Name of Company: PJ’s Elite Thrift Store
Name: Phyllis Jean Hobert
1. Tell us a little about yourself: I became a widow six years ago and did not know what to do. I always loved thrift stores. When this one became open I thought I would give it a try.
2. Did you have prior experience or knowledge of the industry? I had always been an avid thrift store shopper.
3. How many employees do you have besides yourself? And how do you select the people that join your staff? My daughter is the store manager and takes care of the book-work. She is full-time and I have four part-timers. I usually hire people that I know such as neighbors. Some of the kids come here after school to help move furniture.
4. What do you like most about owning your own business? (Laughing) I can’t think of one thing! No. Really, I mostly enjoy meeting all of the people.
5. What do you like the least about owning your own business? Sometimes you worry if you are even going to bring in enough money to cover your rent. You would not believe all of the different taxes you have to pay.
6. About how many hours do you work per day or week (on average)? I take care of my 92 year-old mother in the mornings before I come to work. My daughter works the store mostly. I would say that I average 10-11 hours a day and that does not include the work I do at home (cleaning stuff and getting it ready to bring back to the store to sell).
7. Are there things that you would do or handle differently if given the chance? Nope. This store is rewarding as it is. We help out people whenever we can; for example flood victims and church members who need things. Plus a portion of all our proceeds goes to benefit the Currituck Animal Lovers Assistance. (That is why her store is called PJ’s Elite Thrift Store).
8. Do you have any advice that you would like to offer to potential entrepreneurs? Definitely check into all of the expenses tied into it. There are unemployment, state, city ,… taxes. Make sure you know ALL of your overhead expenses.
