A&E Exclusive: New Shop Opens in Galesburg, Illinois
Owner Jaime Nelson talks about her greatest challenges opening Personally Yours Creations so far and what's to come.
Personally Yours Creations opened up shop last month at 223 E. Main St. in Galesburg, Illinois. The store personalizes children’s books, signs, name badges, plates, plaques, ornaments, mugs, wine glasses, tumblers, placards, labels, and more using techniques including engraving and hand painting.
Owner Jaime Nelson originally started working for another business that sold personalized children’s books back in 1998. She later purchased the business and started setting up at the local mall during the holidays. “From there it just grew,” she remembers. “I added personalized ornaments and piggy banks first, then got a vinyl plotter and started making signs and picture frames. Recently, I had the opportunity to purchase a laser engraving machine, and a heat press and sublimation printer. There are so many options for me with these new machines.”
Nelson recently moved from her hometown to Galesburg and felt it was time to try something new, which ultimately led her to purchasing the space for Personally Yours Creations. She explains, “I have always just been seasonal and worked out of my home the other times of the year. I felt it was time to open up my own permanent store … I have been very fortunate to work with some great people, but I have always wanted to have my own store, (and) I’m looking forward to being my own boss.”
She officially purchased the store at the end of July has been preparing for business since then. Although she says it has been a challenge getting her inventory together and setting up displays, she asserts she’s ready for the challenge. “Staring at a blank slate is kind of scary, but once I started putting things out and moving them a hundred times, I got the store looking like I wanted,” she adds.
The next step is getting the business noticed. “I am somewhat new in this town, and I don’t have the word-of-mouth yet like I did in my hometown,” she explains. As such, she will focus more efforts on newspaper and radio advertising as well as introducing a social media campaign and attending local Chamber of Commerce meetings.
As of right now, Nelson is the only employee at Personally Yours Creations; however, she hopes to hire a couple new employees in near future, especially with the busy holiday season approaching.
For more information, visit www.personallyyourscreations.com.
