What inspired Connie’s business?

In the 1990s, when Connie was catering summer tent weddings, the only rental linens available were white, ivory, forest green, and burgundy. She was inspired by photos of beautiful table tops in magazines and went out on a limb and started sewing and purchasing her own.

Business Highlights

Connie founded The Linen Shop in the late 1990s to address the lack of variety in rental linens for events. Her business is big enough to offer an impressive selection of rental linens and small enough to offer personalized service and attention to detail! She delivers to a loyal following of caterers, florists, rental companies and wedding venues throughout VT and New England as well as individual party planners and brides. There are not many rental companies in Vermont and using the Linen Shop negates having to ship linen across the country, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of each special event. Over the years, her business has grown significantly, multiplying sales by five in the last decade.

How CWE Has Helped Connie

CWE has been instrumental in helping her develop an exit strategy for The Linen Shop. Their support provided connections to resources and agencies, mentoring, and enthusiasm to keep her focused on her goals. CWE’s network has empowered Connie to explore creative options, such as mentoring a new owner or offering a work-to-own opportunity, ensuring her business thrives while maintaining its legacy in the community.

How Does She Feel About Owning Her Own Business?

With the exception of a couple of part-time jobs in her late teens and early twenties, she has started several businesses, running several simultaneously. Connie would rather peel shrimp until 2 a.m. (which she did when she catered) or iron for 12 hours straight for The Linen Shop than go to the same 9-5 office every day. She personally enjoys the challenges and the problems that need to be solved with the reward of seeing happy customers and passing on the knowledge she has learned through self-employment to the next generation. She feels proud and fulfilled, enjoying the challenges, independence, and rewards of creating a successful business that supports her community and family.

How has the journey of building her own business changed Connie’s life

Connie explains that owning her own business may not have "changed" her life as much as "created" a life. She had obligations and responsibilities that the average 9-5er would not, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going! Sometimes she says "if I knew then what I know now"...but the learning curve gave her the experience needed to build a foundation that supported each new venture. In the end, the process was more important than the goal.

What creating a business of her own has done for Connie

Owning her own business has been a perfect fit for her - independent, controlling, stubborn and opinionated! She also approached business ownership with the no fear factor, the work ethic and the perseverance to keep growing. She explains that she didn't know what she didn't know. She hopes she's taught her kids and some of my young employees that that's okay. You learn as you go and with a good product and the willingness to work hard, success will find you!

She wants you to know this about CWE

You don't have to do this alone! If you are interested in starting, purchasing or growing an existing business there are so many resources available. It's never too late to improve and CWE is always ready to help.

Learn More About Connie
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