Consider the Wildflowers
Consider the Wildflowers
101. Shanna Massey: Disney Trips & Blue Bell - The Financial Freedom Found In Entrepreneurship
From hustling on the playground selling plastic lanyard string to selling her own Shanna Banana Jewelry line while working her way through PT school, Shanna Massey, owner of Vintage Rugs by the Bay, always carried the heart & soul of an entrepreneur. Why buy one thing when you could buy a few extra & sell the rest? If you’re an entrepreneur, I’m sure you can relate.
While building her family’s dream home, Shanna jumped on the wild idea to order a few extra vintage turkish rugs. Fast forward to today, and she’s surpassed 6 figures in sales with a business that shows no signs of slowing down. In this conversation they discuss investing in inventory, manufacturing, leaving a full-time position, maintaining boundaries, & the financial freedom found in entrepreneurship. Hello disney trips & taking the camp kids out for ice cream.
Buckle up for this Shanna squared episode, it’s a fun one!
WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES: shannaskidmore.com/shanna-massey
📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Stitchy Fish
Charles Philips Antiques
The 4 Money Personalities
CONNECT WITH SHANNA:
Website | Instagram
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This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
There was one that pops into my mind. We had the sweet local store that came asking me, Hey, you should bring your rugs by sometime, and whatever. And so it's just so hard to get rugs places, and she has a smaller shop and to fit them in, I knew logistically wasn't gonna work. And my kids schedule, it's just like, When can I get them there? And so a competitor came from out of town and brought her rugs, and she's like, Shanna, I was like, there's no hard feelings. Like, you've asked me a bunch of times. She's like, she made so much money. And I was like, I know. And I told her, I was like, I'm just, I just don't hustle as hard as her. And when I thought about that, I regret saying that, because you know what, I'm hustling very hard. I'm trying to keep my kids alive and whatever, all the things, but I took a step back. I'm like, You know what? I'm like, I'm working hard, but it's just not my priority to make that much more money at this very moment. You know I'm okay with that.
Lauren / Team Skidmore:Hey, friends, Lauren from Team Skidmore here, and you're listening to consider the wildflowers the podcast episode 101 in this episode, Shanna Massey, founder of vintage rugs by the bay, joins us on the show from hustling on the playground selling plastic lanyard string to selling her own Shanna banana jewelry line while working her way through PT school, Shanna Massey always carried the heart and soul of an entrepreneur. Why buy one thing when you could buy a few extra and sell the rest, a thought process I'm sure many of us listening can relate to while building her family's dream home, Shanna jumped on the wild idea to order a few extra vintage Turkish rugs, maybe someone would want to buy the rest. Fast forward to today, and she surpassed half a million in sales with a business that shows no signs of slowing down in this conversation, Shanna and Shanna discuss investing in inventory manufacturing, leaving a full time position, maintaining boundaries and the financial freedom found in entrepreneurship. Hello Disney trips and taking the neighborhood kids out for ice cream. Buckle up for this Shanna squared episode. It's gonna be a fun one. Let's dive in. Hey,
Shanna Skidmore:it's Shanna, and this is consider the wildflowers. The podcast. For the past 15 plus years, I've had the honor to hear 1000s of stories from entrepreneurs around the world. As a former fortune 100 financial advisor turned business consultant, I have a unique opportunity to see the real behind the highlight reel. I'm talking profit and loss statements, unpaid taxes, moments of burnout and those of utter victory, or, as my husband says, the content everyone is wondering, but not many are talking about. And now I'm bringing these private conversations to you. Hear the untold stories of how industry leaders, founders and up and coming entrepreneurs got their start, the experiences that shaped them and the journey to building the brands they have today, stories that will inspire and reignite, encourage to redefine success and build a life and business on your own terms. Welcome, Wildflower, I'm so glad you're here. Hey, Shanna, welcome to the show.
Unknown:Hi.
Shanna Skidmore:Shanna squared Shannon,
Shanna Massey:this never happened. Maybe
Shanna Skidmore:I know it's very rare. It happens. Very rare. Welcome, this is so fun. Well, we have just become besties already through our conversation before we hit record, you just joined the blueprint model, which is exciting. So tell everybody who you are, Shanna and what business you own, and then we're going to kind of kick it back to like backstory. Okay,
Shanna Massey:so my name is Shanna Massey, and I run a online rug business selling both vintage and new rugs, and I run it out of a shop that is located on our property.
