Today we’d like to introduce you to Brit Prather.
Hi Brit, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
The conception of our business was based in retail design for local stores. Jason and I were commissioned for different design and build projects to display retail items for boutique-style retailers in Ohio. Meanwhile, I had set up an Etsy shop with different wooden home decor items I had made. The only solid part of our business plan was our ambition. We used money from our day jobs to invest in ourselves. During this time, a vintage shop needed a record bin. We designed what would become a “record rack,” and after some encouragement from a friend used my Etsy shop as a platform to sell these racks to others. It took a few years to completely shift to exclusively designing and making our record storage line, in which time we were able to test a lot of things strengthen our online selling platforms. Our ambition succeeded, and we were able to quit our day jobs and build our brand to what it is today, but even seven years later, we have found that our business plan must still include the same ambition we had when we first started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anytime we’ve needed to move onto the next step, doors have been opened quickly. But once we get inside the door, we never know what will happen. Living each day as business owners, responsible for keeping a business afloat, employing others to keep their lives going, and managing our own lives and financial needs is not an easy path. One of the biggest struggles we’ve found is finding and maintaining a good team. The second most notable struggle is developing personal boundaries. It’s easy to let our business run our life, and personal boundaries are important to keep us fresh and true to ourselves. In the end, it’s all hard, but all hard things are an investment in joy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Divider Records?
Our business sells furniture designed exclusively for vinyl records. Every product is made to order in our shop, starting with raw materials. Once the product is completed, it’s also shipped from our location. Jason is our only production lead and oversees every step along the way. All of our materials and supplies are sourced from independent retailers located within 30 miles of our shop. Every product offered in our signature record storage line is made from solid wood. We do not use any veneers, MDF, or plywood. Another awesome aspect of our products is that there is little to no assembly required. Beyond our furniture, we’re proud of being a small business. Our team usually consists of 2-3 people. When approaching customer service, we’re human to human instead of consumer to corporation.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A blanket response to this is: making things. From brewing kombucha to sewing my own clothes to completing an order in the shop, transforming one thing into another makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.divider-records.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divider_records
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dividerrecords
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dividerrecords4457
Image Credits
Agape Photography
