I am located in NW Ohio. I began retailing in 2005 via a local brick and mortar store I had. I began my first online business, Pip Berry Place, while I still had the B&M store, as a way to offer my products to a broader customer base. My B&M store closed in 2007, but I have continued to grow and expand my online businesses since that time. Crows Creek Crossing became my second online business, and then I recently added Primitive Business Junction.

2. How did you decide on your business name?

I come up with all of my business names the same way: I brainstorm ideas based on prim-related words. For Crows Creek Crossing, I knew I wanted something with "crows" in it, and something that would have a nice ring to it. I also wanted something that would imply a crossroads, so that led me to include "crossing". The word "creek" just seemed to fit well in the middle, so that led me to decide on Crows Creek Crossing. With Pip Berry Place, I wanted a very prim-related theme for the site, and I wanted the business name to sound like a destination. Since I love pip berries, I brainstormed until the name Pip Berry Place popped into my head. And for the PBJ site, I wanted it to be indicative of whom the site was to benefit most (primitive business owners) and also wanted it to sound like a place where business owners and information would coincide (a junction). So that's how I got Primitive Business Junction.

3. What were the first things you did to get your business going?

Since my retail store was my starting point, I did a lot of research on the Web before I opened for business. I had to get a business loan, so I created a Business Plan for the bank. I researched marketing, pricing, inventory, wholesale suppliers, taxes, licensing, and anything else related to running a retail business. I did that for months before opening up the store. When I decided to go online, I had to go further and figure out the specific license I would need in the state of Ohio to sell products online. I also had to research shipping supplies, and online advertising, and everything I could find on how to buy a domain, purchase we hosting, and search engine optimization, etc. It really involved a lot of research. I knew I needed to learn in order to be successful, and I continue to research and learn to this day. I don't think we should ever stop learning, or settle for what we already know. You can't grow if you don't educate yourself and learn. You also can't protect yourself or your business if you don't know as much as possible about selling online and all that it entails.

4. How long did it take you from the time you decided to open your business to your Grand Opening Day?

Since my brick and mortar store was my first business, and I spent months researching what I'd need to know first, and also remodeling the store space I had leased for the store, I would say it was about 8 months of planning and work between the time I decided to open a business and our Grand Opening. And as for my first online business, Pip Berry Place, I spent a month or two planning before I bought my domain, and then another couple of months before the site opened up. Crows Creek Crossing and Primitive business Junction took less initial planning because I already had experience online.

5. What was the best thing you did to get your business going?

Speaking of my online businesses, the two most important things I did to get my business going 1) Educating myself about SEO and all facets of running a website, and 2) Marketing and Promotion! Without doing those two things, and continuing to do them aggressively, my businesses would have closed long ago, I'm sure.

6. What was one thing that you did that you would advise others not to do?

The one thing I did with my online business when it first opened that, in hindsight, was unwise, was to only accept Pay Pal as a means of taking credit cards. Many people do not like or trust Pay Pal; some folks don't even know what it is. But either way, it was a mistake to not have an alternative way to process credit card payments. When I rectified this after a few months, by getting a merchant account, my sales more than doubled online. And now about 80-90% of my orders are paid for via credit card. I still have Pay Pal as an option, and I'm sure I always will. But far more customers pay me with a credit card than with Pay Pal.

7. How do you network? What do you find works the best?

I network primarily through online communities. Prim Mart is a great community for not only networking, but for 'meeting' folks with similar interests. I have made some great friends through online communities, and anymore, the networking aspect is just a bonus.

8. Do you advertise? If so, what type of advertising works the best for you business?

The best advertising I do online is via paid marketplace ads. I get excellent website traffic through my marketplace ads. They are my number 2 means of traffic to my site, behind search engine traffic. I also do top sites lists, some plug boards, and banner exchanges. And I monitor all my website traffic with Google Analytics, as it allows me to see exactly where my traffic is coming from. And with regard to may paid ads, it allows me to see where my advertising dollars are being spent most effectively.

9. Do you have any advice to give someone thinking of getting into their own business?

The best piece of advice I can give, whether they are going online or brick and mortar, is to research, research, research. For online stores, most folks, in my experience, buy a website and then try to learn about SEO and marketing etc. They'd be far better off - before they even choose an online business name and domain - to educate themselves first, because then they'll be ahead of the game.

10. What type of products do you find are 'hot' right now?

I actually don't follow the trendy or hot items in the prim world. I prefer to focus on my own ideas that are unique, whenever possible, and on providing a wide a variety of items that can stand the test of time.