Meet four local women who made their dream a reality!

Daria Reitknecht, Owner, Second Bloom Corp located at 1276 Fairport Road, Fairport

• Voted Rochester's Most Family Friendly Consignment shop by Genesee Valley Parent Magazine readers
• Supporter of various not for profit organizations including the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
• Active Member and Treasurer of the RACS (Rochester Area Consignment Shops)

When it opened: March 6, 2006

About the store: Our store sells high quality clothing, jewelry, purses, shoes and household items on consignment with a 50/50 split. We sell women's and children's clothing from new born to plus sizes for women. We also have three jewelry cases full of fun and interesting jewelry.

What motivated you to open your store? My main motivation was myself. I had always wanted and talked about what it would be like to have my own consignment shop. I took a look at the Rochester Market and felt there was a need for a consignment shop that was extremely user friendly and in a great location. The beauty of opening a consignment shop is one where you do not need to pay for your inventory. We needed to invest in quality fixtures, counters, cases, hangers (lots of hangers).

What makes your store unique? We love to contribute to the community such as our annual Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester October Sunday shopping event. One Sunday in October 40% of the store’s sales go directly to the BCCR. Groups can work with Second Bloom for private fundraising shopping parties with a percentage of sales given back as a donation.

Words of advice: If you have a true passion for owning your own business, whatever it may be, do the research and realize the huge amount of energy and your time that is needed to run a business.

 

Lynn Allinger, President and Co-Owner, Craft Company No. 6 - Gallery of Fine American Craft located at 785 University Ave.

• Voted a Top 10 Retailer of American Craft by Niche Magazine
• NAWBO Business Owner of the Year.

When it opened: 1980

About the store: We are an American Craft Gallery featuring fine crafts handmade in the USA and Canada. Our fine crafts include jewelry, woodworking, pottery and ceramics, metalwork, blown glass and more. We are Upstate New York’s exclusive representative of Sticks – a line of very distinctive handcrafted, handpainted furniture and object art.

What motivated you to open your store? My husband/partner, Gary Stam, and I, started out as craftspeople with a woodworking business. We sold to American Craft Galleries across the country and decided to open our own gallery in 1980. Gary is a woodworker and graduate of RIT and taught woodworking at the RIT evening school, which is where we met.

What has been most rewarding? The wonderful artists we deal with and our great customers. We love the American Craft lifestyle and it attracts great people.

Words of advice: Find a niche and be passionate about what you are selling. Always get professional advice and use a good accountant and lawyer. Listen to your customers. Don't get in over your head financially. You've got to love what you do to be successful at it.

Pamela Merritt Kramer, Chief Essential Officer of Urban Essentialz LLC located at
664 University Ave.

When it opened: September, 2006

About the store: We are a unique retail store in the heart of the Neighborhood of the Arts. We are a New York City boutique that carries unique gifts, jewelry, cards and books, handbags and scarves, home decor, candles and incense, classical toys, chimes and bamboo, Feng Shui corrections, and inspirational products. Our products are unique – we strive to carry items that other stores do not.

What motivated you to open your store? I have been very committed to the revitalization in the Neighborhood of the Arts for many years. I have renovated 3 houses and a building here. I felt this neighborhood needed more retail and that Rochestarians would enjoy a unique shopping experience. So I decided to open a store that had a “New York City feel” in Rochester.

What has been most rewarding? I love being in my store – it feels really peaceful and enjoyable. I originally wanted all natural, sustainable products, wellness products, recycled, etc. Finding products with those criteria was more difficult in the beginning but I am finding more of them all the time.

Words of advice: Do your homework! If you can work at a store like what you want, then do. There are always surprises, doing a business plan and figuring your expenses out before you start is crucial.

 

Joette Mancuso, owner of Joette's Accessory Boutique at 1464 Monrore ave in Brighton

When the Rochester location opened: Fall 2007

About the store: I sell all types of fashion jewelry, watches, earrings and necklace sets, belts, wallets, purses, rhinestones, bridal jewelry. I have the most beautiful selection of evening bags in all colors and shapes at the most wonderful prices, satin clutches are $15.00.

What motivated you to open a store? I opened my first shop about 10 years ago. It started out with silk floral arrangements, and one Christmas season I put up a tiny table of watches and fashion jewelry. Well, it took off like crazy. I added shelves to the store and filled them with beautiful affordable jewelry and accessories.

What makes your store unique? My stores are very people friendly. I do many things that makes Joette's Accessory Boutiques very unique. For instance, I never charge to add a longer chain or to convert earrings to clip earrings. I do not charge for gift wrap and I will let someone take a few things home to try on with their dress. I will split a set if you just need the earrings. We will do anything to please our fantastic customers, many of them are regulars.

Words of advice: Time, effort and great employees are the key. Selling beautiful things to wonderful people has its rewards.