Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherrie Phillips.
Hi Sherrie, 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.
Over 30 years ago, I left my corporate job and started working with my parents who had a thriving furniture refinishing business and a business producing wooden mugs and gift items. The mugs, primarily sold at Renaissance faires and festivals throughout the country, provided me with the opportunity to travel and be part of a dynamic community of artisans. When I stopped traveling, I focused on honing my furniture and woodworking skills at the shop in Arlington, and eventually I bought my parents out. The mug business has been so successful that I downsized the refinishing business to furniture repair only and was able to branch out in new ways as well.
The physical location of the shop, the growth of downtown Arlington, and my experience running a business came together to fulfill a dream that I had since I was very young: owning a gift shop! In 2015, I opened Wondrous Works Gift Shop. It has been a natural progression that beautifully combines my corporate background, retail experience at faires and festivals, and my love of finding unique vintage items. Getting to have this dream become a reality in the same space where my parents began the business is a beautiful continuation of their legacy and the beginning of my own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
You would think that in this day and age being a woman business owner would be a non-issue, but I still get caught off guard when people are shocked to learn that I own and operate multiple businesses. We still have a long way to go!
The last several years have taught all of us about supply chain issues and how that can impact our daily lives. As a small business owner, I had to find alternatives to certain supplies and go without others when necessary. It helped me really learn the meaning of the word “essential.”
Every business needs to have an environment where employees can be successful while the owners are accomplishing their goals. Creating a culture that facilitates longevity among employees has been a learning experience for me. I am one of the luckiest women in the world because I have an incredible team that has stayed with me for many years.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wondrous Works Gift Shop?
At Wondrous Works Gift Shop, I curate a collection of vintage items, original art, jewelry, and of course, the wooden mugs that are made on-site are available as well. I love building relationships with our customers and offering them unique items that they just won’t find anywhere else. I am so proud to be a part of downtown Arlington. As an Arlington native, watching the downtown area grow and flourish is a true delight. The businesses in downtown really support each other and it is great to be a part of this community.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think it is absolutely necessary to be able to pivot on a dime as challenges come your way and be able to guide your workforce through those changes even when they are resistant. Teambuilding, being transparent and having open lines of communication help everyone navigate obstacles with a more positive attitude.
Finding balance between work and life is always a struggle, but I am continually working on this! As a small business owner, allowing myself to step away, even for a few hours, is essential for my own well-being. Additionally, having an exit strategy for later on down the line is something I always advise younger business owners to think about sooner rather than later.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wondrousworksgiftshop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wondrousworksgiftshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wondrousworksgiftshop