Shanna Skidmore:That makes me so happy. I didn't know it was on your property. Yeah, it's
Shanna Massey:in my backyard. Okay, I
Shanna Skidmore:have so many like, how did you get into this? How did this get started? How did you get it in your house? But before all that, tell us your back story. What's your back
Shanna Massey:history? So if we go, like, way, way, take it way, way back. I was a little girl like, hustling. Do you remember that lanyard, plastic lanyard string that you could get growing up, that you would like? Yes. So I remember going to the store to, like, Hobby Lobby, and saw the big spool and the small thing, and I'm like, Oh, I can buy the big spool and save money, but my friends want to school. So what if I sell it to them? The same price. Hobby Lobby is selling the small so I was, I was like, selling string on the playground. Okay, for entrepreneur from the beginning. So I love it start there. But, um, that was not like, I didn't even, I didn't grow up in a household where business was a big deal at all, and I really didn't even think that would be like a real job. And so in high school, I had a teacher who was like, I think you'll really like, like physical therapy. So I really kind of got stuck on that in high school and made really good grades. I get into physical therapy school. But while I was in undergrad, I worked for a business who was a friend of the family that made children's jewelry, or adult and children's jewelry. And so I, um, I worked with her and helped design kids lines. And so when I stopped working there, I started a business in college, um, Shannon banana jewelry. Appreciate that. Gotcha,
Shanna Skidmore:Shannon banana. Was that your nickname, by the way? Shannon banana, yes, yeah. And
Shanna Massey:so Shannon banana jewelry I was hustling was back in the still pot today, so I would like may jewelry, and then I would bring people's houses, and we'd sell in the houses. And so I graduated undergrad, went to PT school, got into PT school, and I was still doing this business. And I went into I went in Birmingham to PT school, and so I would go to people's place of business, say, Would you like to buy my jewelry? So while I was in PT school, I was also selling jewelry. So that ended once I in the middle of PT school, I just couldn't handle it anymore. And so I was a physical therapist, like my dream for, I guess, 12 years of practice, and recently stopped. And so while we built our house, and so while we were building our house, I was like, hey, I want these rugs from my house, and I think there may be a market for it. I'll try to sell them. And that's kind of how it all started. I was selling them from under my bed. Okay,
Shanna Skidmore:so entrepreneurship is just ingrained in your soul.
Shanna Massey:I mean, I've always been a hustler, you know? I appreciate like,
Shanna Skidmore:I don't know. Yes, your brain just works. It works that way, yeah, like, if I want to buy a rug, maybe someone else does too, so why don't I just sell it to them? Right? Not just like I'm gonna go buy rug, right? That would be too easy.
Shanna Massey:Yes, way too easy. My mind does not work. It's gone. Okay,
Shanna Skidmore:so tell me about early days of business, which tell me when did you when did this all happen? Building your house, yes,
Shanna Massey:starting to sell rugs. That was about 420, 19. End of 2019 we were building our house during COVID joyous occasion, but so we were living in a two bedroom apartment while we were building our house, and three kiddos, three kids, actually two at that point in time. So two kids in a two bedroom apartment, and we were like, I said, I would I bought rugs, and my initial purchase was like, Hey, Mark, my husband, can I have a wild hair brain idea that I think actually may work? And so I was like, what if I buy the minimum random rugs that I can make some money on, and I'll pick ones that I think will look good in our house. So if all else fails, we're out. If you you know, we're out the initial investment. And if it flops, we've got rugs for our house. Okay, yeah, so there really wasn't a big risk, and I kind of don't consider myself an entrepreneur, per se, because there was never a big risk. We're always living I was working part time as a physical therapist, so we're always kind of living on his salary, yeah, and I never wanted to take our family into debt other than this initial debt, you know, with, with, you know, the side hustle, yes, per se, yeah. So anyway, sold them from under the bed, and initially and, and it worked. It was doing good. Instagram kind of blew up in 2020. They started selling more. And I just took the money I earned on those first rugs, and just kept compounding it into more inventory.
Shanna Skidmore:Okay, so many questions my brain is so Okay, tell me about early days, like, did you have a website? Did you? How did you source your like, you don't have to tell us your source, but yeah, how did you even figure out how to source them and how to price them? And how did you ship them? Like, just talk about these early days and how you figured it out
Shanna Massey:shipping. Yeah, so, so I had, initially, I just sold them on Facebook marketplace initially, just to see if there was any kind of, you know, it wasn't really a business yet. And so once I saw, Oh, wow, I'm selling them. I'm gonna go ahead and get a logo and business and got a website. Well, while we were living in our apartment, I had a friend that lived next door, and she runs a very successful children's clothing line called stitchy fish, right? So she owns that. And so she was, this has been kind of like my she said, Oh, no, don't do square website. You need to do Shopify. So I was constantly bouncing ideas off of Lauren, who was one of, you know, she was very helpful to me in that regard. So, so anyway, I got I figured out online. I found like somebody that could get, you know, rugs from and then, um, were they going to be good? I wasn't sure. I was really flipping the coin. I was really flipping the coin, um, and so, um, importing them from Turkey. And then, um, so, yeah, so imported from Turkey, and just sold them locally initially, and then I started shipping. And shipping isn't as bad as you thought, but it was definitely took some time to figure out. So
Shanna Skidmore:tell me about pricing. Do you feel like you nailed the pricing up front? Did was that a learning curve of like, how to get the prices right? And how did you find a market? How are you marketing?
