Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Francis.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
The last 35 years have prepared me for this journey. Entering the financial industry right out of college, I was fortunate to learn business principles that have been an integral part of starting Partager Gallery, but, more importantly, I learned the intrinsic value of building, developing, and maintaining relationships. I learned that each person who entered my office deserved the best I could offer regardless of wealth or status, and I took great pride in mentoring young women who were beginning their professional journeys. The last 5 years of my career were marked by a corporate philosophy centered on transactions instead of relationships, which ultimately led me to start Partager. My goal was to bring a unique concept to my hometown that would allow young entrepreneurs, artists, and retailers the opportunity to have a brick-and-mortar presence. More than a retail center, Partager hosts workshops, events for children, wine tastings, and many other events for people of all ages. Partager is a gathering place, a shopping center, a gallery, and a destination.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with all start-ups, there were countless hurdles. When I questioned the enormity of this project in the early stages, a friend suggested I pray for God to “bless it or block it.” When I first began looking for a group of vendors who would fit the overall aesthetic of Partager and who would work together, I would invite them to my home for lunch and then take them to the building, which, at the time, was a fully operative gym. The fact that these incredibly talented people bought into this concept based solely on a casual lunch and a visit to a tired old gym was verification that what I was working toward was meant to be. In one visit with two potential vendors, one commented on the size of the project and asked if I truly understood the undertaking. The other vendor, a quiet artist raised in France, commented, “You are helping others to realize their dreams with yours, so you know it is the right thing to do,” Her simple acknowledgment and similar ones from many other vendors were my strength when the challenges seemed insurmountable.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Partager Gallery, Gifts, and Home?
We are a coterie of artists, creatives, and retailers in one 20,000-square-foot building. Host workshops, wine tastings, and many other events; we are a place to gather and shop, fellowship, and learn. While I truly love that Partager has become a destination- a place to meet a friend for coffee, attend a workshop, or shop, I am most proud of the entrepreneurs who have realized their dreams in Partager. Some of our success stories include a college senior with a pet boutique, a stay-at-home Mom who launched her own stationary company, and a young woman who started her pajama line and subsequently partnered with Anthropologie and sold out in 24 hours. Partager has provided a place for others to realize their dreams and mine.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
After retiring from banking and while working on Partager, I also worked as a consultant, and the principles I found most applicable were those in Team of Teams by retired General Stan McChrystal. The concept is quite simple- every member of an organization, group, or company must have a shared common goal, and each member must understand their role in achieving that goal. While they must communicate effectively with other teams, the most important part of this organizational management model is adaptability. An organizational management model would not apply to a multi-vendor retail center, but it has been a key part of our success. Our goal is to build relationships, and that often means we bend on policies or step out of our traditional roles, but these relationships are what will ensure our longevity.
Pricing:
- We offer something for everyone. We may have a painting that is $5,000, but we also have one $30.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.partagergalleryandgifts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partagergallerygiftsandhome/
