Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in home care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sheri Howard, Founder of Quiet Quarters, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Quiet Quarters is a luxury home decor brand based out of Philadelphia, PA, specializing in natural soy candles and home goods. Our target audience consists of young black professionals who are ambitious, work hard, and want their homes to be a reflection of their efforts. They enjoy the luxuries of life and believe that includes the style of their home. The QQ brand combines clean lines and an urban attitude by creating a brand where style & black culture is expressed through the eloquent lens of home decor.
Our customer loves candles, pillows, throw blankets- anything that is cozy and lush. They enjoy subtle statement pieces, and they are willing to pay a higher price point for an elevated shopping experience. They care about their carbon footprint and make an effort to shop brands that use eco-friendly materials.
Tell us about yourself
I have always had a passion for home decor and creating beautiful spaces for myself and others. I have a background in real- estate and have always wanted to not only sell a property but stage homes as well. As my career went on, I realized that the decor aspect was something I leaned into more, so I began to decorate any house I could get my hands on. All of my friends would ask me to come over and help to organize and redecorate their homes, and I would gladly oblige.
As time passed, I decided that I wanted to be the person that created the beautiful pieces that make a house a home. I wanted to create vibes for women like myself and my girlfriends. Women who looked like me worked hard and wanted their homes to be a reflection of all of that hard work. Women of color who want and deserve luxury in their homes. From that point, my goal was to create a high-end home decor brand.
Quiet Quarters is a combination of my passion and my mission. To create beautiful homes and to create space for WOC to feel seen in the home goods industry. QQ is a place where I tell the stories of women that look like me and how we navigate through day to day, the music we listen to at home, how we cook in our kitchens, and the vibes we like to set- how we unwind.
The brand started with soy wax candles and has expanded to other home goods over the last year. It is my goal to grow my business into a full-scale home decor retail brand with brick-and-mortar stores. I want to create an in-person shopping experience that feels luxurious and welcoming to all people- but specifically, women who look like me and share similar life experiences.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Releasing our first issue of Quiet Quarters Magazine! It has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager to start my own publication, and I am extremely proud of how it turned out!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having the endurance to consistently pursue your dream even when things don’t look like they’re working in your favor. It’s a true faith walk.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Build up your spiritual foundation. You will need to talk to God often throughout your journey, and you need to get used to leaning on him.
- Don’t be afraid to outsource or ask for help. No man is an island, and you will need people to help you throughout your journey. Utilize the network you have around you.
- Give yourself grace. There are going to be ups and downs, but that’s okay. Always remember why you are pursuing this and give yourself grace along the way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.quietquarters.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietquarters/
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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