Shanna Massey:Yes as well. So marketing was primarily on Instagram, which I know is not your favorite, but it really was. So selling them, I really sold them on Instagram initially, and then, what was your other question? I'm sorry for that,
Shanna Skidmore:pricing. How did you feel like did you get it right? Did you Yes? So
Shanna Massey:I knew from working in the retail sector on that initial like in undergrad, that it needed to be at least like two, two and a half time markup, markup, what I paid. And so actually did know that initially just and I'd sold the jewelry too. So I knew, I knew I had a banana Shannon banana I needed to, you know, make enough. I knew that relative markup, what I wanted to make on it.
Shanna Skidmore:What would you say went really well in those early days, and what did not go well? If anything, yeah,
Shanna Massey:I mean, I would get rugs in. I'm like, That is not what I ordered, you know. And so initially I kind of sold. I was kind of, you know, going different ideas. So I would go to people's homes, and I would kind of say, Oh, this will look good. I'll try to source a rug this size that looks like this for you, and order something specific. Well, these people taking pictures of rugs and Turkey that is not very, very reliable. And so I learned pretty quickly that, you know, buying specifically for someone was not going to be the way I made money, you know. I mean, now I manufacture my own line with very predictable colors and stuff like that. But yes, the the that's probably my biggest I was like, oh, man, this is, this is not good. I just, yeah, I remember spending like, 400 $500 on this one rug to this lady. And, like, just being like, it was eating at me, like, oh my gosh, this is all the money I have for the business right now. Will it work, you know? Like, like, nothing, you know, and waiting for in the Home Depot parking lot to see if she liked it or not. I mean, that's kind of how it started.
Shanna Skidmore:Okay, so, were you taking photographs? Tell me about the growth. Did it just pick up on Instagram? Did you just start getting, like, a ton of people wanting to buy like, how did it go from under your bed to now you have a facility, a warehouse, I don't know what you want to call it in on your property?
Shanna Massey:Yeah, so, so local people started to find out more, and then Instagram, like I said, it kind of blew up. We have a local antique place here that is well known around the South called Charles Phillips antiques. And so at the time, we have moved into our home, and I was literally have people over and show them my rugs in my living room, okay? And and one of those people's was Mr. Charles's wife and his daughter, and said, they said, why don't you come out one day and bring your rugs? And at this point, I did not have large rugs because they are large rugs are expensive, and they're a large investment on my part. And I could not, I was not willing to take that risk. Yeah. And so when we, I was going out, there people are like, do you have nine by 12? Do you have nine by twelves. And they kept asking, and I'd have to say no, because I did it. And so I was able to sell enough while I was out there that I could get a few big rugs. And so they really like was there. I felt like people associated me as legitimate at that point in time around here locally, because I was affiliated, not really affiliated, but Charles Phillips had invited me out, and that was a major, yeah, and that was a major turning point in, like, the business, going from small, little, small rugs to to really being able to get dive into the bigger stuff.
Shanna Skidmore:Okay, so were you taking and answer this, if you want, you can say no, were you taking all of the money you were making and then turning around and buying more inventory. Like, how did you I feel like inventory is, yeah, hardest piece of this type of business, because it's
Shanna Massey:initially, like, my kids know that I work to go to Disney or, you know, we were initially, I just want to make enough money to get my kids to Disney World, because we were building the house like that was my first goal. And so we would take a little bit out for fun money. But most of it was just rolling back in and growing that inventory, honestly not paying. I mean, I was also working part time still, so it was just growing, yeah, getting inventory mostly. Okay.
