decatur il commercial photographer – Page 2

December 29, 2016December 11, 2016

Petals | Small Business Feature

It’s time to feature Decatur’s number one location for custom-personalized EVERYTHING! Petals is a full-service gift shop and they specialize in personalization (especially birthday t-shirts!). Monograms, team spirit, you name it they can do it!

The Details: Kari Calhoun, Owner of Petals | In Business: 8 years

Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm & Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm | Location: 1351 Hickory Point Dr Suite C Forsyth, IL

Tell us about your business… What do you do? We are a full service gift shop. We not only sell fun women’s clothing and accessories, gifts for men, school spirit wear and gifts for all ages we personalize these gifts for you. Monogram your items, create fun tshirts for baby to adult, embroider most items or let us design rhinestone shirts for fun or your school. Birthday shirts are our specialty.

What makes your business unique/special? We create custom personalized items. Infant, toddler, youth and adult. From special 1^st birthday outfits to a funny tshirt for grandpa.

What item/service on your menu or in your shop do you just LOVE and think everyone needs? We love our custom birthday items. Tutus, diaper covers, bow ties, hats, banners, t shirts and onesies. Another fun item is our custom t-shirts. Funny sayings to business logos. We love helping you design something unique, fun and just what you want.

Tell us about YOU… WHY did you choose to do what you do? I decided 8 years ago to open a gift shop after leaving the medical field. It has evolved into a gift shop with personalization over the years. We grow each year and are very thankful for our repeat customers and organizations. I am married to a wonderful man that shares my passion for Petals and creating new products.

When did you know you wanted to go into this business? It was just the time for me. I had always wanted my own business and I was in a position to change jobs or create my own. I chose the latter.

In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer? We help them get exactly what they want. Sometimes you have an idea and we can make it become a reality. Taking a gift and making it personal sets it apart from everything else.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you? Become a friend. After 8 years in business some of my customers have become very close friends.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without? I could not do what I do without my embroidery machines, vinyl cutter, rhinestone software and sewing machine. All these tools help me create customer orders

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why? I would have to say Dels and Giggles. I love knowing I can go to either one of these and find exactly what I am looking for. As a small business owner, I have no time and hate shopping online. It’s great to know I can get great gifts local with wonderful businesses.

What are you passionate about outside of your business? My family and friends. Owning your own business is 24/7 job and when you create and make 80% or more of the items you carry, it really becomes your life. My friends and family understand this and will even come and work with me to spend time with me. It very important to have a support system.

Describe your PERFECT day… I think my perfect day happens very often. Honestly not all days are great, things go wrong, stress happens and it is hard wearing so many hats in a business, but I love what I do. Opening my shop every morning and sometimes looking around and seeing how far I have come makes a perfect day.

Introduce us to your STAFF…

Morgan Ground. High School Senior Maroa-Forsyth

Jessica Eastwood. Our newest employee who is skilled on creating embroidered items for our customer.

See the latest news at:

http://www.petalsgiftshop.com/

See our other past small business features to connect with more businesses in our area:

See more on our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @sjanephotog, Instagram @sjanephotograhy, and Snapchat @sjanephotog.

August 25, 2016November 10, 2017

Millie & Bo’s Pet Barkery | Small Business Feature

It’s time again for us to focus on another favorite local business in Decatur! This month we’re looking at someplace special for your fur babies, Millie & Bo’s Barkery. They have everything you need to spoil, treat and pamper your pooches (especially after a vet visit at Northgate Pet Clinic across the lot).

The Details: Charlene Fitzpatrick, Manager at Millie & Bo’s Pet Barkery | In Business: 14 years

Hours: T-F 9-5:30, Sat 9-3| Locations: 2890 N MLK Jr Drive, Decatur IL (located in Northgate Pet Plaza) | Phone: 217-872-1111

Tell us about your business…What do you do? Millie & Bo’s Barkery is an upscale dog bakery and boutique in Decatur, IL. We bake dog treats, sell unique dog toys, as well as greeting cards, and dog themed jewelry. We also have a large variety of dog-clothes in our store and we also offer unique gifts for that dog-lover in your life. We also sell dog food, including Fromm and Hill’s Science Diet.

