Small Businesses That Have Exploded on the Scene

When you dream about what you want to do with your life and that dream comes true, it’s an amazing thing. Here are some of those business dreams that not only came to life, but that have irrupted to phenomenal heights. Read along and get some inspiration from these thriving entrepreneurs.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will always be successful.

SMB Studios

We are Steven and Megan Butler and are the “S” and “M” behind SMB studios! We are full time photographers and film makers when we aren’t playing the roles of mommy and daddy to our 4 boys.  We are high school sweethearts and we have been married since 2008.

Before we even had photography in our sights, we always knew that we wanted to be business owners together.  We love working as a team and being creative.  We truly bring out the best in each other when we are working together. When we started to become passionate about photography it all finally clicked into place and we wouldn’t want it any other way!

We have been capturing life’s most beautiful memories for people since 2012 and have loved every minute of it. We feel honored to get to be a part of telling our client’s stories; whether it be engagements, weddings, families, or special events…every single one is special and unique!

We would love to get to know you and help you tell your story though photography or videography.
Website: www.smb-studios.comemail: contact@smb-studios.comFacebook: @smbstudiosSTL

Red Zucchini Personal Chef Service

Hello. My name is Sacha Quernheim. I am a personal chef in St. louis and own Red Zucchini Personal Chef Service, which is an umbrella for, yes, regular home clients- but also omelet breakfasts for luxury apartment complexes, full service catering, and meal delivery.

I have operated Red Zucchini since 2012. For 17 years I worked at law firms but over the years had been teaching kids cooking classes, starting with my daughter’s Girl Scout troop.

When I was let go from my law firm job in 2013, I went online to find something. Initially I was tring to get into incubator kitchens, but I didn’t know if I wanted to do just cooking classes.

As I searched I found The American Personal & Private Chef Association online, which is a culinary association out of LA where members can learn about the business insurance and industry specific software to run the business. I am still a member of APPCA to this day because I can’t run my business without them.

In December 2013, I was approached by an insurance company to do an omelet breakfast for their holiday party. It went so well that I started contacting any business or apartment complex I could find that might want this for their office or residents.

It took awhile for it to click. I tried to get in touch with one of the most well known complexes in the city for a year and couldn’t get anyone to get back with me. I persisted and fortunately got it. “You have to be persistent if you want clients.” We work with 16 luxury apartment complexes in St. Louis and when new complexes open up they usually call us!

We now focus on our long time personal chef clients and meal deliver. It has turned into an amazing service for all of the residents that live in the complexes and other clients in the area that just need good, healthy food. We deliver chef prepared, whole foods meals on a weekly basis right to their door. Think Freshly or Blue Apron on steroids!

Tips for those just starting out and trying to figure out how to get clients:

• Market yourself: Do it every week even if you don’t need more clients. This is essential. I still do this today. I do it myself instead of one of my employees because it is the most important part of our business and has to be done no matter what.
• Be Patient! It will happen. You just need to keep doing what you are doing and it will happen eventually, but it does take time. Any new business will usually not make a profit for at least the first 2 years.
• Be Persistent: I always email prospects then follow up with a phone call. If I get voicemail I put a note on my calendar for a week to follow up again. Some people will make the phone call or send the email and never follow up. They will lose business. People appreciate you following up because they are busy. I never pester people, but I do call and/or email once a week until they answer. If they tell me they are not interested that’s fine; I just need an answer.

Contact information for Red Zucchini PCS www.red-zucchini.com www.facebook.com/redzucchinicooking/

Pirates & Pearls

Chelsea and I have always enjoyed shopping from the time she was a little girl. That was our passion. Finding original and cute outfits mainly for her.

When I first found out she was having a baby boy I scoured the web and stores for cute clothes for Baylor. I loved helping her build his wardrobe
and loved that she sought out my opinions. It was an area that was special for the two of us.

When she got pregnant the second time I knew I wanted to host a gender reveal party for her. I was lucky enough to be the only one to find out what she was having. I will never forget making that call and finding out it was a girl as I was driving to our lake house. Instead of driving to our house I went straight to the outlet mall and so the mission started to find the cutest clothes for the new baby girl(Camryn).

It was while on that trip that I learned I wasn’t just satisfied with the typical clothes found in most stores. I began an extensive search online for unique baby clothes and stumbled upon a wholesale site. I ordered several unique
outfits and surprised Chelsea with them.

During her pregnancy I spent more and more time finding unique finds at very reasonable prices. Friends of hers started having me get clothes for their kiddos. I found a darling little white dress and shared it online on Facebook and next thing I knew I had 50+ orders for that little dress.

Over the summer of 2018 I threw out the idea to Chelsea about us starting our own little online children’s boutique. She loved the idea and we spent some time finding the first items we would offer. We wanted a name that would be for both genders. Baylor at that time was obsessed with pirates so then we came up with a feminine word to go along with pirates.

Chelsea is the one who picks out most of the items and what she feels moms would want for their kids. Since I am retired and have more time I do the posting, ordering, bookkeeping, etc.