Shanna Skidmore:Now tell me, so bring me up to speed today. So at some point you've quit your physical therapy job. Yes, you, I'm assuming, are replacing your physical therapy salary with rug money. Yes. How has it? How? Yeah, just bring me up to speed to today and just talk through even just the mindset of from side hustle to now, this is my thing,
Shanna Massey:right, right? And so, really, my transition physical therapy is such an awesome job. I worked with, like, neurological patients and so, you know, to teach them from not walking to walking again. Like, what a rewarding career. You know? I mean, it really. You know, it really is a cool job. And so the biggest thing was time with my kids. So while I was only working part time, I still had to give them quite a few weekends. And I was working at the hospital at the time I stopped. And so they called me in, and I was kind of considering quitting and doing the rugs that really, like, Lord knew I needed, like, I needed the kick in the rear. And so my boss called me, and she's like, instead of working this amount of weekends, we're gonna need you to, like, basically double it. And I was like, you know, it's not the best thing for my family right now. I've got this going. Let me try it out. I was like, we're gonna leave on good terms, and if I want to come back, like, they would hire me, it was no like, ill will. But I was like, I think it's a good time to, like me, to step out and see if this can actually be something, you know. And what year was that? Um, that was 2223
Shanna Skidmore:22 so you had been doing the rugs as a sinuso for two or three years. People
Shanna Massey:went to the hospital, and I'd hand them a rug at my lunch break. I mean, it was, it was, it was hilarious. But yeah. I mean, how
Shanna Skidmore:is juggling? I'm skipping ahead a little bit, but I just want to hear Yeah, juggling, working part time, having a side hustle, having a baby in this time. And so three now, three kiddos. Talk me, yeah, tell me through that. Shanna,
Shanna Massey:so it doesn't look the best, honestly. I mean, I'd be lucky. We were talking earlier, like to get 15 hours, maybe not even 15 at that point in time. And once the baby came, we normally keep our kids home the first year and have like a nanny. And so our nanny was not like a regular all the time. It was like, Oh, I can come most Fridays and some Tuesdays, and that's when I would work. And then during that time, yeah. And so then she went down to one nap. And guess what? I signed up too late to get her into school when she turned one, yeah. So back, she was home with me again and again. Nap time to babysit her. Yes. Yes. Yeah.
Shanna Skidmore:What kept you motivated? Like, did you just enjoy the rug so much? Was there? Evan, like,
Shanna Massey:I enjoy the challenge of business. I think, yeah, I just enjoy the figuring it all out. How am I gonna figure out the shipping? What are people responding to most in marketing? Is it influencer worth it? You know, it's challenging to me, and I enjoy being stimulated. Like, you know, that challenge something? Yeah, okay, so
Shanna Skidmore:let me get back on script. Looking back, do you see a major turning point in your business, like, when things really started to catch was there any major pivots or shifts, just kind of walk me through, looking back any major turning points where you're like, this is this is happening?
Shanna Massey:Yeah? Um, yeah. When we I went to Charles Phillips, and then I got the nine by twelves, and they actually sold. And then I was able to, what I did was, you know, I just turned around and bought double the amount of nine by twelves, and they all sold. And I was like, Whoa, I can keep some of this money for myself. Now, you know, like, and so that that's really fun. And I really, I've turned to more of a designing the rugs. Now, I was able to get into manufacturing my rugs, which is primarily what I'm doing now, um, yeah, you'll talk me through that, yes. So when I get a vintage rug in, I've got to take a picture of it, all the pictures, measure it, upload everything online. And so there's a lot of time taken to get in the vintage world to like actually. And honestly, did I calculate that time into my prices? No, no. And so now that I'm manufacturing, I find that people want to remote. People need a sample, you know, and so I can give them a sample. I still use, like a vintage inspiration and kind of a traditional look that kind of sets me apart from my competitors. But that is really what I'm focused on now, is, is that manufacturing my online. Okay, how
Shanna Skidmore:did you get into manufacturing? How did this come to be?
Shanna Massey:Oh my goodness. So this girl called me at one point in time, and she's like, I'd really like to help you with your business. And I can't remember where she was from now, this is in the very early days. I remember vividly. I was driving across, I live in Ferro Alabama, driving to mobiles on the bay, and I'm thinking this girl is spilling her entire guts about how to, like do this business, like she was just telling me everything I need to know about making my own rugs, because she was a liaison from this manufacturer in India here. And so at that point, it was not something I could jump into. And then, then once I got to that point where I was ready. And I love creative things. I love designing, and I love choosing the colors and making things pretty. And so, um, I knew with my, my um, jewelry business, that I did not, I was not the person that needed to continue manufacturing. I'd done that one time, and I did not want to make 20 of the same thing, sure. And so, um. So it's really fun. So kind of that initial call got the thought spurring, and then probably two years later, and what I had to do was find in manufacturing as somebody who could not only manufacture a good quality product, but could they do it repetitively. So it took me a good two years, because it take three months to make a rug? Yeah, to really, you know, find some good manufacturers.
