Starting a business often involves discovery and adaptation, as demonstrated by Diana’s entrepreneurial journey, which transitioned from running a cabinet shop with her brother in California to creating custom laser-cut products. Initially, her role focused on administrative tasks, but her curiosity led her to explore the creative potential of a laser-cutting machine. Diana expresses,” Starting with no business intention, my laser-cut creations quickly gained market interest, transforming a fun project into a thriving business”. Soon this exploration resulted in a diverse range of products showcased in her shop in Downtown Durham, from earrings to signage. Her entrepreneurial journey was marked by a willingness to experiment and learn through trial and error. This approach allowed her to understand the capabilities and limitations of her equipment, ultimately leading to her mastering her craft. Diana emphasizes that “Flexibility and adaptability are key in entrepreneurship. Being able to pivot based on trends has kept my business ahead of the curve.”
Some people are just destined to be entrepreneurs! Diana didn’t intentionally start her business, it just “happened” due to opportunity. Initially, she created jewelry for herself and a few friends, then it evolved into making earrings to take to local pop-up markets, and people began to ask her for custom products. Diana loved the freedom that she had with her creativity and how good customers responded to her products. She eventually leaned into working on her business full-time and it began to grow! Diana participated in echoSystem in 2023 and found that echo provided a community of entrepreneurs with different levels of experience and talents, and it motivated her to keep pushing through setbacks in her business.
Durham has proven to be an ideal location for small business success, offering resources and support unavailable to Diana in California. Diana shares, “Durham’s supportive community and abundant resources have been key to my business success.” Durham’s commitment to fostering small businesses through nonprofits, coworking spaces, and networking events has created a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs. This supportive community, combined with the accessibility of resources, has allowed many like Diana to thrive and grow their ventures. However, entrepreneurs must balance reliance on these resources with personal effort and innovation to achieve long-term success. After nearly three years of running her business, Diana was offered the opportunity to open a physical location through a collaboration between Downtown Durham Inc. and echo. This initiative was developed to help entrepreneurs test if their business was suitable for a brick-and-mortar setup without the high cost of typical rent pricing in Downtown Durham. The store, classified as a gift shop, offers diverse products, including herbs, candles, crystals, and tarot cards. Diana describes her shop as a “ gift shop that offers a curated selection of unique items, handpicked with intention and care” where everyone feels welcome and safe. This variety is a result of collaborations with other local makers and artists, creating an intimate and curated shopping experience. Her shop and products authentically reflect her brand slogan: “Embrace your true self,” which promotes inclusivity. Diana’s shop also provides a variety of price points to be accessible for all as she explains, “Our store is a welcoming space where everyone can find something special, regardless of their budget”. This intentional curation and personal connection with the products and artists make the store a distinctive and inviting space.
We invite you to visit Diana's store located at 307 W. Main St. Durham, NC 27701.
IG: @Shitdianamakes
Comentários