Featured Solopreneur Caroline Colóm Vásquez: “I Always Had the Entrepreneurial Spirit In Me”

This is “Featured Solopreneur,” an ongoing series that gives all of us a glimpse at how other solopreneurs operate their small businesses. Click Here to read more Solopreneur Success Stories.

Name of solopreneur:
Caroline Colóm Vásquez

Name of business and city:
Paloma’s Nest; Austin, Texas

Web site address:
www.palomasnest.com

Type of business:
Paloma’s Nest produces handcrafted modern heirlooms and home furnishings. I sell my designs primarily online through our independent shop.

When did you officially go into business?
October 2007

Why did you start your own business?
I always had the entrepreneurial spirit in me, with the desire to create a tangible product from my art work. The online world allowed me to put my ideas in front of an international audience. By curating my own online shop, I am able to control how my products are presented and viewed. It also allows me the flexibility to be a mother, and, in the early days of the company, work from home when needed.

What was the best thing you did when you were starting up your business?
Moving my studio and office operations out of my home. As an entrepreneur it has always been difficult to separate home and work life; to have the physical separation between home and work has helped create some balance in an otherwise hectic schedule and lifestyle.

What is a mistake that you made that you have learned from?
Not getting help soon enough. When I first started my business, many months were extremely overwhelming; we experienced a big demand for our product very early on. As exciting as this was, it was also difficult on myself and my family. Had I only learned to delegate tasks that others could do, much of this stress may have been avoided.

What is your biggest current challenge in the business and what are doing to try to solve it?
Our current challenge lies in our ability to produce handcrafted products in larger quantities to meet demand. This requires continuous expansion of our studio space and extensive training of local artisans to work in the same methods and style that I do, under my supervision.

Where do you want to be with the business in five years?
I plan to expand the Paloma’s Nest product line to include additional home furnishings and home accessories for all occasions and all rooms of the house. We will be expanding our wholesale division and attending the major gift and handcraft shows across the country. We see this as a key to building our brand recognition.

What lifestyle choices have you had to make to stay in business?
Being your own boss is the most difficult job you will ever have. There seems to never be a time or day when you are not working in some way, shape, or form. Sacrifices are made when it comes to social life, schedule, and priorities. It is a choice and a commitment, but it can also be the most gratifying way to live. In many ways, you control your own destiny.