HAHIRA — Being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy, and everyone does it a little differently. Some open online stores, while others open brick-and-mortar storefronts.

Some go all in and invest their lives into a new venture, while others start a new business as something to do on the side. Regardless of the type, entrepreneurs help drive the local economy.

Vicki Rountree, owner of Monkey Britches Boutique, took her finances into her own hands in 2014.

At the time, Rountree had been laid off after 18 years of work as a pharmaceutical representative, and she knew it was time to make a change in her life.

“I knew I didn’t want to continue in that industry,” she said. “I took my severance package and opened my own business.”

However, before starting her business, Rountree researched what the community needed and eventually came to a conclusion.

“I knew from years in sales and marketing that it had to fit a need. Knowing the area, I knew it had to be an affordable place to buy children’s clothing,” she said.

With her business in mind, Rountree continued her research by creating a Survey Monkey. Survey Monkey is a free online, anonymous platform for business owners to gather information from their customer base, Rountree said.

The survey was sent to friends and families to assess the needs of Rountree’s peers and how they react to the idea of a children’s store opening in the area.

Rountree also used the UGA Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University and the SEEDS Resource Center to research local, regional and national trends, pricing and other information for her business.

By the time Rountree was done with her research, she had a 30-page business plan for her business that sells boys and girls clothing, shoes and accessories.

“I came from an industry where we lived and died by business plans,” she said. “We did one every quarter, so I knew I had to have a good business plan in place.”

Armed with knowledge and equipped with an extensive business plan, Rountree opened her business.

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Rountree leans on the lessons her family taught her growing up and strives to create a family atmosphere in her store.

“I saw my parents treat the customers like they were everything,” Rountree said. “I wanted to bring customer service back.”

Rountree made her children’s clothing store be more than a place for parents to come and buy clothing and leave. She wanted it to be a place where children want to visit. She creates an environment where children are welcome with plenty of toys available.

“I think we’ve been successful,” she said about creating a kid-friendly environment. “When I walk around town, the kids recognize me. We have toys for them to play with and nothing is off limits for the kids to touch in the store.”

Rountree said she hasn’t forgotten about the adults who bring the children.

“I tell people all the time Monkey Britches is more than selling shoes and kids clothing,” she said. “I feel God put me here for a reason. And every day is an opportunity to witness, and I hope that people can see what we are doing in there. We share a lot of hugs.

“It’s a place where people can come and feel like family. They can come and leave with something more than just their purchases.”

Rountree advises prospective business owners to do their research and be prepared to work.

“Owning a business is not glamorous, but it’s a lot of hard work,” she said. “It can be hard doing the research to make sure your business is viable and can have a go of it.

“You may learn in that research that you have a passion or a hobby that you want to make a business of, but it won’t work. You may find that it isn’t a viable option and that you have to go to plan B.”

Monkey Britches Boutique, 107 W. Main St., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (229) 794-4645. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.