Member Spotlight: The Business Shoppe
Tell us how you/the venture got started. What compelled you to create /join it?
I started The Business Shoppe (originally called First Stop Solutions) in the beginning of 2013 right before the birth of my 2nd child. After working as a bookkeeper and office manager for years I knew I had a proven ability to improve internal operations, increase productivity, efficiency, and profitability. Time and again I would find myself in work environments where I was going above and beyond my job description and generating incredible profits for my bosses only to have them minimize or discredit my efforts so they didn't have to compensate me equitably. It was clear there was a need for this kind of holistic service for small/medium sized businesses. They need services that help them get organized internally and financially in order for them to achieve their goals and scale sustainably. I determined that I wasn't going for anyone else to see my value, I was going to go out and do what I did best and charge my worth! And I did.... and here I am
Who are your customers/ community and how do they find you?
What lessons have you learned building a customer base/community?
I work a lot with women and communities of color, they usually find me through word of mouth or my instagram. Working with the
communities | love has taught me so much about how money and business are actually DEEPLY personal and how we have been conditioned to believe business is supposed to be this emotionless affair and it's not... and that's actually okay. I have learned that money is a source of trauma for so many folks and that overcoming that trauma and de-mystifying money and finances is so empowering and is ultimately the key to financial freedom.
Tell us about one of the biggest obstacles you have faced in your work and how you overcame it:
2020 was a GUT wrenching year for so many of us, I watched so many of my clients struggle and find themselves barely able to tread water. I downsized my business and then found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child. My pregnancy was blissful but the week I gave birth I lost my best friend to breast cancer and found out my baby had a cleft palate and wasn't getting enough food. She was hospitalized after birth and in the months after I was a mess trying to learn how to feed her and care for her, grieve the loss of my friend, and attempt to continue to run my business. I learned a lot about surrendering what I could not control, setting reasonable expectations for myself, ASKING FOR HELP, and then ACCEPTING THE HELP. It was such a time of painful growth, but I am better for it.
Where do you see the work/venture five years from now?
I see myself celebrating the 5th anniversary of answering this question.... (just kidding) I see myself coaching and consulting more.
Recently I launched a business workbook called The Impact Plan. I am so proud of it and I love the materials I have made to help my clients gain clarity and focus in their journey. In the next five years I want to make more workbooks and possibly start a podcast on business building.
What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?
My favorite book has to be Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. Reading this book opened my eyes to so much going around and within me. It's a must read.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time*
I LOOOOOOVE KARAOKE!!!!!!! When I get time away from my 4 kiddos I love to hang with my friends and sing karoake and dance the night away. I also am an avid plant lover and my home is a small jungle.
What do you love about Tacoma?
I love the diversity of Tacoma. I was raised in the military and spent the majority of my young life in Singapore, I have to be able to eat the food I grew up with and living near the Lincoln District, I have access to markets where I can get the ingredients to make the food I was raised with. This place is a small town with big city energy and the people are incredible!
What made you choose Union Club? What has your experience been like and who would you recommend it for?
love beautiful spaces, I like to feel at home in my work space because it's the only
place I really get to be away from my home and kids so I want it to feel almost like a home away from home.
My office is super beautiful and comfy, but if I want to take a break and sip some tea I can go upstairs and sit on the couch and look out on the bay and daydream.
My experience so far has been so lovely. I feel like family and am always treated well.
Where can people go to support your business/organization or buy your product?
(website, store, email, phone#t?)
We can be found on Instagram our handle is ethebusinessshoppe or Facebook as The Business Shoppe.
We offer a free 30 minute consultation and folks can book it at www.onebizshoppe.com
My Impact Plan Workbook can be found on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Plan-Ultimate-Business-Planning/dp/BOB3P4Y769/ref=sr_1_1?
crid=308CSCJSPXE6W&keywords=impact+plan+alexandra&qid=1663953173&sprefix=Impact+Plan%%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1
