I met Serena Thompson of The Farm Chicks last year at the Where Women Cook launch in NYC. Let me tell you, she is as sweet as can be, a lovely person. Serena is a successful entrepreneur who has inspired so many of us. (Do I need to say how much I would love to go to The Farm Chicks show? And how jealous I am of all those vintage lovers who live in her neck of the woods?) On Monday, Serena is launching her new venture called My Favorite Find. I had a chance to interview Serena about My Favorite Find, The Farm Chicks and starting a business.
Hi Serena, I met you last year at The Where Women Cook launch in NYC.
Serena: That was great fun!
Congratulations on your new venture!
Serena: Thank you so much!
What is My Favorite Find?
Serena: My Favorite Find is a virtual show-and-tell. You can search for great shoppes and events like yard sales, antique shows, craft retreats and more, anywhere in the world, then show-and-tell your finds.
How did the idea for this new venture come about?
Serena: I was getting a lot of mail from readers all over the world, wanting to know how they could find great shoppes and events in their area and from others wanting to know how how they could promote their shoppes and events. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a place for these two worlds to connect, so I decided to create it myself.
You are an entrepreneur. When you started The Farm Chicks, did you already have a Big Plan in mind? Or did it grow in a way you never could imagine?
Serena: I dreamed of a big show, but I had no idea that it could grow into so much more. The evolution has been amazing and I feel very fortunate to get to do what I do.
What are your dreams for My Favorite Find?
Serena: My goal is to connect everyone together in one place where you can find what you love and celebrate it together.
So many women admire you. You’ve managed to grow a successful business. I know that you are incredibly supportive of other women in business. Do you have any tips for starting and growing a business that you might share with us?
Serena:Here are a few thoughts:
Come up with a good solid plan of what it is you want to do. It’s important to not be too all over the place with what you’re doing. If your business is hard for others to understand, it probably won’t be too successful.
Be inspired by others, but don’t duplicate their work. If your business is similar to others, it won’t get noticed.
Surround yourself with good, like-minded people and who build each other up. If you don’t feel good about someone, trust your intuition.
And finally, do you have your very own Favorite Find?
Serena: My greatest score of all time was a shirt I bought at a yard sale for 10 cents and sold for $860!
Thank you, Serena, for this opportunity.
Serena: Thank you!
I’ve had the chance to explore My Favorite Find and I know you are going to love it. Be sure to stop by on Monday. Here’s the link again: My Favorite Find.