Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Veletean.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born and raised in Plymouth, (divided between Richland and Huron counties), I have always loved this little Village, and have watched my parents and grandparents work hard in their many volunteer efforts in the community over the years. My Father was an entrepreneur, and taught me many things about owning and running a business. He explained the importance of networking in business and discussed with me the ebbs and flows a business feels, and most importantly, made sure I understood the impact small business has on small towns. I knew growing up I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but as I grew older, I wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like.
My work journey has been full of variety. I’ve done everything from working in a factory to having a law office job in college. I worked as a waitress for a major restaurant chain and then took a sales job with a corporate soft-drink entity. I directed youth activities at a YMCA; I managed a restaurant; spent a number of years at a winery as a server, a bartender, and an assistant manager, but all the time I dreamt of owning my own business and envisioned the day I could work for myself. In my first attempt at entrepreneurship, I signed on with a dear friend as a down-line representative for a direct sales jewelry company. I learned a great deal but it just wasn’t the right fit. My next venture was in the nutritional supplement business which ultimately led me to become a certified CrossFit trainer. From there, I convinced my husband that we should open our own gym – a business we operated successfully for three years. Then life threw us a curve when my husband was transferred to a new location for his full-time job, so we had to move. We were also expecting a baby, so we made the tough decision to close our gym. After our son was born, my desire to be my own boss grew even stronger. Recognizing the need for businesses to have a social media presence, I took the plunge and launched my own social media marketing and consulting business, and that is where I met some of the amazing entrepreneurs who are now among the vendors my shop supports. As you can see, it’s been a long and winding road, but I don’t regret any of the experiences I’ve had along the way because each “business experiment” I engaged in was part of the journey that helped me refine my ideas and find my real passion.
Another experience that has fueled my passion has been my involvement with the Plymouth Improvement Committee over the last 5 years. We are a non-profit 501(c )(3) organization dedicated to projects that improve the quality of life for residents of our community. Our biggest event is called “Christmas in the Village” -an outdoor Christmas street market and festival that has grown from a one-day craft show to a full blown three-day celebration that brings between 8000-10,000 people to our community each year. As the vendor and entertainment coordinator for the last four years, I’ve had the opportunity to network with many creative and talented entrepreneurs and that is primarily what led me to the concept for “Village Roots” marketplace.
Being a business owner and being involved in a community organization has driven a deeper focus in me to help bring life back to what was once a dying downtown. I knew I wanted to occupy one of the historic buildings on our unique village square and we had an opportunity to lease one that is centrally located and brimming with history. We renovated the interior to reflect its original beauty, and brought in some heavy pieces from the village’s oldest manufacturing Industry – of which my great-grandfather was a founder- to create an industrial/vintage vibe that commemorates the historic past of our community.
The idea of a Marketplace came from a vision I had of supporting many Ohio Small Businesses in one place. I wanted to create a destination where our guests could enjoy an “event-style” shopping experience filled with carefully curated handmade products in a space with displays and vignettes featuring Ohio Small Businesses. It’s been a hard and rewarding journey, but we have achieved our vision! Village Roots is a Monthly Marketplace filled with products from over 75 Ohio Businesses, including home and seasonal decor, gifts, furniture, accessories, specialty foods, clothing and all kinds of other surprises! Handmade – Homemade – Ohio Made – that’s our motto and our mission.
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?
For the most part, this journey over the last 18 months has been an incredibly wonderful ride! We have had some hiccups along the way, as do all small businesses, and we’ve experienced some changes within the business, but that is how you grow and learn. While I work with all our vendors, handle inventory, and design the staging for each month’s market, my husband does all the construction and heavy lifting. My family and my close friends volunteer their time to help me stock the shop, work the floor and even travel to some of the outdoor markets we go to during the summer. Even our 3 ½ year old son is learning how to “stage” displays and greet our guests. Together, these are the rocks who keep me grounded. The support they give to me literally helps to keep this ship afloat! And I would be remiss if I didn’t say that we have THE most wonderful customers- our guests- for whom I am most truly grateful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I graduated from Ashland University with a degree in Business and Marketing. I have a background in Sales and Marketing, and have proudly worked in the Food Service/Hospitality Industry for over 15 years as a Server/Bartender and Restaurant Manager. I love serving customers and meeting new people. I’m also an alumna of Project Leadership of Huron County – an adult leadership program facilitated by the county that provides intensive leadership training and development. But, my favorite (and the hardest) job I have ever held is being a mother. My husband and I are proud parents to our almost 4 year old son, Nash, and I am lucky enough to have him with me while I work. As the business grows, it proves harder and harder to be a good mom and run a business, but I would not trade it for anything! I feel very grateful to be able to share many lessons and my work ethic with him!
How do you define success?
Respect. Hard work. Impacting others in a positive way.
Obviously, in owning any business, the goal is to make money and grow the business successfully. But, there is more to it than that for me. I want to support other businesses through my own, and at Village Roots, we are able to do that! 75 other Ohio Small Business families are being impacted through our storefront every month.
In addition to our vendors, the customers we serve are a focus for me too. I want to personally greet everyone who walks through our door, and make sure that they know how important they are to the success of Village Roots. We want to make them feel at home, and offer them quality, unique products that are held to a high standard.
Ultimately success comes from the way we treat others and that’s a huge part of the Village Roots business model. I want every person who walks through our door – customers and vendors alike- to feel valued and appreciated. And I hope I can inspire others like me to chase their dreams. If they decide to do that in Plymouth, Ohio- that’s even better!
Contact Info:
- Email: villagerootsmarket@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/villagerootsmarket
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/villagerootsmarket
Image Credits
Katie Veletean
