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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Cherie Rodowsky signed up for a website design class in April 2009, and by June she had a web-based business up and running.
Her business, ThePlantContainerStore.com, sells a variety of plant containers to individuals across the nation.
“Manufacturing companies don't generally sell to individuals — that's where I come in,” Rodowsky said.
Rodowsky, 27, learned in the class it was best to choose a product that is searched for online at least 1,000 times a month, and has low competition.
“I'm a gardener — I do a lot of indoor plants,” Rodowsky said. “Before I started I had been on the Internet looking for plant containers for my personal use. I wasn't finding what I wanted.”
So she chose plant containers and learned how to make manufacturers' pots available to individual consumers.
Most of her clients are from New York and California; many orders are for doctors' offices. Customers find Rodowsky's business via the search engine Google.
“It's been going pretty well,” Rodowsky said. “There have been steady increases.”
People seek out her online store because there's a larger selection than what you'll find in the brick-and-mortar stores, Rodowsky said.
“It's personalized and customized to individuals,” she said.
“I have great containers for college dorms,” that are self-watering, bright colors and small.
With a degree in psychology, Rodowsky has worked as a social worker in the past. She sought out the Business Incubator Center for advice and guidance on how to start and run a business. The Incubator is a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost business classes and free consulting to new and expanding local businesses.
She attended a “How to start a business class” and also met with Incubator program manager Annalisa Pearson to learn about cash flow and setting personal goals for the business.
Eventually, Rodowsky would like to open a storefront.
Meanwhile, Rodowsky works at keeping her website current.
“In the wee hours of my life I keep up with Facebook and Twitter, blogging — all those things the website companies recommend,” Rodowsky said.
Locals interested in buying plant containers online can receive a “locals discount” by typing “locals,” Rodowsky said.
For more information visit ThePlantContainerStore.com.
Her business, ThePlantContainerStore.com, sells a variety of plant containers to individuals across the nation.
“Manufacturing companies don't generally sell to individuals — that's where I come in,” Rodowsky said.
Rodowsky, 27, learned in the class it was best to choose a product that is searched for online at least 1,000 times a month, and has low competition.
“I'm a gardener — I do a lot of indoor plants,” Rodowsky said. “Before I started I had been on the Internet looking for plant containers for my personal use. I wasn't finding what I wanted.”
So she chose plant containers and learned how to make manufacturers' pots available to individual consumers.
Most of her clients are from New York and California; many orders are for doctors' offices. Customers find Rodowsky's business via the search engine Google.
“It's been going pretty well,” Rodowsky said. “There have been steady increases.”
People seek out her online store because there's a larger selection than what you'll find in the brick-and-mortar stores, Rodowsky said.
“It's personalized and customized to individuals,” she said.
“I have great containers for college dorms,” that are self-watering, bright colors and small.
With a degree in psychology, Rodowsky has worked as a social worker in the past. She sought out the Business Incubator Center for advice and guidance on how to start and run a business. The Incubator is a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost business classes and free consulting to new and expanding local businesses.
She attended a “How to start a business class” and also met with Incubator program manager Annalisa Pearson to learn about cash flow and setting personal goals for the business.
Eventually, Rodowsky would like to open a storefront.
Meanwhile, Rodowsky works at keeping her website current.
“In the wee hours of my life I keep up with Facebook and Twitter, blogging — all those things the website companies recommend,” Rodowsky said.
Locals interested in buying plant containers online can receive a “locals discount” by typing “locals,” Rodowsky said.
For more information visit ThePlantContainerStore.com.