Shanna Skidmore:Yeah, this is also interesting. Okay, let's, I'm gonna talk numbers for a minute. How have you, like, set goals for your business? Where are you? I don't think, yeah, money is not always our motivator, but challenge, it sounds like model challenge I already know is your core motivator. Luck one. So did you set personal financial goals? Did you set business financial goals when you started making good money in the business? Like, how did you feel like, I just want to hear about the money growth?
Shanna Massey:How did I feel surprised? Yeah, you know, because even now it's so funny, people are like, do you still sell roads? I'm like, Yeah, I do. You know, just kind of downplay it, like, Huh? But yeah, the first couple years, I gosh, the first four years, I definitely doubled my business. And then revenue, revenue, sales, sales, and so then when I got into the big rubs, um, they it was two and a half times, yeah. And so that was a huge year of growth, um, and then, um, like I said, this past year was, again, we doubled, and this year is looking at like 40% growth. So I'm leveling off a little bit now, you know, but work smarter, not harder, right? So I'm trying to streamline some processes and get some you know stuff in action that I can kind of
Shanna Skidmore:have you seen organic traffic continue to or, like Instagram, social media? Have you seen any changes in your marketing over the last few years? Or has it been pretty consistent, like, local, the local shop you were talking about, and like, that's that's provided?
Shanna Massey:Yeah, yeah, no. So I've only been outside the local shop twice, because the second time we had to get a U haul. Do you know how heavy these rugs are? I mean, in connected and so it's not worth it. People ask me do a pop up and stuff. It's just so much physical labor. But what I've done, yes, I've seen a major shift in Instagram and influencers. I was working that world quite a bit there for a while, and it just kind of tanks. And so what I really found was, from my mom, my time standpoint, is, Where can I get the most bang for my buck in selling these? And my repeat clients are my designers, yes. And so looking at the numbers and figuring out, how can I work in some trade, trade discount, you know, because they work on a discount program, um, and really, really, you know, keen in on these designers, and working with them over and over again has really, in the last year been my focus. And so I've, I've mailed out physical handout, you know, little brochures. I mean, I've done, like the real old school stuff, actually, you know, yeah, and this first time, my first mail out was just because I didn't want it to grow too fast. I'm always nervous about that and so, so I just did local designers, and then I reach out, yeah, I just email designers and say, Hey, this is me. This is my website. What you think you know, and I've gotten so much, just a lot of sales from that. Did you
Shanna Skidmore:ever like when Instagram started changing and you saw maybe, probably those shifts since it was your number one marketing tool in the beginning? Did you panic? Or were you just like, Okay, next, next, like, I'm
Shanna Massey:going back to the hospital.
Shanna Skidmore:Honestly. So not panicked at all.
Shanna Massey:I do keep my license. I've always say, if rugs tank, then, you know. But yes, I mean, I didn't see a decrease in my sales. I just kind of pivoted and pursued other areas. Yeah, yeah.
Shanna Skidmore:It has been interesting. I have done this. I have worked with entrepreneurs. Now. I need to count 15 plus years, I mean, and we talk a lot about pivots, and a lot of people pivot their offers in different seasons of life, they pivot offers. But you know what has been so interesting, Shanna in the last couple years, it's always pivoting in the marketing. It's like post COVID times. Our marketing has had to really adjust as small business owners so much, and we have to be nimble and quick. And it's funny that you said old school marketing, like I so my first. Career in finance as a as a fortune 100 financial advisor. So for five years, I was picking up the phone 30 to 40 times a day, introducing myself to people that did not know me, that either I got referred to through a friend. I picked up a phone book and found them, and like I got so good at repeating my you know, Hi, I'm Sharon skimor. This is what I do, and I think that has served me so well, because sometimes you just got to pick up the phone and tell people around, yeah, coming back around it. Just drop,
Shanna Massey:you know, for my remote customers, you know, I'll drop in via email. But you know, here, and I don't really I, I've tried to, like, keep, keep most of my time spent at my shop or in my shop and and designing and packing. But you know, if I drop my kid off real quick at daycare and I run into a designer, you know, just to make sure, and I feel like what I've learned the most is, if people can relate to you, they know you're relatable, and they know you trustworthy, they're going to come back again and again. Yes, yes. And so I want them, you know, I'm sponsoring a breakfast for something coming up, and I'm like, the only way I'll do this is if you let me come Yes, because I want them, not, yeah, my brands, but I want them to know me and that they're buying from me and my family and you're supporting me, not like this gigantic company. Yeah,
Shanna Skidmore:I love that. Shannon, you probably haven't gotten to this part in the blueprint model yet. I don't know, but there's something I teach all my students, and I tell them, in your sales process, have some form of video, face, face time, in person, interaction, because people buy from people, and they have to know that you that's why Aaron benzeki, who owns a flower farm,
Shanna Massey:to that one. Yeah, my picture to my email right after that.
