Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Brittan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In my early 20’s I started a hiring firm. It was a great learning experience for me and I learned a tremendous amount about business and what it takes to run a business. I grew the business over several years and when I started having kids, I sold it. I am a proud mother of four kids.
Three of my four children ride and show horses all over the United States. I ran our farm and took care of all of the operational aspects associated with that. My youngest son does not ride horses. However, he is business minded like me and as a way to keep an eye on him at horse shows, we started a candy business called Hey Sugar. I bought an airstream off Craigslist and we hauled it to all of the horse shows his siblings were competing in. He started selling candy out of it and it was very successful. I knew we had something going and I opened up my first Hey Sugar! Candy Store in downtown Roanoke, Texas.
The city of Roanoke was growing at a rapid rate and I could see the potential this charming downtown had to offer. Having already established a business in Roanoke for several years allowed me to recognize the one component that was missing…Retail. Roanoke was full of restaurants but not many places to shop. I had my eye on a building down the street from my candy store that had been vacant for a while. I purchased the building and got to work right away on what is now Roanoke Trading Company or as some refer to it, RTC. With every business I own, I want to create an experience for my customers. I want them to walk in and crave to come back because of how it made them feel.
Since opening Roanoke Trading Company in 2015, I have opened four more candy stores and another retail store. In May of 2018, I opened Denton Trading Company on the square in Denton, Texas. I am so proud of my businesses but I can’t take all of the credit. I have an exceptional group of people who contribute to the success of my stores. When I think about where I am today, I think back to the horse show days and my 10-year-old business-minded son selling candy out of an airstream, I know for certain the way would not have been paved for me to be where I am today without each of those moments in my life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When starting anything you face a mountain of obstacles. There are so many things to consider and it can seem like an uphill battle. You want to make sure you hire the right people. Buy the right stuff and have all of the kinks worked out before you open the store. There are obstacles and challenges everyday when you own a business. Laura Lake, the manager, and co-buyer for Roanoke Trading Company and Denton Trading Company, is the one who I count onto deal with the employees and the day to day operations of the stores. Within the day to day, there are always challenges. Laura and I work incredibly well together. We communicate daily and she fills me in if there is a challenge or obstacle I need to step in and handle. I have entrusted her with the responsibility to run Roanoke Trading Company and Denton Trading Company. She has an ownership mentality and treats both stores as if she did own them. I am grateful for that because I know I do not have to worry. I trust that we are like-minded in how we need to handle certain situations. I believe I have avoided a majority of obstacles and challenges many people face in business because I hire “like-minded” people to work with me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Roanoke Trading Company and Denton Trading Company are two retails stores with a similar feel but each have their own unique flair. Both stores carry home interiors, gifts, candles, baby items, antiques, clothing, jewelry, men’s grooming products and more. We carry some of the same items in both stores but we really want to give each store its own identity. We identify Roanoke as a little more traditional, country French feel with a touch of glam. We identify Denton as a little more edgy, modern, with hints of traditional elements mixed in. We want to offer something for everyone ranging from all different price points and styles. We opened RTC in January of 2015 and Laura began working there in June 2015. I would pop in the store to check on things and I would notice she would move stuff around and I thought it looked amazing. Items we had been sitting on started to sell because they were displayed in a new way and our customers began to notice. Laura has been able to transform the way our customers shop by constantly changing things up around the store and displaying our items in a unique and creative way.
We believe what sets us apart is the experience and atmosphere we create in each store. We strive to provide excellent customer service and build authentic relationships with our customers. We pay attention to the details. From how we tag our merchandise to how we wrap each purchase in a bag with tissue as if it were a gift. Both stores have staples our customers remember us by. In our Roanoke store, we have a full-sized penny covered horse. Penny was a labor of love and I hot glued every penny on her. It’s a miracle; the feeling in my fingertips came back. In our Denton store, we have a 9ft penny covered guitar to highlight the music scene Denton has. Now, that one I had some help with from a friend. Roanoke has a full sized 1972 teal blue Volkswagen Van with my dads surfboard on top. Denton has the back half of a VW van coming out the wall with a mural of the iconic Old Alton Bridge above it so it looks like the van is driving through the bridge. We have found that having unique staples in the store spark dialog between us and our customers. They love to come in and take photos and bring their friends and family in to see it!
I am most proud of how these stores come to life from start to finish. I love finding buildings with character and restoring them. Peeling back floors, breaking down walls, exposing original features that have been covered up over the years allows the integrity of the building to be revealed. I enjoy the construction phase and taking something that would appear to be a “lost cause” and thinking outside the box to make it something special. It is a humbling moment to hear customers speak highly of something you have poured your heart and soul into.
What were you like growing up?
I was very adventurous and a happy go lucky kid. I talked too much in class and was actively involved in student council. I enjoyed the outdoors and physical activity. I was always coming up with ways to make money. My dad was in the candy business and I would sell candy at school that I would get from his candy warehouse. I have always been very entrepreneurial. I had aspirations to be an international attorney since I was obsessed with travel and other cultures and graduated from college with a degree in political science. However, I choose the path of entrepreneurship and I’ve never looked back! I love what I do and I wake up everyday excited to run and grow my businesses!
Contact Info:
- Address: Roanoke Trading Company:
115 N Oak Street
Roanoke, TX 76262
Denton Trading Company
112 W Oak Street
Denton, TX 76201 - Phone: Roanoke Trading Company: 682-237-7896 —-Denton Trading Company: 940-320-2882
- Email: roanoketradingco@gmail.com — dentontradingco@gmail.com
- Instagram: @roanoketradingco —– @dentontradingco
- Facebook: facebook.com/roanoketradingcompany —- facebook.com/dentontradingcompany
- Other: Instagram: @roanoketradingco @dentontradingco
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