Private Spacers in the Top 100 and in the Top 10 of the “Most Innovative” Category
Congratulations to Private Spacers, located in Memphis, Tennessee, for being named in the Top 100 for 2014 Home-Based 100 Business Winners and in the Top 10 of the Most Innovative Category. We caught up with business owner and entrepreneur Peggy Bentley and asked her to answer some questions and share some words of advice and inspiration with our StartupNation audience.
Tell Us About Your Journey
StartupNation: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Peggy: Making the “above the top” customer service decisions! Getting the product to the customer on tiime – even if I have to pay the extra cost!
StartupNation: To what do you attribute your success as an entrepreneur and business owner?
Peggy: My commitment to Customer Service – I Do What I say I will Do – When I say I will Do it!
StartupNation: What ignited the spark in you to start/select your particular business as an entrepreneur?
Peggy: It was simply creating something for my “Diva” daughter to have a little privacy in her dorm room.
StartupNation: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Peggy:
- Great Communication Skills!
- Being Creative!
- Knowing that even though you are the boss, your customers are “the boss of you!”
Words of Wisdom – Inspiration for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
StartupNation: If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
Peggy: You will not have to work 9 to 5 any longer. . . you will work basically 24/7 – because your business is always on your mind – even in your sleep.!
Inspiration
StartupNation: Where do you find your greatest inspiration?
Peggy: My young adult children and grand kids – they are so proud of me!
StartupNation: What is your favorite motivational/business quote as an entrepreneur?
Peggy: Just Do It!
StartupNation: A motto you live by?
Peggy: Respond to every negative situation with a “Smile in your voice!”
Tell Us About Your Business, Experiences, & Funding Your Startup
StartupNation: How did you get funding for your startup?
Peggy: I used my own money and my suppliers helped by allowing me to make payments on the product.
StartupNation: Recommendations for others starting out?
Peggy: Form a tight bond with manufacturers or suppliers. Tell them you are “Flying Solo” and ask for their tips.
Marketing and Building Their Customer Base
StartupNation: How do you market and build your customer base?
Peggy: Web site (repeat orders), Ebay, Etsy,
StartupNation: Recommendations for others starting out?
Peggy: Just make the website simple, simple. You don’t need a 10 page website. My website consists of one long page – everything is on that 1st page – and people like not having to navigate from page to page. And my phone number is there – and they can call me. I answer on the FIRST RING!
Changes in the Business Market
StartupNation: What changes have you seen in your business market since starting?
Peggy: I have a niche product – Cardboard Privacy Screens. People are now into “green” products. How much greener can you get than “cardboard”???
StartupNation: What do you see coming that will impact your business?
Peggy: If this survey is interesting enough, maybe you guys will write a nice little story and distribute it all over the place.
StartupNation: Have a funny story about a client or business transaction that you want to share along with a key lesson learned?
Peggy: Private Spacers is a portable cardboard privacy screen. One of my buyers was a lady in California who owned a construction company. Every so often she conducted “on site” drug screens. She would go out to the job site, and the employees would go into a shed and, um, produce samples. She started suspecting that something was not on the up and up because guys that she could SEE were suffering from last night’s “fun” tested OK. . . So, she ordered the screens so that all she had to do was walk up to the guy, set the screen up and say “OK, go behind here and pee in the cup.”
Learn more about Peggy’s business and view other businesses that entered and placed in the competition by clicking here for the top ten and a full list 2014 Home-Based 100 Business Winners and entrants.
Do you have a startup? Are you a passionate entrepreneur with an idea that has taken off and want to share your success with others? Would you like your business to receive priceless exposure in the media and be positioned to take your business to the next level? Then join us this fall for the 8th Annual StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition which ranks outstanding home-based businesses and the amazing people behind them! Watch for your change to enter! In the meantime, be sure to visit us daily for new content to support and grow your business!
