Photo by File

Heidi Slocumb applies make-up in her cosmetics store Blush. Along with Gwin and Faulk, Slocumb opened a business in Auburn while in her 20’s.

To some, Heidi Slocumb, Jana Gwin and Justin Faulk just might have an ideal job. They answer to no one, come and go as they please, delegate tasks to others, and ultimately do what they love. Only in their 20’s, they are already experiencing this independence. Many professions could boast a job description such as that, but what is different about their particular career track is that it gives them the freedom to take something they are passionate about and adapt it in such a way that it becomes a real-life form, in this case, a business. These three were able to mold a concept into actuality and start up a business in Auburn at a young age. 

Faulk got to thinking when he realized his love for oysters was not being fulfilled because of the lack of places to eat oysters in Auburn. This unfilled niche, coupled with his previous experience and background in the restaurant business, provided an opportunity for Faulk to capitalize on.

“Most of everything around here is franchised,” Faulk said. “There wasn’t anything locally owned. That’s how I got the idea because it wasn’t here so I wanted to do something here, restaurant style … oysters is what I came up with.”
Now open for a little over a year, Auburn Oyster Bar & Grill is sharing what Faulk loves with the rest of Auburn.

Right around the corner from the Oyster Bar on South College Street, another vision was realized, 180 Wellness Spa. Gwin worked at a spa for more than five years and witnessed firsthand some of the not so glamorous sides to running a business. So, Gwin never had hopes or aspirations of opening up her own business. But, then she began to develop some ideas of her own. She became more and more interested in putting her ideas into practice.

“I just gradually put together my own vision and had an idea … a really concrete vision in my mind on how I wanted things to be,” Gwin said. “I knew I just had to go for it.”

Her vision was a spa dedicated to total wellness by incorporating an eco-friendly theme, selling and using only organic products.

By August, Gwin’s vision was realized and 180 Wellness Spa was established. 

Up the road and now open for two years, Blush Cosmetic Boutique & Spa is the result of Slocumb pursuing her dream. She had always wanted to one day own her own store. Encouraged and supported by her husband, who happens to be a business owner as well, Slocumb got the idea for her business after feeling that Auburn was missing a cosmetic boutique and spa combination.

“I enjoy putting ideas together and seeing them through and owning a business allows for many ideas to surface,” Slocumb said.

Faulk, Gwin and Slocumb envisioned the niche their business would fill, but before they threw open the doors to the public, a tedious and time-consuming process lied ahead for them. From the conception of the business idea to the first day of operation, the process took Faulk, Gwin and Slocumb four to six months.

Slocumb said the hardest part about starting her business was having everything fall into place at the same time while also having the right products at the right time.

“Getting all of the product lines to come in at the right time along with the location and furniture is the hardest part,” she said.

Gwin said the most difficult part for her was making the transition from her full-time job to working on getting the business set up. She said that while she was working at her full-time job, she would come home and spend the night at work on her business plan.

In addition to handling all the details that come with starting a business, the amount of money needed to start a business had to be considered. Each owner realized that the initial start-up and operation costs generally were on the expensive side. 

“I was astounded by the numbers, Gwins said “I think it’s really important to budget … and then you’ve just got to stick it to.”

Gwin also emphasized that it was important to set boundaries and goals to follow and have realistic expectations as well.

“It takes more money than you realize to get every detail in place,” Slocumb added.

But what Slocumb, Gwin and Faulk realized that with the effort that came along in pursuing your passion is the responsibility of maintaining your business. Running a business requires hard work, dedication and sacrifice. The hours are long, stress is common, and remaining on top of everything is a must.

“It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Faulk said. “You go home at night and you’re thinking about what’s going on, what you can do or what’s the next big thing you can do to boost the business.”

Being a business owner might entitle you to a different type of freedom or power than most jobs, but Gwin admitted that she feels more tied to this job than she would at any other.

“I feel less freedom because I want to be here all the time,” she added.

Slocumb said it’s hard keeping a business running because the products or services being sold has to interest and attract customers at all times.

“You must keep things changing up to bring people back and that will bring new people in the door,” she said.

However, what keeps these business owners from succumbing to the pitfalls of managing their own business is the satisfaction they receive from serving and providing the public with what they love and also getting to interact with the public on a daily basis.

“The easiest part about owning my business today is selling products that I love and believe in and the best part about owning your business is being able to do what you love doing,” Slocumb says.

“The best thing is the camaraderie, being with the people, the customers, I just enjoy talking to people, learning things about them,” said Faulk.

Gwin said seeing her clients is the “fun part of her job,” and feels it’s important to meet new people and form new relationships while still maintaining the old ones.

“It’s a really nice way to not keep your day all mundane,” Gwin said.

Slocumb, Gwin and Faulk left some tips that young entrepreneurs should be aware of when considering opening a business. Faulk stressed that the restaurant industry is difficult to get in to and ultimately sustains your position.
“Going in, I never would’ve believed that but I do now, it’s tough, it’s tough,” he said.

Slocumb advised others to take the time to research, not to rush into anything, take full advantage of local resources and always ask questions. Gwin urged those who are considering starting a business to go ahead and take the plunge.
“We all can do so much more than we think we can do and you’re not going to know until you try,” she added.

Whether it is serving oysters, promoting total body wellness or selling cosmetic products, these owners are able to share their interests with the public. They each have acknowledged and accepted that the stresses of the job just come with the territory and are inevitable. But it only adds to the challenge, keeping them driven and resilient. 

“Owning your business is fun because it’s something that you want to do making it not feel like work and that’s the best part of having your own business,” Gwin added. “It’s so close to your heart, you don’t feel like it’s your job.”