Retail Matters 2024 Report
Produced in partnership with Virginia Retail Alliance, the 2024 Retail Matters research report features the economic, consumer, and technology trends impacting a wide spectrum of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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Crafting a Creative Business Journey with Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Vernon, Washington.
Show Notes:
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Vernon, Washington. Phoebe and Jonathan share their journey from teachers and parents to working artists then thriving business owners.
Key Takeaways:
- Journey to Business Ownership: Started with block printing as a creative side project, gradually scaling from home-based operations to farmers markets, mobile vending, and eventually a downtown storefront.
- Innovative Funding Strategy: Successfully used Kickstarter not just for funding equipment, but as a powerful community-building and brand awareness tool that created a sense of ownership among supporters
- Adaptive Business Model: Continuously pivoted and experimented with different revenue streams, including mobile vending, e‑commerce, wholesale, and hyper-personalization options to stay responsive to market needs.
- Community-Centered Approach: Created collaborative opportunities by hosting pop-up events, supporting local artisans, and bringing other small businesses into their space to create a supportive ecosystem
- Brand Philosophy: Developed a distinctive brand identity around positive, meaningful designs that feature hand-carved block prints with an intentionally authentic, “gritty” aesthetic that resonates with customers.
Connect:
Episode Links:
Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business.
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As mentioned on the show, Phoebe and Jonathan often brought their kids to their studio while they worked.
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As mentioned on the show, Phoebe and Jonathan often brought their kids to their studio while they worked.
About the Main Street Business Insights Podcast
Each week, join host Matt Wagner, Ph.D., as he travels the country and takes a deep dive into the personal journeys of downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs. The stories that far too often go unheard. Learn about the innovative ways that these Main Street businesses have overcome adversity, whether it’s starting a new enterprise or keeping a multi-generation business alive, and the advice they have for others on how to keep their businesses on track. Main Street Business Insights is powered by Main Street America.
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Cincinnati, Ohio © Janet Hurn
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Bonus Episode 2: Featuring Season 1 Guests
Learn about small business owners who are succeeding along Main Street, and the advice they have for others doing the same.
© Ketut Subiyanto
Bonus Episode 3: Featuring Season 1 Guests
In this episode, you'll hear from small business owners from our first season who make connecting with their community a top priority.
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Learn how local entrepreneurs have leveraged the power of a Main Street community to establish, maintain, and grow their ventures.
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Harvey Williams, Delta Dirt Distillery
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Sjowhegan, ME
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Atlanta, GA © Blulz60
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Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer
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Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer
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The Arkansas DeltaMade Program
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Siloam Springs, AR © Brandonrush
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Community-Owned Businesses
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