Shanna Skidmore:Yeah, add it, yeah. Put your picture in your email so they see that it's coming from a real person. So I love it. Okay, let's keep moving. I want to hear about your relationship with money, and I'm gonna pinpoint this a little differently, in the sense of, since you're personally it sounds like your personal finances were covered, maybe by your husband's income. Do you feel like that allowed you to make different decisions in growing your business? And then kind of more broadly, what do you feel like has come naturally or easily when it comes to money and what has not?
Shanna Massey:Yeah. So yeah, I do feel like, you know, with my husband, with a steady job, and us pretty much, we operate pretty much on his income, it gave me a lot of freedom. I'm not very risky, though, gave me quite a bit of freedom, you know, just to turn around and put more money into the business initially and still today. I mean, we're building a barn, or we have a building we're adding on right now, and all that is just coming from cash from the business. And so, yeah, it's just not putting ourselves in a financial position that we're strapped because of this business is my biggest goal. And so and, and, you know, with relationship with money, I grew up in a home. Initially we had two bedrooms and a window air conditioner unit in South Louisiana, and then my dad built our house, like over three years by himself, kind of thing. And my mom is always like, you don't spend money you don't have. You don't spend money you don't have. So I feel like that's ingrained in me, you know, and so just being wise with how I'm spending it, and knowing that the more I get, I guess my relation is, the more I get, the more I can give. Yeah, you know, I remember being a camp counselor, and my parents were super tight, tight, tight, and being a camp counselor, and one of my friends died every Friday, after all the campers left, he would bring us Bluebell ice cream. And that was and I was always like, can I be like the blasix? Can I want when I get older, to be able to bring the kids to ice cream. You have made it, right? You know, I just wanted to make, you know that to me, that was just like, now I look on it, I'm like, it's $40 you know, or whatever. But like the feeling I got, I was like, I want to be like them, be able to give to people like that.
Shanna Skidmore:Yeah, I love that. That's so good. I I wonder if anybody listening, I have that moment too, because I did not grow up in a family with a lot of money. But I know if, if I could do this, one thing that to me was like, I have made it and and then, Shanna, you don't have to answer this, but I wonder, now that you can provide the Bluebell ice cream, has it become bigger? You know, has has it like, now it's like, oh, it has to be something else. Or, you know, when I did that, it's like, that lifestyle creep kind of thing, yeah,
Shanna Massey:yeah. So, yeah. I mean, they needed the same camp. It's a camp my grandparents helped start numbers to bring my kids back to it, and it molded me in life. And so they needed monk. Beds for a cabin, you know, just be able to help them. Yeah, you know, we can get the ice cream in the Bucha beds now, you know, like it's a huge you know, it's just a blessing. And can we bless others?
Shanna Skidmore:Somebody told me that money does not change you. It just puts a spotlight on who you already are. And I just love that. It sounds like you've stayed true to your heart of the Bluebell ice cream now the bunk beds like because I think sometimes when our business says, well, we spend money differently, that can happen. And it's like, i i In my own business and personal finances have to reset and be like, Oh, wait, whoa. Let's put the brakes on and go back to who we are, who we are, at our core and what matters. What would you say? Shanna is the best thing you have learned about money. Um,
Shanna Massey:like I said before, I think just being wise and and I think I started with a good foundation with, like, when my mom's, like, do not send money you don't have. And I see, you know, all my friends driving a nicer car than we are. And then I say, Oh, now, you know, 20 years later and see where they are, you know, you know, just, just spending it wisely. I mean, I think my husband does a better job because we didn't go many vacations and things like that. Like, he's like, spending more money on on vacations and, you know, things like that, personally and providing our kids with memories, we also like to invest our money there. And so he's, he's taught me a little bit more about, let him get the, yeah, get the bubble wand at Dollywood. I'm like, that's a waste of money, you know. Like, there are some things that, you know,
Shanna Skidmore:that's a unicorn bubble one,
Shanna Massey:yeah, that's a splurge, you know, even eating out, like, go into, you know, Chick fil A, I'm like, Y'all remember, this is special. This is not, you know, something that everyone gets to do, yeah, they're gonna hate me later in life. But that's really, I mean, no,
