Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice.
Hi Janice, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a crafter all my life. Spent my adult life raising my kids on a farm about an hour away, started building and selling birdhouses at shows & markets… Post ’empty nest’, I needed more community, so i bought this old building on Main Street not knowing exactly what it would be. My son and I renovated it during the covid shut-down (he had lost his job during the pandemic). We started out very humbly- with no money. I invited vendors to sell for straight commission, no rent. I’ve been here five years now, and the shop has been a constantly evolving project. I jumped in with the volunteer groups (and jumped out)… but our little Main Street is truely a community of small businesses. With all the bumps & bruises we are growing and evolving. My many customers who have become friends and I all agree that it has great potential in the next five years or so. I will continue to do my part to help that happen. I’m finding that my ‘target market’ is anyone who sees the importance of their home environment and seeks to custom curate their home to reflect their best life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not all been smooth, but it has been the best venture/decision I ever made. Struggles were seeing and experiencing the differences between entities… Chamber of Commerce, City, Railroad, Parks… and the 501C3 Main Street organization. Most of these people have long histories- some enemies, some best friends. I am new to the street, and found my ideas and my volunteer time unappreciated, and sometimes disrespected. I’ve adopted the attitude that all the negativity is on them, I will continue to grow my business and myself regardless of the ‘noise’ on the street. I tend to think the best of people and have learned to establish personal boundaries and let others just live their lives with no grudges. I’m part of the new Main Street group and we are starting fresh. I’m not giving up. Meanwhile my shop is thriving. This has been my best year yet.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve always had an appreciation for nature, and the beauty of interior design. Like most, neccessity is the mother of invention. If I needed something, I usually found a way to make it. Once I discovered power tools, I set up a workshop & started working with architectural remnants. I became known for upcycling scraps into birdhouses. They were popular wherever I sold them. In the winter months, I crafted in an upstairs room with florals or fabric. I have an adult son with autism and we started working together- I could always find some way for him to contribute. Then his younger brother started making wood products and furniture to sell. In 2019 we bought this old building just in time for the pandemic. The shop has become our perfect solution to so many perceived problems. I have given many crafters opportunity to display their wares and have helped with my artistic input to develop a selling product. Now that I’m getting older, I’ve become more of a curator. I can stage and purchase products that get a lot of positive feedback. It’s my hope to be a part of building a good reputation for our Main Street.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Like best? The convenience of city living vs. rural. Like least? Wasted value of property from trashy, neglected places. Belton could be so ideal if more people would take a little pride, time and effort to at least clean up clutter. Such unneccessary blight.
Pricing:
- Since I am old school, and don’t get out and shop much, people tell me my prices are too low. I would say my business is more purpose than paycheck. I just try to be fair.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marcellasonmain.com
- Instagram: marcellasonmain
- Facebook: marcellasonmain
