1. Give me a little background information on Underwoods.
We have been in business for eighteen years and we have loved every minute of it! My husband and I run the business together. We manufacture and sell memorial flowers.
2. Is Underwood’s the only business you have ever owned?
No. We have owned several different businesses and had a couple of add on businesses. We have owned a car lot, I sold Beauti-Control makeup, and I have sold Beanie Babies.
3. How do you build a successful customer base?
If you don’t have customers, you don’t have a business! You must build a customer base. Part of what has made us so successful is our customer service. One of the things we do for our customers is, after someone passes away, their family is given the first set of memorial flowers for free. Second, we publish our home phone and cell phone on our business card so our customers can reach us at all times. Third, we will meet our customers anytime 24 hours per day. We pride ourselves on the fact that when our customers need us, we are available. Third, regardless of how small, we carry our customers’ purchases to their car. We sell customer service just as much as we sell our memorial flowers. We are hoping to provide memorial flowers online starting in January.
3. What is the best way to achieve long term success?
By putting your customers first
4. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
The people. I love every person who walks through the door. I care about the people.
5. What is your least favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
I don’t have a least favorite. I can’t think of a thing I don’t like about my job.
6. How many hours do you work in an average week?
At minimum 60 hours and this is just an average. During the month of December, we work twelve hours a day, seven days a week.
9. What would you say are the top three skills an entrepreneur must possess?
First, a good entrepreneur must have good people skills. Whether your business is online, service oriented or other, you have to have good people skills. Second, you must be able to manage your money. A lot of entrepreneurs think hey, the money is rolling in. I can spend, spend, spend. The problem with this is that your business may be seasonal and you don’t even realize it yet. If you spend, spend, spend now, you may not have any money for down times. Also, you want to grow your business. It will be difficult to grow your business if you have no money. Third, you must love what you do. Nobody starts a business and says, I think this is something I could do for a year or two. Owning your own business is typically a long term commitment. If you don’t love what you do, then you won’t be able to follow through and see your business through fruition.
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