We have now branched out to women’s clothing too. We have a group on Facebook Pirates & Pearls where we post items for sale each day. There aree over 1000 member in our group and are selling many items each month.

I love to get pictures of the kiddos wearing the cute clothes they have bought from us. Finding good prices for unique clothes is our mission and we love the that we have been able to do this.

Lorri- the mom and Gaga to Baylor & Camryn
Chelsea- the daughter and mommy to Baylor and Camryn

KhyRynImages

When I first started KhyRynImages I was just a do it yourself, OCD, stay at home mom. I’ve always been inspired by those little girls. Any birthday, holiday, or girly related project, was always done with them in mind.
When I decided to pursue photography for myself, in 2016, my oldest had just turned 2. I actually ordered my very first DSLR camera and it arrived ON her birthday party.

(YIKES! I had zero knowledge on focusing or lighting, but I was determined to master it.) Since then, I have upgraded my camera more times than I care to admit. I’ve learned the photography triangle, taken multiple online courses, and have invested in real editing software.

… and now, this beauty is about to turn FIVE!

Little Rynie is finally a BIG SISTER!

And this one, is tugging on my heart strings as our family is perfectly complete.

But, I will give credit where credit is due. I would not have been able to do this without my husband. He has been my biggest supporter. He’s been my personal therapist, tech support, spell check, and every little detail in between.

Long story short, I am just like you & everyone else. I am human. I love my family more than life itself. Black and white photos are my favorite images. Children, especially newborns, are the best things in this world. Love stories are incredibly beautiful to me, & yes, I cry at weddings. Food is great, but better with avocado & bacon. Coffee and wine are my sanity, Dr.Pepper is good too.

Above all else, everything happens for a reason. Now that you know my reason, what is yours?
WEBSITE: https://khyrynjadeimagesllc.weebly.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KhyRynImages/

Urban Style

I am Stephanie, a busy mom of 3 – ages 5, 4, and 1 month and I love fashion.

I have always had a passion for clothing so I started my own boutique in June of 2017. After becoming pregnant with my third child, I decided to switch roles to an Amazon Associate. This allowed me to still do what I loved with fashion and be an at home mom with my 3 kiddos.

• What is an amazon associate? It is basically a personal shopper that finds the deals on affordable clothing, accessories, shoes and beauty products. Can it be anything on Amazon? Yes, however right now I choose to focus on women’s clothing, accessories, shoes and beauty products. It is what has kept me doing what I love. It also allows me to be the mom I want to my kids. I have been a stay at home mom for 5 years now and I was starting to lose my own “identity.” Starting my boutique gave that back to me, but being a mom always came first. It is a hard business in general and to run it alone was even more of a challenge! Becoming an Amazon Associate gives me the best of both worlds!

Join the fun at Urban Style. Come and see the unique styles that I have found for you at great prices.

Steeples

STEEPLES was formed out of a belief that music should be both fun and meaningful. The goal is to create music that gives listeners an escape and a live show that provide an unforgettable experience.

The group was forged late one night as the four were attempting to create a “new sound.” Their first song was written and recorded that night and a fire was born that’s driven them to keep honing in on their unique and energetic music.

A true story of 4 guys with a dream to come together and make something special.

Learn more about this impressive band on the Steeples Facebook page or Instagram. And you can find them at www.steeplesmusic.com for information about their upcoming tour dates and band news.

Brookie Cakes

Hi! My name is Brooke. I have been baking and decorating cakes and other yummy treats since 2005. I have previously worked as one of the Cake Girls of St. Louis, making edible works of art with my sister in law, Kelly. These days I am moving on alone in the cake business. I am married to my high school sweetheart and I am a stay at home mom of 4!

Brookie Cakes Custom Cakes & Sweets

I custom make beautiful, delicious, and affordable desserts for your  wedding event, graduation, anniversary, birthday and more!

Check out Brookie Cakes to take a look at some of the sweets I’ve created.  If you’d like to place an order, set up a free wedding consultation and taste test, or if you have any questions, feel free to email me at brookiecakes@ymail.com .

Rules of Success

No one is an overnight success story. Put in the work!

• Just start. You will learn so many lessons just by doing
• Take action on your ideas
• Don’t wait for the perfect moment, create it
• Remember where you started
• Truly believe in yourself
• Learn from adversity
• Visualize to achieve
• #believe
• Dreams can happen
• Use your creativity

Help Small Businesses Thrive – Do Your Part!

Susie Peas

I would love for you to check out my story too. Find out more about me and how I started with Susie Peas here. It’s scary putting yourself out there, but you will thank yourself in the end. This blog has been one of my favorite things that I have ever done for myself.

If you are thinking about jumping out there and becoming your own boss doing what you love, I hope these entrepreneurs have given you encouragement on taking your leap.

And I know that they would love for you to stop by and say Hi <3. Be sure to visit me, Susie Pea’s on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram too! It always makes me happy to share and visit with you. ~Susie Pea

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