Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelley Cardoos.
Shelley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The love for creativity, collaboration, connection, and community have led my path to where I am today.
I spent years as a Creative Department Manager, artist, musician, event planner, and volunteer wondering where to take my career path. My skills and desires revolved around connecting people though creative human interaction, hosting community events, unabashedly asking for help, enthusiastically discovering strengths in people around me, an excitement for mid-sized cities, and an unexpected love for business. In 2015, I found Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll). With the mission to accelerate social and economic impact in mid-sized cities through inclusive entrepreneurship, I knew I found the right organization.
Simultaneously, after years of making and selling art and gift items followed by years of organizing craft fairs and holiday pop-up shops, I connected with an amazing woman Sarah and opened a gift shop called Hippo in November 2016. Located in the heart of historic downtown New Bedford, MA, Hippo is a gift store featuring a variety of unique handcrafted goods and independently designed products.
Has it been a smooth road?
I try my best to learn from struggles and move on.
Getting into management as a woman at a young age with an art degree didn’t get me a lot of respect. Learning to not take things personally and staying focused on what was best for the people working for me was a big help in getting me through that. I look back and I’m thankful for everything I learned about business, management, personalities, and resilience through that experience.
As far as my own business, I tried and failed many, many times to get a gift store (or candy store) off the ground. It’s never been a smooth road but it’s been worth it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with EforAll and Hippo – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I started at Entrepreneurship for All as the Executive Director of EforAll South Coast and I’m now the Director of Programs. We’re currently in Lowell, Lawrence, Lynn, New Bedford, and Fall River and working on expanding to other mid-sized cities across the nation. We offer programs and events that help entrepreneurs in the early stages of starting a business. A key difference between EforAll and other business accelerators is we are supporting businesses in all industries and all sizes. Our approach is grassroots and all about getting the community involved. We believe that entrepreneurship is not about zip code, education status, economic status, or race, but about determination. With the right tools, the people within your own neighborhood can solve the problems of the community and gain control over their own lives.
My gift shop, Hippo, represents over 100 artisans. We sell unique gifts that you had no idea you were even looking for and it’s important to us to have a range of prices. I’m proud to be able to offer a platform for local crafters to sell their products. And also to see people come in the shop, connect to products and smile.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity in the gateway cities surrounding Boston and have recently enjoyed exploring Lowell, Lawrence, and Lynn.
The South Coast is an interesting place with both New Bedford and Fall River that are filled with history, culture, and cuisine but surrounded by beautiful farms and the ocean. New Bedford, where I call home, is filled with so many amazing people that want to see the region really be the best it can be and put hard work into it.
Pricing:
- EforAll programs are free!
- Hippo- Prices vary from $1 to $100. Average purchase price is $22
Contact Info:
- Address: EforAll / Groundwork
1213 Purchase St
New Bedford, MA 02740
Hippo
741 Purchase St
New Bedford, MA 02740 - Website: eforall.org ; shopathippo.com
- Phone: 508-858-8522
- Email: shelley@eforall.org; hello@shopathippo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/eforallhq ; instagram.com/shopathippo
- Facebook: facebook.com/entrepreneurshipforall ; facebook.com/shopathippo
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hippo-new-bedford
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
