Each month we'll be featuring a chamber member woman-owned business for their impact in our community. For April, we have chosenThe Popcorn Spot, owned by Traci Conners.
CONGRATULATIONS!
How long have you been in business?We opened in North Little Rock in December, 2016 and then opened our Cabot location in the summer of 2018.
What is your favorite part about having your business in Central Arkansas?We love the people!!! Getting to know our customers by name is important to us and we love making them feel special.
How did you get started?When we lived in Las Vegas there were several gourmet popcorn stores. We loved the product and the concept and the thought of working for ourselves. So, when we moved back to Arkansas- we had the opportunity to make our ideas come to life and we haven’t looked back since!!
What are the biggest challenges you face as a business owner in general, or as a woman?Opening a business takes a lot! Luckily my husband and I have accounting backgrounds and I have an operations background so that experience has really helped. What has been challenging is trying to figure out what marketing to do! So many options get thrown at you from radio, tv, print, social media, etc. Trying to get the best ROI as a small business is important!!! Every dollar spent is critical!!!
If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
I really love how far we’ve come since we opened. We’ve added fudge and built the Escape Spot next to our location in Cabot, but what I would love to change and figure out is the seasonality! We are working on a few other things to fill in the gaps between the Christmas/Valentine’s holidays like fundraising and corporate gifts!!! Last year was tough with our fundraising but with sports teams and schools needing funds- we have been blessed this year with more of those!
Do you have any important advice you could share to another person or woman who wants to start their own business? My advice is to use all the resources you have available!!!! I wasn’t aware of the ASBTDC (Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center) until several years into my operation!! What a game changer having that team on your side would have been! Finding a great mastermind group of women like {shift}her or entrepreneurial podcasts to pull nuggets of information from is a great way to get your creative juices flowing and have support from others wanting to start a business just like you!!! And of course- getting involved with local BNI or Chambers of Commerce can help build your network of credible supporters!!!
North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
36th Annual Meeting
IN-PERSON TABLES SOLD OUT!
VIRTUAL TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!
Thank you to all of our members who have sponsored or purchased a table. If you would like to be added to a waiting list to attend in-person, please email Ashley. Or purchase a virtual ticket and join us from your office!
Join us at The Venue at Oakdale for a Second Tuesday Social during their Grand Opening Celebration! Come see their beautiful event space and visit with some of their vendors, while networking and enjoying complimentary drinks and light snacks.
The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce will be kicking things off with a Ribbon Cutting at 4 pm and all are welcome to join.
The Arkansas Scholars program is a program of the Arkansas Business and Education Alliance supported by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Students are required to meet a set of criteria that will prepare them for both the workplace and additional education after high school. The Chamber is asking its business members or individuals to partner in this great achievement.
The following sponsorship opportunities available are:
The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the North Little Rock Young Professionals, is hosting "A Night in the Caribbean" Business After Hours, presented by TruService Community Federal Credit Union. The night will feature live entertainment, food, drinks, networking, music and door prizes.
SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE! Contact Elyse Cullen at 372-5959 for more details.