Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Florey
Hi Tina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Tina Florey. Born in Detroit, Michigan and relocating to Florida in my high school senior year and then to Tennessee in 2011. I have always been employed in positions that involved working with the public. I have been employed in retail, the food and beverage industry, manufacturing, as a hairdresser for 16 years, in juvenile justice and then social services. My husband, Mel, worked in the construction industry all of his life and is by nature a people person. When I moved to Tennessee I began working for The Department of Children’s Services as an investigator. I have always felt the desire to have my own business and give something back to my community.
Upon retirement a few years ago, I approached my husband with the idea to open a business. We really had no idea what kind or where to begin. We thought about it and looked at properties to house a business. We came up with a vendor mall, housing vendors of handmade crafts, new, slightly used, vintage and antique items. The location we found for our business is directly across from The Depot in Etowah, TN so it seemed we needed a name to coincide, thus we decided we wanted to call ourselves Whistlestop Shoppes.
Etowah was once a booming area with many popular stores along its main street, Tennessee Avenue. Over the past several years many have closed. For that reason, I have tried to keep a variety of vendors, offering merchandise for all ages and interests. We have made many friends, repeat customers and have over 70 wonderful vendors.
We are members of the Etowah City Chamber of Commerce and work together to support community businesses and shopping local. My goal is to work with my vendors, other businesses and the community to make Etowah what it once was, a place to spend the day out, shopping and making new friends along the way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I knew nothing about running a business from the financial side. It has been through trial and error and some scary mistakes that I have learned so much.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Whistlestop Shoppes is a vendor mall, opened on October 4, 2023, with 70 plus vendors or handcrafted, new used, vintage, antique and boutique.
I am proud that I have been able to grow to the size we are now and that with each day in business we have become more successful. I think what sets us apart is that we have such a variety of products to offer and serve such a diverse population.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I was asked by an advertiser if I was another businesses competitor. I told him I was not a competitor to any business, I am a supporter.
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