Today we’d like to introduce you to Portia Smith.
Hi Portia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my business over 10 years ago but open my brick and mortar 6 years ago as a Home Decor Boutique, Pink Sheep Interiors. I have been in the retail industry most of my adult life and have learned all the things that make a company successful and also things that ruins a company. I’ve learned that if a person trust you, they will trust your product. Building relationships with people and earning their trust is extremely important to me. News travels fast, good and bad.
Being that I am also a dog mom to an amazing rescue dog name Eli, I knew I needed to add a dog collection within the boutique. In addition, The Market Common in Myrtle Beach is a huge dog community and dogs are welcome in almost all stores and restaurants. The dog collection sold well and I got lots of recommendations to add more products so naturally I thought I need to open another boutique just for the dogs. That is when Pink Sheep Pups & Co. was born.
The idea was to create a space that was a shopping experience for the dog more than the human. It has become the happiest place to be in the neighborhood and we just love it. Pups is not even a year old but it feels like we have been here forever. We have so much planned for the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been been easy but its not been super hard either. I think when you love what you do, it’s not hard. The challenges with building a business are the the things you don’t know until you know.
Most creative people like myself don’t like the details of back office stuff so most of my challenges come when I have to do paperwork, apy taxes, forecast future sales and pay bills.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I own, manager and operate a Dog Boutique in Myrtle Beach SC. We carry all natural dog treats, all natural wellness products and toy that are interactive for the dogs mental state. We have created a friendly environment where everyone is welcomed and once you shop with us you become a part of our Pups family and you are featured on the wall of the shop. It’s one of our favorite things to do and moms and dads seems to love to see their baby featured.
Every product that I source is from a small business like myself. I know that they have put a lot of love into making the products the same way I have in buying them, and telling their story connects us with our customers even more.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a happy child. I love to talk to strangers my mother would always say but looking back I just liked to talk to people, I was not aware at that age that they were strangers. I guess that has helped me excel in my life and career. I don’t look at people as strangers.
I believe that we are all more alike than different but I was always told as a child and even early adulthood that I was different. People want to always have a category to identify you with and when they can’t, they say your different. I’ve learned to lean into that and use it as a super power.
I’ve never been afraid of trying new things, experiencing something new and being judged never caused me concerned. I am a natural leader. I like to tell my own story as oppose to someone telling their version of it for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allthingspinksheep.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinksheeppups
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinksheeppups
