Two Oregon Women Launch a Friendship, a Business and a Dream
Forget Me Not Dreams Finds Online and Offline Success
A business that began between two friends is finding that friendship can be a powerful marketing tool, as well.
Forget Me Not Dreams, a web-based business owned by Eileen Daniels and Karen Grothe, who live in close-by Oregon towns, started their business in January 2007 after meeting through the craft and antique show that Eileen owned.
Karen participated in the show, and as time went by, they became fast friends, realizing they had similar values, goals and dreams. They both had worked in, owned and managed shows for 20 years.
“We discovered that we worked very well together, enjoyed being together immensely, and shared the love of finding vintage treasures and creating new projects together,” Daniels say. Shortly thereafter the business was born, and they joined Make Mine Pink, an online women’s business consortium that provides networking and support to new and growing businesses.
“We love the challenge of running a small business, and we love to use our creative talents to make new additions to our business lines,” Grothe says.
From their feminine Web site, www.forgetmenotdreams.com and their accompanying blog, the women sell vintage items, glassware, china, linens and decorative additions for the home. They also find and “repurpose” vintage pieces that have defects such as stains or tears by treating the workable areas to create new items.
One such example is an old charm bracelet with missing charms to which they have added interesting vintage metal buttons and beads from an estate sale necklace to make a one-of-a-kind piece.
Another item incorporating a vintage touch is an extended line of dainty “hankie totes” made from straw bags and vintage handkerchiefs. A photo of one of the popular totes was recently selected for publishing in Cottage Style Magazine.
“We are doing especially well with our totes, and we’re working on developing a wholesale line to debut in the January 2010 markets,” Daniels says.
While maintaining their offices and work studios in their homes, Daniels and Grothe also manage a craft and antique show and participate in additional booth shows.
“We enjoy all facets of our business, including meeting our customers face-to-face at the booth shows we do,” says Grothe. “We love the personal connections we make with our customers. Our goals are to increase this circle of connections, keeping the focus personal and real and building our business through this means.”
Daniels adds that their ambition – besides providing the “extras” in life and the financial wherewithal to travel with their husbands – is to build their wholesale line. “We believe that offering our customers an enjoyable and meaningful shopping experience will lead to committed and loyal customers who will help us build and grow our business.”
Both women have grown children who have helped them through the years to carry items, set up displays and price items. “Now our grown sons advise us financially and offer tech support, and our daughters design graphics and help with Eileen’s wedding business.”
Among their pursuits, the women are launching a separate site at www.belladayproductions.com to promote Eileen’s services as a wedding and floral designer.
They have had other milestones and recognitions, as well. They were selected as a vendor for “The Farm Chicks,” one of the top shows in the nation held in June, and they participate as a vendor in numerous antique and holiday shows including America’s largest antique show expo in Portland, OR. They also own and produce their own antique and holiday craft show called “Moonlight Sparkle” at Blackbird Farms in Beaverton, OR.
Last fall they participated in the “Make Mine Pink Business Recognition Award” display contest, resulting in their winning the top prize package including various advertising opportunities such as a full-page ad in Romantic Homes. And Karen was recently the featured photographic artist at Elysium Artists of Portland, OR.
They credit Make Mine Pink with much of what they have learned since they started their business and value the relationships and support they have gained through the service. “We feel that MMP is constantly working too market our products and better itself to enrich our selling environment,” Daniels says.
Both women say they believe that what makes their business stand out is the top notch customer service. “We want a visit to our site to be an experience that our customers won’t forget,” Grothe says.
Living the principles of a “cottage and spiritual lifestyle” and striving to better their connections with family, friends and customers are the centerpiece of their business, say Daniels and Grothe.
“Our overall desire is to be able to enjoy friendship and time together and to still be married when all is said and done,” Daniels says.
Forget Me Not Dreams -- the business that was born in friendship -- has found its success there, as well.