Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brandi Silver, Owner and Creator of Pin & Proper, located in Greensboro, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Pin & Proper specializes in lapel pins, greeting cards, and other small gifts geared towards pop culture. Our customer has a deep love for Hip Hop & R&B music and is pop culture obsessed. They are often deemed fashionable. They wear classics like a jean jacket. These jackets are adorned with pins as a form of self-expression, whether it's their favorite artist, lending a voice to something they believe in, their sorority or fraternity, or their alma mater.
Our customer hasn't fully succumbed to the digital world. Temporary Instagram story shout-outs are great for birthdays. However, our customer still loves giving and receiving physical greeting cards. At least the pop culture, pun intended ones that Pin & Proper creates.
Tell us about yourself
Pin & Proper was never actually supposed to be a business. I was knee-deep in grieving the unexpected death of my father. As an escape to keep busy, I began collecting enamel pins. I scoured the internet looking for a Tupac Shakur enamel pin that referenced his hit song "Keep Ya Head Up." After all, Tupac was one of my favorite artists, and that song literally came on the radio as I rode to my father's funeral service. After not finding one, I decided to do some research and create my own. I took my Illustrator skills from my Fashion Design career and took the leap. This business simply started because I had ordered a minimum of 100 pins, but I only wanted 1. I decided to put the additional pins on Etsy, and the rest is history.
My business took off in the early part of the pandemic when all of the odds were stacked against me. My small business sustained me during 19 months of unemployment from my full-time career. There are several days when I want to quit. Then I remember how this business kept me going when I was broken with grief and when I had nothing else but Pin & Proper. If that doesn't motivate you to keep going, I don't know what will.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To date, my biggest accomplishments have been the features in Pop Sugar, Buzz Feed, Made in Greensboro, Yes! Weekly and being part of Target's Lab X Black History Month Showcase. Target is probably my proudest because it's my favorite store. When someone from Target reached out in 2021 asking to showcase my business, I thought it was a prank. When I started this business, I never imagined a company as big as Target or anyone for that matter would notice my small business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me is finding balance. There are a lot of long hours at times. I get off from my full-time job only to go home and start processing orders from my business or answering customer inquiries. Finding balance is tough when you're trying to grow a business and working full time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find Balance:
I work full-time while running a small business which means there are a lot of long nights and short weekends. As a solopreneur, you must find work/life balance to prevent burnout. You can't pour from an empty cup. - Create a Memorable Experience:
Customers often become repeat customers when you've created a memorable experience. Since 90% of my sales are online sales, I handwrite personalized notes to include in my packages. I know no one writes notes anymore, but that's what makes it special. Anyone can throw a product in a box and slap a shipping label on it. Taking the extra time to write a little note to say thank you for spending your hard-earned money w/ my business goes a long way! Also, make sure to acknowledge repeat customers. They keep your business going, and they spread the word about your business to others. - Get Comfortable w/ Saying No:
This one was tough for me in the beginning, but I'm getting better with it. I get several requests weekly to customize products, speak in classrooms, or vend at various events. Being a one-woman show, I simply can't do it all. Get comfortable with saying no, and don't feel bad about it. I know when starting a business, we're all hungry for exposure. But remember that empty cup. If you're all over the place, you can't show up as your best self. Only giving 30% of yourself at ten different events because you're exhausted or overwhelmed may not serve you or your business. Focus on quality over quantity.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PAPERbyBrandi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pin_and_proper/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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