From Survival to Success: The Journey of Monique DuQuette, owner of The Quaint Garden

In the bustling landscape of retail, where innovation meets tradition, stories of resilience and success often emerge from the most unexpected corners. Meet Monique DuQuette, owner the Quaint Garden, a certified Elite Dixie Belle Paint retailer who has turned her creative and DIY nature into a post-retirement. #SideHustle?

Newer to the retail business, Monique offers a unique perspective of thriving in the industry during tough economic times. She has never shied away from working hard, adapting and persevering in any aspect of life. By applying these principles to her business, Monique is on an upward growth in sales.?She stays on top of décor trends and ever-evolving innovations in the creative and DIY industry.?

About Monique:?

Business Name and location:?the Quaint Garden, located inside TipTop Variety Shoppe, 400 S. Main St, McGregor, TX 76657?

Social Media:?

Instagram:?@monique_thequaintgarden?

Facebook?Business Page:?the?Quaint Garden?

TikTok: @monique_duq?

Year Established:?2023?

Description?of Business: Monique operates a booth in a small shop in the small town of McGregor, TX, just South-West of Waco, TX, known for the TV series “Fixer Upper” and the corresponding shop, “Magnolia Market”, household names to any DIYer.?Monique’s shop offers antique and vintage items from various vendors, as well as her home decor items, painted furniture, upcycled items and the Chalk Mineral Paint and Silk All-In-One Paint lines by Dixie Belle Paint Company.?The shop’s clientele is welcomed into Monique’s area by her cheerful and colorful display of the paint products, her on-trend home decor created in part with Dixie Belle Paint and her painted furniture.?

Turning Retirement into a Side Hustle:??

Monique’s passion for home decor and decorating started during high school, and has only blossomed with time and experience.?She has taken on many home renovation and home designs for various homes over the years.?Monique will DIY projects on a budget as a way to incorporate unique decor and design into her homes.???

In 2019, Monique and her husband moved to Texas to start a business after her retirement.?The devastating effects of Covid on the economy and small businesses quickly put an end to that venture.?

In 2021, Monique was trying various paint lines for her personal use.?She discovered the Chalk Mineral Paint and SILK All-In-One Paint lines by Dixie Belle Paint and was immediately impressed.?She found her local retailer and it became her go-to paint for her home decor and projects. When her local retailer left, she found a new retailer at the TipTop Variety Shoppe.?

Monique was using Dixie Belle Paint to paint furniture and décor, which she sold in her own booth. When a retailer gave up the spot, and Monique leapt at the opportunity, applied for and was granted the Zip Code to become an exclusive Dixie Belle Paint Retailer.?Being a Paint Retailer was not part of her business plan, but she saw an opportunity that she had to go for.

Now in 2024, Monique’s paint sales are her main source of revenue at her booth.?This past March has been her best paint-selling month yet!?

Strategy For Success: Push Outside the Every Day?

This past year, Monique made it her mission to embrace this new retail world by learning, growing and networking.?She seized every opportunity for training, in-person networking with other Retailers, and learning from other Creators in the Dixie Belle Paint Company world.?

She attended a 2023 summer Workshop training at another Retailer’s location named The Shabby Chicas in Selma, TX.?The workshop was sponsored by Dixie Belle and attended by Suzanne Fulford, the owner of Dixie Belle Paint Co., Teri Ronk, the CMO, and was taught by one the Brand Ambassadors, Tracey’s Fancy. Not only did she learn from Tracey in person, but Monique talked with the owners and interacted with other retailers and creators.?

Monique enjoyed making these connections so much that she attended a full weekend workshop by Tracey’s Fancy called “Riverside Paint Retreat 2023”.?Here she was able to learn hands-on from Tracey in a friendly and inspiring setting that went much further. The workshop was attended by other painters who all shared painting, networking, dancing and meals in a fun-while-learning environment.?

"Meeting and creating alongside other people with the same passion is something I recommend others experience!"

Customer Service Challenges and Strategies:?

Monique explains that being a booth owner has its challenges with customer service. She is not always the person interacting with her customers to ensure they have the knowledge and products needed to achieve their vision.?Here are five ways in which Monique makes certain that her customers have a positive customer experience:?

1. She makes it a point to be in her booth once a week and is available to her customers.?She is then able to help her customers in person.?
2. She communicates with the owner of the shop, ensuring the owner has any and all new product, promotional and marketing information.?
3. Monique prominently displays her business cards in her booth.?She includes a QR Code for her Social Media platforms and her contact information.?Now her customers know how to easily contact Monique for help and guidance, and she responds to any and all inquiries.?
4. Social media is a powerful mechanism to communicate with current and potential customers.?Monique makes sure to post about her business daily on Facebook and Instagram.?She engages with others by replying to comments, sharing other creators’ work and events to broaden her reach.?
5. Monique prioritizes keeping her local Google My Business posts and photos current.?She also found Google My Business to be a valuable tool in reaching and acquiring customers.?

Future Goals and Projections:??

May 2024 will be Monique’s 1-year anniversary as a retailer for Dixie Belle Paint Company.?She started this venture with the drive to be a success; she has worked hard and consistently to gain traction and customers and is now seeing her best results yet.?She plans on continuing her practices that have resulted in this uptick in sales and growing more in the community.?

The importance of the in-person shopping experience is not lost on Monique in the world of on-line shopping habits by consumers. In fact, one of her goals for 2024 is to develop ways to better assist people with their painting needs and questions in person.?She is exploring ways to integrate with other local businesses, which expands her reach and creates new business relationships in the process.?Networking with other small local businesses is an excellent strategy for growth and sustainability.?

? #DixieBellePaint #DIY #SideHustle #CreativeEntrepreneurship #BestPaintOnPlanetEarth ?? ?

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