Shanna Skidmore:I think it's such a good point, because for some people, I think, you know the financially responsible thing to do is, like you said, not spend money you don't have. But on the flip side, I think some people have to learn that we talk about money personalities. One of them is the saver or the hoarder, right? And not spending money can also become a stronghold, like a fear based so going out and like, okay, let's buy the bubble wand and spend overspend on the for me, it used to be, not anymore, but because I kicked my addiction, but going to the gas station and getting a Diet Coke, because the gas that's so frivolous, like, you cannot go buy a Diet Coke because that's way overspending go anyway. So I love it so much. Before we go into a quick fire session, you're a mom of three. Yes, you're working this thing. What would you say? You know, in a world that asks us to do everything, well, how are you finding the harmony between growing your business, going after that big challenge, which you love, and also being the wife, the mom, the friend, the sister you know that you want to be,
Shanna Massey:yeah, I mean, I really, you know, have to keep, you know, in Priority my family is, is number one, and that's why I'm doing this, is to be able to go to my kids, you Know, field trips, and go pick them up from school. My mom was a teacher, so she never got to do that. She worked at a different school, and so that was something I wanted to be able to provide for them. And so at the same time, I feel like, recently, I'm like, You know what? I need to do the work part of it a little bit more, you know, like for me, because I enjoy that. And yeah, and so it's really just the summer kit, and you can understand, but the summer makes it a little more bogged down, and the summer has just ended here. And so I'm like, Yes, I get some me time, get to work. But I typically work maximum 20 out if I'm if I hit 10 hours some weeks, yeah, it's good, but yeah, just, you know, I just remembering that. You know, the kid the household is is primary, and, yeah, the business is secondary, is kind of how we roll around here. Yeah,
Shanna Skidmore:I love it. Okay, let's quick fire. Okay, what is one thing you would be embarrassed if people knew?
Shanna Massey:Well, I've got two things for you. Give it to me. First thing is, our house is kind of in a rural area, and I ran an online business for two years with no high speed internet. Yeah. Oh, no, listen, oh, so, so we had a hot spot, a Verizon hot spot, that would work if I put it in the office, like window, I could get enough to, like, peruse the website, but I could not upload a picture. So what I would do is I would get everything ready, okay, literally, I would get everything ready that I needed all the pictures taken during the day and go sit in car line. Yeah, and upload to my website because I had better service in Carla and picking my kids up from school two years, two
Shanna Skidmore:years. That's dedication right there to the cause, let
Shanna Massey:me tell you. And then when I got it, I'm like, this is such a luxury. And it went out the other day, and I'm like, Oh my gosh, can't print anything now, so two years, two years with no high speed internet, and the other one, the other thing is, I got contacted by your people to do a podcast, and I've literally listened to three episodes of any podcast known to man in my whole entire life prior to that. But let me tell you what, when I got contacted, I bought myself some earbuds, and I've been listening, and I'm learning from your podcasts. It's
Shanna Skidmore:a good one. It's a good one. I love it. Well, thanks for coming on the show. First podcast interview that's exciting, yeah, all right, any regrets or wish you could do over moments. There was
Shanna Massey:one that pops into my mind, and we had the sweet local store that kept asking me, Hey, you should bring your rugs by sometime, and whatever. And so it's just so hard to get rugs places, and she has a smaller shop and to fit them in, I knew logistically wasn't gonna work. And my kids schedule, it's just like, When can I get them there? And so a competitor came from out of town and brought her rugs, and she's like, Shannon, I was like, there's no hard feelings. Like, you've asked me a bunch of times. She's like, she made so much money. And I was like, I know. And she said, I told her, I was like, I'm just, I just don't hustle as hard as her. And when I thought about that, I regret saying that, because, you know what, I'm hustling very hard. I'm trying to get my kids alive and whatever all the things, but I took a step back. I'm like, You know what? I'm like, I'm working hard, but it's just not my priority to make that much more money at this very moment. You know, I'm okay with Shannon
Shanna Skidmore:everything you just said. I feel like hit so interestingly, like you are hustling as hard as her but you have maybe different priorities, restriction, restrictions under time or boundaries, or, I don't know the word that I'm looking for, restriction is not the right word. But yes, I think we shame ourselves so much. I do this. I know I do this. Maybe people listening do this like I'm not there, I'm not where that person is, or if I just worked harder, I could be here, but it's like, no, you are choosing in this season to maintain the boundaries that you have. So you're hustling hard, but I've got 10 hours a week, and that's gonna put a boundary on something. So Right? And she's, I'm
Shanna Massey:like, this girl's got great at it. It's all great and beautiful step, but I just you're not there. Have the, yeah, it's not in my season of life. It's not what I can I think
