Founded in 2001, The Polka Dot Press is a stationery and gift retailer-small in size with BIG ideas. The shop helps customers celebrate life’s occasions with everything from the perfect invitation to the personalized gift. Located in the market district off Thomasville road, The Polka Dot Press is the perfect one-stop shop for stationery, grad announcements, sorority gifts, monograms, personalized holiday gifts and so much more. If you can dream it, it’s possible that the PDP can make it happen. I sat down with the wonderful creator and business owner herself, Kim Williams, to chat about what it is like being a small business owner and how things have changed since she first opened.
Her Campus (HC): What was your education and work experience before opening the PDP?
The Polka Dot Press (PDP): I came to FSU as a transfer student and majored in fashion merchandising in the College of Human Sciences. I had known since high school what I wanted to do. During my last year in college, our program required an internship and I interned at Rich’s, a Federated department store, at one of their Birmingham stores. I lived there for 8 weeks and got hands-on experience in merchandising, men’s furnishings and customer service. Rich’s offered me a job in Atlanta after graduation. I still value the experience I gained from those early years. After Rich’s, I moved back to Tallahassee and opened a boutique specializing in all things baby called Noah’s. We sold clothing, bedding, and nursery items.
HC: How was owning Noah’s different from the PDP?
(PDP): I was 27 when I opened Noah’s. I was young and doing it all on my own. I had to make a lot of big decisions which helped me to grow and mature. I learned to do things on a budget and how to manage my time. From owning Noah’s I realized that the store does not have to be perfect or have the most expensive wood flooring or painted murals. What matters is the hard work you put into your business and the relationships that you build with your customers.
Courtesy: Kim Williams
HC: How did the PDP start?
(PDP): I was a stay at home mom with my son Addison and I started creating cards and stationery that I would sell to other moms at his school and in the neighborhood. The business started at my dining room table. I started a website and customers would pick up their items on my front porch. I started doing home shows and the business grew from there. In 2010 I opened up a store front on Market Street, The Polka Dot Press was a one-man show until that time. We now have 5-10 employees depending on the season and a lot of our girls are students at FSU studying Business and Fashion Merchandizing.
HC: What is the best thing about owning the Polka Dot Press?
(PDP): I would say the best thing is seeing those full circle moments. A lot of our customers have been with us since the very beginning, now almost 15 years. We have seen these people come to us with some of the most exciting events in their lives, from wedding invitations to birth and graduation announcements. We form meaningful connections with these people, and they become part of our family.
HC: What word of advice would you give to college girls hoping to start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs?
(PDP): I frequently come back to FSU to speak and give presentations on small business ownership and my biggest piece of advice is always this; go and learn from someone else first. Customer service can be learned from any job, and experience really is everything when it comes to owning your own business. As a business owner, everything falls back on you. Retail can be very tough, but I wouldn’t want to do anything else. If it is a dream of yours to own your own business, intern and learn from others first. Allow them to show you the ins and outs of the trade- the best way to learn is by doing.
HC: I love the Polka Dot Press! Where can we find out more?
(PDP): Our shop is located at 1433 Market St. in Tallahassee and you can also check us out on social media. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Snapchat @thepolkadotpress. Come into the store anytime! I would love to meet you all! And for anyone that comes in from Nov. 1 through Christmas, you can use coupon code hercampus15 to receive 15% off your entire purchase in-store and online at https://www.thepolkadotpress.com.