughest thing I went through when opening was inventory. I was very hard on myself on getting more product and it was definitely hard for me to accept not making as much I as I expected I would. Every day I look at my son and I remember exactly why I started all of this to begin with. When it gets stressful and when I’m exhausted, I remember telling him I’m going to give him a big back yard to play in and ultimately my goal is to fulfill that promise.

If you had to start over from day 1 what would you have done differently? Or what was your most difficult challenge?
If I could restart and go back to day one, I would have definitely done more research. The importance of research and knowing the ins and outs of marketing is very important in the online world.

What is the toughest part about having a business in 2020?
The toughest part about having an online business in 2020 is that everyone is starting a business online. The challenge is making your product stand out. In 2020 there are a million people doing the same thing and as a result, promoting and marketing play a very huge part in it all.

If a customer was to choose between your business and 3 others just like it why would you suggest they at least give you a try first?  What makes you stand out?
In all honesty my brand stands out because I have amazing quality items at a very affordable and reasonable price. One of the challenges that comes with motherhood is looking at the price tag twice before you pick it up. When you go to DeJorCo, there is no thinking twice.

What is the number 1 way you currently bring in new customers?
The current way I bring in customers is by handing out a free item, handing out business cards, and constantly posting on different social media channels.

Has internet technology (website, online ads, social media, etc) played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful?
Personally I would say no, I can’t wait to get a physical location because promotion would not be needed as much. Sometimes all it takes is a car driving by. On social media, your image has to be very appealing before someone clicks. You also pay a lot of money in ads for that same purpose.

Do you feel that internet technology could play a bigger role in your business if you had the
right tools?
If I had the right tools and knew exactly what to do and how to do it, I would be way more successful in having an online boutique.
 
If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future where would you like to see your business be?
Six months to a year from now I’d like to see my business having consistent traffic. I’d like to make a minimum of $150 per day. I want DeJorCo to become everyone’s go to clothing store.

DeJorCo is an online business based in Brockton, MA.   
 
You can contact them via:
Website: www.DeJorCo.com
Instagram: @DeJorCo