Collaboration Grows Customer Base for Enterprise Businesses
Through the travels of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns, I have discovered a thing or two. Absolutely every town is different, however the towns all face similar struggles. We have discovered the truly successful business districts in these small towns (or downtowns) embrace the philosophy of collaboration over competition.
On a recent trip to Enterprise, I witnessed some businesses taking collaboration even further thanks to the urging of Shopaholic owner Debbie Gaydos.
"Shopaholic is a gift shop, plain and simple," she said. "But, I tell you, my friends and I have started giving 'experiences' to each other and it got me thinking of how I could work this into our shop."
There are several businesses in downtown Enterprise that offer experiences and Gaydos went to work. Gaydos is a very social shop owner and she has learned over the years that making an impact with her customers means more than being overly concerned about the bottom line of her business.
"I went to these ladies that I knew were teaching classes and came up with a flyer to give to my customers," Gaydos said.
The fellow business owners include a cookie maker, an artist, a floral designer and candle makers. Each woman teaches classes and hosts a private, girls nights or what you have each month. The summer months are notoriously slow for retail and this collaboration effort has benefited each business and continues to do so.
Cookie Crumbs by Gina Garrett
119 E College Street
Gina Garrett has an eye for detail that comes in handy considering she has been decorating custom sugar cookies since starting Cookie Crumbs by Gina Garrett in 2017. Earlier this year she took the leap and opened a store front in downtown Enterprise.
"I mainly did it to teach cookie decorating to others," Garrett said. " I absolutely love to teach. The classes are a fun experience and make wonderful gifts to someone as well."
Gina opened her doors for classes and her "students" keep showing up.
"Our classes are great for all ages... birthday parties, baby announcements, bridal showers, girls night, or team building events," she said. "We typically decorate six themed cookies during a class. The themes can be anything from holidays, to seasons or whatever the theme of the party may be."
Around the holidays, she opens the shop to sell cookies and there are occasions she may have extras waiting for people to stop in and grab some cookies.
"I always say I am for community over competition and I feel that is Debbie's heart as well. It has been a great experience to work with these other businesses so far and I hope it will be a blessing to the community as well as my business."
Mixson and Moore Candle Company
557 Glove Avenue Suite 29
Amy Warters and Michelle Lowhorn have been friends for years and even followed each other to Alabama when opportunity struck, so it was only natural the two create a business. That's how Mixson and Moore Candle Company came to be. The duo opened their candle studio where customers can come and shop for candles, room sprays and accessories, but they truly love the candle making workshops they frequently host.
According to their website "Mixson and Moore Candle Company exists to show God's love for our community and glorify him by bringing women together to enjoy and create clean burning candles made from safe products."
The ladies offer fun and interactive workshops where participants can custom-blend fragrance oils to create their own unique candle scents. Whether you join for a workshop, party, or private event, Mixson and Moore Candle Company promises a memorable and enjoyable time for everyone.
Eye Catchers Artworks by Katie Hughes
202 North Main Street
If you have been to Enterprise during the holidays (or have seen pictures in our sister publication Southern Holiday Life), you have probably noticed Katie Hughes handiwork. She is the artist behind the Whoville Window Painting on the variety of businesses in downtown.
When she is not painting windows or dreaming up the next mural, Hughes offers paint classes at a few businesses around town. She calls it Pints and Paints with Katie Hughes and has developed quite a following for her whimsical works of art.
"It's great for a date night or a girls night or really any time you want to paint, drink and socialize," Hughes said. She has worked with numerous businesses around Enterprise including Pop Art Studios, Sixtel Bottle & Growler, Forklore Brewing & Meadery and Southern Fields Brewing.
Written by: Kelly Caldwell
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