Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Gibson.
Hi Clarissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my journey painting furniture for friends in my garage. I taught myself a Pottery Barn finish and other techniques that allowed me to grow my clientele and open a little shop with some talented friends of mine that made handmade stuff. After a little over a year of doing business in the cottage, we discovered our customers were favoring the handmade items over the furniture and I was able to stop painting furniture and focus my attention on running a real retail store. I never set out to do this and it wasn’t in the plans, it just kind of evolved into what it is today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Goodness, owning a business is not for the faint of heart. I have discovered this along the way. The stress can be debilitating at times but so rewarding when you are able to refocus on purpose. I didn’t have any experience or education in owning a retail store so I have had many, many lessons and opportunities to learn along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a natural creator. My brain thinks creatively in every aspect of life. Which makes me this phenomenon that dips into many different outlets. I am an interior designer, jewelry maker, abstract angel painter, floor merchandiser and more. I still have a childlike imagination where I love getting fun ideas in my head and bringing them to life for others to enjoy.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor is hard. I’ve never been able to relate to a mentor in business. I prefer therapy and/or counseling with a stranger to help balance my ideas and thoughts. I also use my staff to help me make decisions.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@shopthegibsonco.com
- Website: shopthegibsonco.com
- Instagram: thegibsonco
- Facebook: facebook.com/thegibsonco
Image Credits:
Austin Martin Photography
