We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abbie Fox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Abbie , so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
These days it seems like anyone can come up with negative things to say about someone or someone’s business. Social media is a gateway for negativity & protects those who spew it. However, I let the gossip fuel my fire, only to make me work harder to prove them all wrong. Most of what is negatively spoken are fibs and completely unjust. Myself & my businesses have always been honest, generous, & community minded. Keeping a business plan & sticking to it, always remaining loyal to customers & employees, & just down right being a good human is how I deal with day to day negativity. Life is short, smile more, don’t let people that don’t even know you, get you down!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the owner of Lakelynn Design Boutique, located in downtown Sandusky, Ohio. My business was established in 2017 offering an eclectic variety of comfortable & stylish apparel in a wide range of sizes. I recently just downsized and closed three of my stores & consolidated to the one location. I needed to pull back & focus more on my family’s needs, & also have more time to spend working on my non-profit, The Port Clinton Sunday Farmers Market. 2024 will be our 4th farmers market season where we promote handmade, homemade, & home grown vendors. My friend Courtney Kast & I curate a wonderful market filled with high quality products, entertainment, food, & only positive-happy vibes! We have a new location for 2024 at Hopfinger Zimmerman Memorial Park in Port Clinton. Markets are every 2nd & 4th Sunday June 9th-October 27th, 9a-1p.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Having a background in retail and retail management was extremely helpful going into business for myself. Knowing what to expect and having experience in customer service is something I am very grateful for. Having the skill to talk to people, problem solve, and multi task is so important when becoming a small business owner.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Obstacles are honestly an everyday occurrence. But, for me, balancing home life and work life can sometimes be overwhelming. Being a business owner, a Mom of two and a wife to a traveling husband has its trials. I am very blessed to have a wonderful store manager & employees who I can count on. We take our challenges day by day and work through everything together. Team work, really does make the dream work!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lakelynndesign.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakelynnDesigns?mibextid=LQQJ4d