What makes your business unique/special? Millie & Bo’s offers all-natural dog treats, most of which are made in-store. We also offer treats with frosting if you are looking for something a little extra-special for your pooch. We also offer unique products for your pooch, majority of which are made in the USA… and there’s a set of big hedgehog cages in case customers need some cuteness and a cheerful charge for a day.

In what way have you gone above and beyond in the past for a customer? We go above and beyond for customers by bringing in special order items that we don’t normally carry. We try to make sure we offer one-on-one service with all customers because we want everyone to love our store just as much as we do. We want to always make sure that our customers are happy when they leave our store.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you? Someone brought us homemade cookies at Christmas last year.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without? Why? I would say Beachy’s in Arthur because they supply us with all of our cooking necessities.

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why? Millie & Bo’s employees are frequent visitors at Coffee Connection for all of our lunch needs! And they also hand out our cookies to all of their visitors with dogs.

WHY did you choose to do what you do? My dream job came true at Millie & Bo’s. I started working as a baker here and then I was able to move into a managerial position. I love working with dogs and always being able to please my customers. And best of all, I get to bring some of my dogs to work!

When did you know you wanted to go into this business? Our goal at Millie & Bo’s is to provide fun in your pet’s life. Angee Baker is our owner and she started this business and named it after her two dogs at the time, Millie & Bo. Ten percent of our profits will always be given to animal care agencies!

What are you passionate about outside of your business? We are passionate about sponsoring and supporting dog-related events throughout Decatur, IL.

Describe your PERFECT day… A gratifying day is when we are able to have a lot of customers bring their dogs in!

Introduce us to your STAFF…

Charlene Fitzpatrick, Manager– Charlene has 9 dogs: 7 miniature dachshunds and 2 standard poodles. Charlene was also born and raised in Burbank, California.

Alexa Jones, Sales Associate/Baker– Alexa has two miniature Australian Shepherds named Redd and Blue. She attends Eastern Illinois University when she is not baking dog treats.

Nikki Macke, Sales Associate/Baker– Nikki has a lab mix named Murphy who she loves to take on long walks and she also enjoys spending time with her sons Adam and Max!

Gillian Jones, Sales Associate/Baker– Gillian is Alexa’s little sister and she will be playing volleyball at Parkland this fall.

*** They even have special pieces to help you remember your beloved pets once they’ve passed…

See the latest news at:

http://www.millieandbosbarkery.com/

See our other past small business features to connect with more businesses in our area:

See more on our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @sjanephotog, Instagram @sjanephotograhy, and Snapchat @sjanephotog

February 6, 2014March 6, 2018

Decatur IL Small Business: The Perfect Pair Antiques & Salon | Sarah Jane Photography

Its time again for our small business feature, the first of the year since I was gone most of January. I’m very excited to be featuring The Perfect Pair Antiques & Salon… that doesn’t even begin to highlight all the wonderful things this place offers!

I had wondered into Wanda’s shop once before but was re-introduced to this awesome space by Elizabeth VanHoutan (who you might remember from my September small business feature) who hosts her Paint Like Me Parties at The Perfect Pair. It’s come a long way in the past year and I love everything they’re offering right her locally. But Wanda can tell you better than I can so let’s hear from her….

The Details: Wanda Timmons, Owner of The Perfect Pair Antiques and Salon | In business 2 years!

Hours: 10:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday thru Saturday | Or By Appointment

Location(s): 266 N State Rt 121 Warrensburg, IL 62573

And be sure to check out The Perfect Pair Antiques and Salon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theperfectpairantiques

Tell us about your business… What do you do? Our business has taken MANY directions. What started off as a painting business and faux finishing school has turned into a Furniture refinishing, Repurposing of furniture, Paint Classes, Canvas Classes, Paint Parties, Distributor of Faux Effects Silver label paint products and a warehouse full of Furniture Consignment.

What makes your business unique/special? We strive to create a relationship with our customers to make their experience here memorable. Wanda is so detailed in her work and expects the same from her vendors. She wants her furniture pieces to be of such good quality that they can be handed down for generations.

Wanda has just about anything you could possibly imagine at The Perfect Pair… doors, custom painted furniture, antiques, mirrors, windows, frames, and even the kitchen sick!

What item/service on your menu or in your shop do you just LOVE and think everyone needs? Taking one of our Classes and creating a piece of art or learning a paint craft to me is one of the best parts of this business. I love seeing the look on the faces of both young and old when they have learned a new painting skill or created a piece of art.

