In 2010, Joy Quinn-Whalen put aside a 15-year career as an IT and management consultant to pursue a lifelong dream starting a businesses and being her own boss. She opened her first outlet of The Spice & Tea Exchange that year. Now Quinn-Whalen is up to four stores, the latest opening in Ocean City this year before beach-going weather rolled in. She agreed to answer a handful of questions from MDBIZNews about becomingan entrepreneur.
Q: What made you decide to give up the (perhaps relative) predictability of your career and go the entrepreneurial route?
A: From the time I was a child my father's words have echoed in my ear, "Sure is nice to be your own boss." I think that has driven me throughout my education and career. I've sought out experiences in numerous industries requiring a broad range of skills. It turns out that the array of perspective born in such varied activities has aided me in running my own business; the ability to analyze, listen, observe, improvise and think fast on my feet are all required. My dad called me a "trailblazer" and I'm meant to cut my own path as an entrepreneur.
Q:How different was it opening the first store and having employees, inventory, a physical location and all the other trappings that come with owning a product-based small business?
A: In regards to opening first location compared to my Ocean City location, it wasn't much different except we were able to do it in a much shorter timeframe. I'm still doing the business analysis, developing policies and more, but I now have control over all levers rather than just making recommendations.
Q:Was there a single moment that crystallized the need or the desire to make that move and open the first store?
A: No single moment, it's been a lifelong goal of mine to have my own business.
Q:Is it what you expected it to be?
Based on my experiences in business school I had a clear notion of the ups and downs of running your own business, especially a product based business. I would say it has met my expectations and have really enjoyed both the internal parts as well as the customer service end.
Q:What is one thing you wish you had known before you made that transition, or done differently?
A: I would not do anything differently! Between my own preparation and all the help, advice and more from The Spice & Tea Exchange corporate team I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out.
Q:What's the best part?
A: Feeling like you are in control of your destiny. It is great to see the fruits of your labor and all your hard work and time spent pay off.
Q:What is the most difficult part of owning your own business?
A: Finding ways to maintain a good work/life balance not just for myself, but for my team as well.
Q: If you could give a person considering the same type of career transition a single piece of advice, what would it be?
A: Listen to Mike Rowe, don't simply "follow your passion." Find what you are good at, apply it, and bring passion along with you!
