Q: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Avonlea’s 40,000 sq. ft. building is home to 200 of the finest dealers and designers in Florida. We are proud of the fact that Avonlea has become one of the forerunners in a new ‘breed’ of antique and interior malls that offer a fabulous and eclectic mixture of inventory that meets the demands of the modern homemaker, collector and gift buyer.
Q: What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: We saw a way to revolutionize the artsy and eclectic retail market into an attractive space for many vendors to share a clean, climate controlled store environment.
Q: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Build a plan, be prepared to change that plan, execute on that plan
Q: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Vision, ambition, and the ability to not get stuck on making trivial decisions.
Q: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: 50 now
Q: To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Having the support of family and friends
Q: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Lots of networking and building relationships with our vendors.
Q: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Know that it takes work and isnt something instant. Success takes time and patience. If you dont love the process of working towards your goal, then you will never reach your goal.
Q: Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: Completely rented out sales floor and maybe another location in a new market.
Q: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: I love Farmers Markets and FLea Markets. They often give me the best ideas and potential vendors.
Q: How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Without good employees, a business is doomed. They are the backbone of a good company.
Q: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: Pretty long. Success is a marathon, not a sprint.
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: I love talking to my vendors and listening about what they would love to see in our mall.
Q: How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Build on reputation. When people see the value you can bring them, whether thats a service or a product, they’ll be repeat customers for life.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: I get to write my own path. I’m responsible for my own success.
Q: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Sometimes not much at all. You just have to be able to withstand taking the risk to leave the “normal” life path and create your own.
Q: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Freedom
For information visit our website https://avonleamall.com/