I’ll have to agree with her on this one! Ryan and I took a Paint Like Me class at The Perfect Pair and LOVED it (yes Ryan loved it too). Our canvas was Christmas themed so we’re going to have to get back in there for another set we can leave up all year round!

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In what way have you gone above/beyond in the past for a customer? I strive to take any steps I can to make our customers experience one to walk away from with a since of appreciation. I never want a customer to feel like I don’t have time for them. Whether it be helping load a piece of furniture, taking a package to UPS late in the day, pouring off a small amount a paint product so they can try it out before investing in the larger amounts, adding a custom finish to a piece of furniture or having a custom piece of furniture built.

What is the coolest thing you’ve ever had a client do for you? Years ago when I was a painting contractor I had mentioned (one day while working in her home) that all I wanted for Christmas was a set of Christmas dishes and my family thought I was crazy. At the end of that job (several weeks later) she handed me an extra check and said go and buy those Christmas dishes. I went out the next day and bought them and now each year at Christmas I think of her.

What tool/equipment/or other vendor could you not imagine doing business without? Why? I have been blessed with many Vendors that I could not run this business without, too many to mention. From the quality of the product they bring in to sell, from the amount of help they provide when I call upon them. Of course, I am also blessed with an amazing Daughter that runs her Hair Salon out of the back of our showroom. Her and her customers in the beginning were the jump-start I needed.

What other local business do you just LOVE? Why? I really enjoy Del’s Popcorn Shop in Downtown Decatur. I love the environment when I go in there and sharing there products with family and friends around the country. My daughter in laws favorite gift is one of their caramel apples.

Introduce us to your STAFF…

Mandi Morlan: She is my right hand when it comes to the social media part of my business. I have seen the business grow so much since I hired her. Her writing skills and dedication to our business has been a true blessing.

Megan Timmons: Megan is not only my daughter but also my best friend and business partner. She is always there to pull up the slack when I need it most.

Mike Timmons: He is not only my husband, but also most of all he is my problem solver and every business needs a problem solver.

Tell us about YOU… WHY did you choose to do what you do? Out of high school I worked at a bank. I started as a messenger and worked my way up to a teller. I loved working with people. I strived to have the customer want to come to my window. I loved seeing them stand in my line to have me wait on them even when there were other windows open. Once I had my children my life long dream was to become the best mother on the face of this earth. After staying home for 4 years and the need for me to the make money for the extras (vacations, ball leagues, Christmas gifts, etc) and had to use a unemployed need money loan for these, then I decided after learning to paint and wallpaper my own home that would be the business for me. I would be able to schedule my business around my family. This is when Wanda’s Wallcovering took shape and from there, it turned into Designer Finishes (my faux finishing school and contracting business) and now the addition of The Perfect Pair is the rest of the story…where I still want my customer to choose me when it comes to the services I offer.

When did you know you wanted to go into this business? I have said many times in this journey that God has been my guide and lead me in every step and change of my business. I would have never guessed 26 years ago that this would be what I would be doing. I truly believe my purpose in this life is to serve, teach and provide a business for others and myself to prosper.

What are you passionate about outside of your business? Cooking. I love to cook, especially when I am able to cook for my family. Now that my children are grown and some having families of their own, it means so much when I am able to have family dinners together.

Describe your PERFECT day…
I would describe the perfect day as one where I could be in my paint room with my granddaughters. When one of them ask “Memaw can we go to the Paint Shop?” I want for nothing else in this world. It is our playground! Being able to help them create and learn my trade is something I hope to be able to pass down to them.

I hope that when my day on this earth is over that my family and customers will be able to look at the life I have lead and saying she was truly passionate and loved her God, Family, Job and life to the fullest.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: If you’d like to have your business featured on the SJP blog please visit the following link to download the information/questionnaire form which you can email back to mail@sjanephotography.com. We are now booking for 2014 features and showcase one business each month. Your feature includes FREE 20 minute location shoot by Sarah Jane Photography, blog and facebook feature and web images to use on your online spaces (facebook/website/etc).

Download the information here:https://www.dropbox.com/s/urr7zdkh64szon7/MarketingBusinessFeatures.doc