Meet Pam Linton

 

We recently connected with Pam Linton and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Pam with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I got my work ethic from my parents who were incredible role models for me growing up in a small Minnesota town, St. Stephen, MN. They owned and operated a family business in the transportation industry and I saw firsthand how hard they worked to make their business a success. Their dedication and commitment to their work left a lasting impression on me, instilling a strong sense of responsibility and a belief in the value of hard work. This upbringing has been instrumental in shaping my approach to running multiple businesses, an online and brick-and-mortar ladies boutique, my husbands music entertainment company and our small record label and now building my own individual music career. I strive to carry forward the lessons I’ve learned and observed, ensuring that I approach every aspect of each of these businesses with dedication and passion.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

When the pandemic of 2020 put my music entertainment career on hold, I seized the opportunity to launch an online ladies’ boutique. For three years I operated this boutique exclusively online, but as my business grew I needed more space. In March of 2023, I found a fantastic co-retailing space at Nest To Threads Boutique Marketplace at 3033 Coon Rapids Blvd. in Coon Rapids, MN. My boutique, Cotton Patch Boutique is located in Suite A, right inside the entrance and along the windows, so customers can see right into the shop from the curb.

As the pandemic eased, I returned to performing at fairs, festivals and performing arts theaters something I have been doing for over forty years while continuing to operate my boutique business. In October of 2023, I was approached by New Folk Records, a Folk Music label about a possible recording project. In January 2024, I signed a record deal, and in March we recorded a 15 song project in a North Carolina studio, The Sound Factory Studio. The album is currently in manufacturing, and I’m working on a press kit and marketing tools to promote my solo music career.

I always say God has a sense of humor, so while I’m not sure what God’s path forward will be for my boutique and music career I’m committed to pursuing both and following the journey He lays out for me.

When I graduated high school my aptitude testing showed I excelled in music, fashion and marketing. I am blessed to be doing exactly what I enjoy the very most.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

As a professional musician and boutique owner the three qualities that have been incredibly impactful in my business journey are:

1. Positivity
Maintaining a positive attitude has been crucial in both my music and boutique ventures. My attitude helps me stay resilient during challenging times and motivates me to keep pushing forward against adversity. In the boutique a positive attitude creates a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with customers allowing me the opportunity to build a lasting bond. In music, it brings energy to my performance helping we connect with the audience. In a business filled with rejection and competition a positive attitude plays a huge part in your ability to continue building your craft and pursuing the audience that appreciates what you have to offer.

2. Organization and Ability to Multitask
Juggling the demands of the entertainment industry and a boutique requires exceptional organizational skills and the ability to multitask. Whether I am managing inventory, planning events or coordinating schedules, staying organized ensures that everything runs smoothly. It allows me to balance the different aspects of my life and business ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. I am a diligent list maker, and I still believe in a paper planner and calendar.

3. Communication Skills
Both verbal and written communication is essential to connecting with customers, collaborators and my audience. Whether I am crafting engaging content to market my boutique or conveying emotions and stories through music clear communication helps build strong relationships and trust. It also ensures that my vision and brand are consistently conveyed across all platforms.

These elements have been the basic foundation of my success, allowing me to navigate the challenges and opportunities in both the boutique and music industries with confidence and grace.

My advice to business owners early in their journey is to take time each day to find positive affirmation in self care and practice gratitude. Learn to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Find the organizational tools that work best for you and implement them. They don’t need to be fancy, just functional. Being a good listener helps you be a good communicator. By focusing on these easy skills you will set a strong foundation for your business. Remember, these skills will evolve as you grow. Stay open to learning and adapting and you will be well-prepared for success.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My sister Brittany is just 14-months my junior. We were raised like twins, “room mates but never womb mates!” We began our entertainment careers together and developed a strong duo entertainment act. We have always had a strong drive and passion for anything we aspired to. Brittany has always been my biggest cheerleader. She is my proofreader for my boutique web site and for the latest CD graphics. It is essential to keep format in check and I am blessed to have someone who monitors this. I sell via live stream on multiple social media platforms and Brittany is involved in that process. My customers have built a strong relationship with both of us. Wholesale market can be a very overwhelming environment. Brittany accompanies me to the large markets photographing the items purchased, managing the list of items to acquire and keeping track of the budget. All of these tasks are essential to running my businesses successfully.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

April Onstad

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made