Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Geishecker.
Brittany, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I worked for Goodies throughout high school and college as a seasonal employee. I was a local and loved working downtown Chatham in the summer; it’s non-stop busy and always fun to see who you’ll meet. After graduating from UVM (BA Economics) in 2009, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do next. I headed back to the Cape for “one last summer” thinking I would move up to Boston in the Fall. The owner of Goodies at the time offered me a management/buyer position for that summer, which I was flattered and excited to take on. Throughout the next few months, I learned a LOT and realized I loved this position. I permanently settled on the Cape, bought a house, got married, and ran a business! I made a commitment to Goodies as manager/buyer until 2016 when it came time for me to either move on or buy the business. Luck was on my side because I was able to purchase the business in April of 2016 (along with balancing new Mom life with a five-month-old!). It was a process to get where I am today but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road! The beginning of the business purchase process was a bump in the road. Being a younger person (29) without a lot of savings (hello student loans), I needed to establish a line of credit at a bank, and nearly every bank I went to had an application process a mile long. Many of the banks didn’t understand the nature of the seasonal business. The last (and local) bank I went to was excited for me upon arrival, and gave me what I needed! I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and support of this bank (shoutout to Cape Cod Five).
Another struggle and eye-opener was the amount of paperwork and office time I need each week. Being a business owner is no joke; work hours are spent at the store AND at home. Owning a business is a 24-hour job. But it also has the benefits of having a flexible schedule, which is perfect for me, a Mom.
I was pregnant when I was in the process of buying Goodies. My daughter was born in November 2015, so having a newborn and an almost-new business was crazy! People would say to me “oh my god, how on earth are you going to do both?!”, from which I replied, “I’m not sure but it’s my dream to have this business.” I knew I would regret it if I didn’t at least try.
Advice for other women: don’t let ANYTHING stop you from doing what you love. Work HARD. But also don’t wait to have kids if you want them! Mom life is crazy and it is definitely a challenge to balance work/home life, but it is totally doable. Life is so good right now for our family!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Goodies – what should we know?
I own Goodies, which is a small town clothing & accessories store for women, men, children, and people of all ages. We carry a lot of the “Life is Good” brand, which makes us a Life is Good Genuine Neighborhood Shop. Goodies started out in 2003, carrying strictly Life is Good products. When I bought the business I saw a niche to carry other things. Over the past few years, I have brought in other brands that either give back in some way or are local. Both of which complement the Life is Good brand and philosophy. We have a lot of fun and unique items you won’t find at other stores on Main Street.
Some of our charitable brands include Life is Good, Pura Vida bracelets, Chavez for Charity, Teleties, Natural Life, and more.
We are especially known for our local brands (and what I am most proud of). I LOVE buying local brands and supporting other locals who are in the same boat as me. Our local companies include Cape Shark Co (Chatham), ARTichoke (Eastham), Cape Cod Nail Company, Cape Hook Designs, Local Cape Cod, Washashore Soaps, and locally made leather earrings. Not to mention Life is Good is a local New England brand with offices in Boston, MA and Hudson, NH.
I would also like to mention that I keep the environment in mind when buying products and running my business. I don’t want to sell crap that could end up in a landfill in a week. We use recycled paper bags vs. plastic (and encourage the use of reusable shopping bags). We use LED light bulbs. We clean with environmentally safe cleaners and use unbleached paper towels. We recycle. I respect the environment and believe every little effort counts.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Definitely. My parents encouraged me to get to work at the age of 14, where I started my first job as a cashier at The Mayflower Shop in Chatham. I also dug and sold clams with a friend for a few summers. From then on I always had a job doing something. This taught me responsibility, self-motivation, and the benefits of earning money. I also saw how hard my parents worked to support our family, and knew I wanted to do the same for my own family.
Contact Info:
- Address: 616 Main Street
Chatham, MA 02633 - Phone: 508-945-4448
- Email: goodieschatham@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodieschatham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodiesChatham
Image Credit:
All images taken by me, except for the one of my daughter holding the shopping bag (photo by Kim Roderiques)
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