"I can't imagine a downtown, or any community without a brick and mortar retailer. I don't ever want to live in that world where it's just chains and big box stores.

I call my house "the house that 12 dollar earrings built”, because I built it with the money I earned from this business. Every time I walk in the house it reminds me of how hard I worked for it … and I love it.

I just know this is what I'm good at. I love to be surrounded by beauty, both here and at home. My heart is in every square inch of this building. 

My dog Zelda died right before I started the store, and I always say she's the spirit welcoming people into the store.

And you never know who's gonna walk through that door. I have lifelong friends from around the world who I met for the first time in this store. Everybody has a story to tell and I'm fascinated by it.

I've had more hugs and more wonderful times in this store than I could hope for in my entire life."