Alumni-owned business spotlight: Christine Haines Greenberg (B.A.’09)
Learn some business tips from Christine Haines Greenberg, co-owner of Urban Set Bride, founder and creative director of the Hive Wedding Collective, owner of CHG Consulting and ordained wedding officiant.
What tools helped you the most when you started out?
The best tools I found when preparing to leave my corporate job and get started as a full-time entrepreneur were social media and my network of friends and acquaintances. Never underestimate the power of self-promotion when you are stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new industry. I always encourage people who are hoping to become entrepreneurs to be annoying about it. What I mean by that is that there is no room to be subtle or low-key about starting your own business.
I talked about my plans, in person and on social media, constantly. We all have short attention spans, so I wanted to make sure I used my network (virtually and in person) to get recommendations on leasing a space, find vendors in my field to partner with, create a small group of other small business owners in creative fields, persistently remind people that I’m here and rely on word of mouth recommendations to keep afloat.
What was the biggest challenge to maintaining your business?
I wish I had a less obvious answer, but it’s money. Despite selling an expensive product, the profit margin for wedding gown shops is slim, and we are required to buy a certain number of wedding gown samples twice a year to maintain an active status with the designer. Ensuring we can pay our stylists a living wage, being able to offer discounts to teachers, health care workers, military members and first responders, and navigating which trends to invest in versus the ones that will be a flash in the pan are all things that run through our brains constantly. I’m always on the hunt for small business grants, investors, low-interest loans (paired with the occasional lottery ticket) to ensure this business can serve as the legacy to my kids.
But with all the worry and pressure of small business ownership, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I cannot fathom having a boss, having to clock in and out and being beholden to a large company again.
If you are considering opening your own business, chat with a small business consultant (like me) to bounce your ideas off of someone who has been there. They can offer a one-time chat or a long-term partnership to hold you accountable and guide you on your journey to your goals. A consultant can tell you if your idea is viable, how much money you should budget for certain things, what your time frame for opening should be, etc.
What advice do you have for people considering starting a business?
It will be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. But you can do this if you refuse to remain subtle and are ready to work hard and let your dream consume you. You’ll figure out how to create personal boundaries and work/life balance later, but while you’re getting started, make it your world. It’s going to be great!