Stacy Kupfer – SCV Kids Consignment

What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?

• When I started my first business 24 years ago (I was first a Pampered Chef consultant, and still am technically) I was looking for a tax write off and wanted to learn to cook. It started as a “side-hustle.” When my second child came along, I decided to take the leap and leave my full-time job and build my business. I wanted to be home with my kids and have a successful business.

What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

• I love that I have the opportunity to positively impact other people’s lives. Working on my own schedule is pretty great too!

What are three of your company’s goals?

• Help make raising kids more affordable
• Become a recognized resource for parents in our community and reach every local family
• Help reduce waste, keep plastics out of our landfills and reduce our collective carbon footprint by buying used instead of new.

What challenges have you encountered?

• Being in charge of your own schedule can be difficult at times. You have to be disciplined enough to show up for work, but learn not to always work. Set some boundaries. When you work from home, it can be challenging to shut off sometimes, like during dinnertime and helping with homework, for example. And know there is a difference between thinking about work and actually working.

What thoughts would you give to others who have similar aspirations?

• To really be successful, I think you need to have a strong why that is bigger than yourself. When things get difficult, and they will, it is that why that will push you through your challenges. We now have over 500 families that participate in our consignment events. For me, letting those people down is unfathomable. A footnote to that: you’re why can and will change with time. Mine certainly has and that’s okay!

What are your responsibilities as the business owner?

• Oh goodness. Every aspect of the business is my responsibility. A business owner learns to wear MANY hats. The greatest lesson is to do everything you are capable of and to hire great people to help in areas that are not your strengths. Just because it is all my responsibility, doesn’t mean I have to do it alone!

Why will customers stay or do repeat business with you?

• People do business with people they know, like, and trust. I try to be the type of person I would like to do business with. And always be honest, even when you mess up.

How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?

• Our marketing has changed over the years. We used to do more print, magazines, etc. Now social media is our main platform. That’s where the parents are. However, our biggest and most important marketing is still word of mouth. Friends referring us to their friends has led to our biggest growth.

What is unique about your business?

• SCV Kids Consignment is about as grassroots as you can get. It really is a business of moms helping other moms, and we try to foster that community of helpfulness.

Who inspires you?

• My grandfather Al has been a big inspiration. From him, I learned what good customer service looks like. I have also gleaned a lot from Jon Gordon. He writes about positivity and doing business from a place of love.

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

• Don’t let other people’s doubts get in your way. Starting your own business (and sticking with it) takes a lot of courage and determination; not everyone has that. Align yourself with people that support your vision.

Interested in learning more about Stacy Kupfer and SCV Kids Consignment? Visit her website at SCV Kids Consignment or her Facebook page.