Friends living their dream with home décor business

How would you describe your first month in business?

It has been so much fun. My business partner, Diane Pine, and I have a real sense of accomplishment. It is truly rewarding to have your first day of business start in this beautiful building and to complete a sale.

What steps did you take to learn about the workings of a business and what led to your decision to do it?

Well, I have had the best two teachers I know: my husband, Brian, and my father-in-law, Bunny Newton, who own and manage Newton’s Jewelry right next door. We have pretty much duplicated what has been done and worked for them since 1914. I got the idea for the store when I met Diane and she painted a mural in my son’s bedroom. We just hit it off and seemed to have the same passions for creating. We had no idea that we would have a store like this. It all began in February of 2006.

Tell us about Diane and the strengths you both bring to the business.

She is a very talented individual. I trust her with any decisions we need to make. She is a wonderful advisor and has become a great friend. We both pretty much pick up where the other one stops. We finish one another’s sentences and we just click. You know the saying ‘great minds think alike’? That’s how we are. My strength is my experience in retail and hers is her passion for creating. It works.

Where did your business name come from?

We had fun with trying to figure out a description of what we wanted. ‘Evergreen’ represents the meaning of our faux floral arrangements and ‘amber’ is for the beauty that surrounds us. We design custom arrangements and wreaths and have a variety of gifts and home décor.

What’s surprised you most about the start-up process?

All the time you invest and then the patience that you need to truly hold yourself back from buying everything in sight at market. Once you get that down, it is all pretty easy.

What was your first job and what did you learn that applies

to your work today?

My first job was waiting tables at a café in Nashville, Mo. I was 13 and learned real quickly that responsibility went along with the job. A lot was expected of me and I had to be at work at five in the morning on the weekends. I learned to listen and felt pride that I had someone depending on me for a change.

Many people consider starting a business

to be a leap of faith. What are some other

leaps you have taken?

The biggest one was in becoming a mother. I lost my own mother when I was twelve so I was scared. After several years of marriage I told Brian I wanted to be a mom and four years ago gave birth to our son, James. We have also added our thirteen year old niece, Jessica, to our family and she is a joy. I thank God for all of our blessings.

What advice would you give others considering opening a business?

When you make this commitment you need to know that it will be long hours and not just a 9-5 job. You have to commit to long hours. We have worked very hard and sometimes I go into work when my family is asleep and then work through the night. That is the only way we can stay caught up on work and not miss out on any family time. My family comes first.

How will you know when Evergreen and Amber

is a success?

I feel like we have already achieved it. Our customer base is growing daily. We specialize in customer service and I am a true believer that excellent customer service is the key to success.

Interview by Ann Leach[[In-content Ad]]