Shanna Skidmore:about that a lot, especially now, because my Season of Life has recently changed, adding a second, little, tiny person, and which has been such a dream, what a gift. But it's also like I have to recognize I don't have, you know, a spouse that stays at home. I don't have, you know, other people's circumstances are different, and so they might be able to give more in different seasons, but I'm just learning a lot about do what you can in this season and the business. I just, I truly believe business is about longevity, and there's high seasons and there's low season. That's why I'm such an advocate for like, what is enough for you right now in this season, give yourself permission to run in seasons where you want to run and slow down. In seasons where you have 10 hours a week. Okay, that was good. I'm gonna get off that horse for a second and Okay, big win, or pinch me moment. Um,
Shanna Massey:I guess the biggest win, I don't know. I guess we hit half a million in sales last year. So that was a very pinch me moment, because if you would have ever told me that, I would have been like, You're
Shanna Skidmore:a liar. Yeah,
Shanna Massey:no way. That was exciting. And yeah, so it's good,
Shanna Skidmore:all right, best advice, or really good advice that you've received, um, I've
Shanna Massey:already mentioned the don't send the money you don't have. But if it's not a yes, it's a no, it's probably some of the best. You know, I have people. I'm a horrible sales person. I come to my shop and like, maybe I'm like, Nope, that's a no, that's a no. If it's not a yes, it's a no. And I feel like that's applicable in so many areas, so many areas, you know, like I was, you know, going back and forth on bringing my rugs to her shop. And, you know what? It wasn't a yes at this it's just naughty yes in the season, yeah, you know. And so,
Shanna Skidmore:and that's really hard when you see opportunity, or, you see, and you're trying to grow your business, and it's like, I'll be asked to do certain things or speak at certain events. And it's like, you know what that it I go, I say that to myself a lot, if, especially right now, if it is not a hard Yes, it is a no.
Shanna Massey:And there's so many opportunities that involve weekends, you know, to do stuff and and. That was the reason I left my first job is to be home on the weekends when my kids are home and so, you know, that's like, oh, man, that's a good opportunity. But yeah, I say no. I mean, you know,
Shanna Skidmore:yeah, and you'll still get there, yep. Okay. Last quick fire question, then we'll send it off. What are you working on now? Or one resource that you would like to share what I'm
Shanna Massey:working on now is really, like I said, getting designers in and having them purchase my, my made to order or or my in stock rugs that are not vintage. I'm just really pushing the line that I have designed, and I'm actually considering if I'm gonna phase out the vintage altogether. Stay tuned. Okay, TBD, TBD,
Shanna Skidmore:you will have to send us a link for your own line, because I need to go shopping. Yeah, come
Shanna Massey:shopping. Okay,
Shanna Skidmore:I love it. All right. Shanna, this has been fun, yeah, and I'm glad that we've gotten to hang out. Let's send it off. Looking back to selling rugs from underneath your bed. What would you tell yourself? Look now, looking back, you know, yeah, to those early days, wow,
Shanna Massey:you know, I always thought was just gonna be some side money to my my goal is just like, get, like I said, get the girls to Disney World. And so my husband's like, we're building a house. We cannot go to Disney World. We've got to put all in. I'm like, I can figure out a way we can do it. But, yeah, I mean, I don't even know what I tell myself, like, this is gonna be real. Like you're actually gonna, you're gonna do it, yeah? You know. And it can be a real job. Yeah,
Shanna Skidmore:yeah, I love it. Shanna, I think a lot of us need to hear that, you know, yeah, yeah. Because
Shanna Massey:I think just the business in general, you know, I still have the mindset like, this isn't a real job. Yeah, they are doing it, yeah, yeah. You know, it's my career as a physical therapist. I have this identity crisis, yeah, you know, so
Shanna Skidmore:it's so good. I think so many people I talk to are naturally big thinkers, and I've always considered myself like a big thinker, a big dreamer. I see that on you as well. I'm a I'm a worker, I'm hustler. Love a good challenge. But I do also see my own limiting beliefs in that. You know, when I started my business, I was like, I just want enough to pay our bills while Kyle's in school, right? You know he's gonna take care of me. And it grew really fast. And what a blessing. But I still find those limiting beliefs. I have to unpack them. So this is good. Shannon, thank you for your time. Thanks for sharing your story, and I can't wait to go shopping for some beautiful rugs. Yes, yes, absolutely.
Lauren / Team Skidmore:Hey, Wildflower, you just finished another episode of consider the wildflowers the podcast. Head over to consider the wildflowers podcast.com. For show notes, resource links and to learn how you can connect with Shanna Massey, one final thought for today, from Winston Churchill, we make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give as always, thank you guys for listening, and we'll see you next time.
