Talking shop Sharon Ebersohl, owner of Kid Biz in Town Plaza

After being downsized from her job as a department store manager, Sharon Ebersohl decided to take her retail experience and open her own children's resale store, Kid Biz in Town Plaza. Not only did she create a job for herself, she now employs four others as her business continues to grow.

Q: Describe your retail background.

A: I was with Famous Barr for 15 years before Macy's had bought them out. I stayed for the first two years of the changeover. After that, they had offered buyouts originally, and I said I wanted to stay. I kind of saw which direction they were headed and which direction I was used to being with all my years in retail. They just kept sweetening the offer because they wanted to bring their own people in, so I accepted the buyout in September 2008. The crash of the market happened about nine days later. I had no idea at that point what I was going to do.

Q: How did you prepare before opening Kid Biz?

A: I took a class through the University of Missouri extension office in Jackson and I worked with Richard Proffer and he hooked me up with the Operation Jump Start class at the SEMO Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, so I went through their class. I couldn't have done it without it. They were so much help getting my feasibility study and my business plan together. Even though I'd run businesses for years, they helped me to actually put it on paper and forecasting it for two to three years. I actually figured out how much you can spend for marketing, rent, electric, buying and eventually when you get employees. Having them just be supportive along the way also when I turned those corners helped. My business plan was one of the ones that won, and I got a grant when I opened the business. The biggest part of it went for the outdoor sign, the computer and the printer in the store, and I bought fixturing for the store to make it look professional. It definitely provided for startup expenses I needed.

Q: How did you know you wanted to own your own business?

A: I've always liked children. I went to college at SIU originally to be a schoolteacher, then switched to business. I got into business and I majored in business management and minored in finance and entrepreneurship and did real well in those classes. As I went on, I started thinking, maybe I do want to open my own business. I have the management background, maybe that's something I can try. I talked to friends and family members, and I did some research on the area. I had a small child at that time, and we were involved in the local day cares and children's community. We went through all the stages and some of the stuff I got from friends. We would pass things back and forth and then when you're done with it, what to do with it? I had a friend who had taken some stuff to a store in St. Louis; one time I went with her and I saw what they did. I thought there was a need. I had shopped the local stores and there was nothing wrong with them, but there always seemed to be lots and lots of stuff.

Q: What were some of your biggest challenges?

A: Building a clientele is the biggest thing, and getting the word out. Getting a good base clientele of not only customers but vendors. Everything comes from other folks in the area. Someone has to bring it in order for somebody to buy it. I do have clothing, but I focus a lot of the store on the toys and the bigger ticket items. It's always a challenge getting good quality in. The money investment is also always a concern. An incredible number of small businesses fail. That was always in the back of my mind.

Q: How has your business grown over the years?

A: I started with myself and I had somebody who came in and worked 10 or 12 hours in the evenings and on Saturdays. As we've gone along you need more help when you change the seasons and as we bought more. Now I have four who work for me on a consistent basis right now. I have a couple that also fill in when I need someone. I feel good about that, starting with just myself.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own business?

A: I would definitely do it again. It's been a great time. I've had a ball doing it. You need a good accountant to help you keep all the paperwork straight. Try to be prepared for the unexpected. There's always something unexpected.