Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Forsythe-Tobin.
Hi Regina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew in my grandparents family business and wanted to own my own business one day. I worked as a retail manager for serval companies and eventually worked my way up in the corporate world as a regional loss prevention manager and district manager. I left to pursue my own business. I took pottery classes in Virginia Beach where my husband was stationed. My work was in several business and galleries in the area until we moved here in 2017. I came in to Seaside Shoppes shortly after moving here to sell my pottery. I expanded my space and started repurposing furniture as well. I purchased the shop in January of 2020 when the owners mother tragically passed and he wanted to move back to Georgia. It didn’t start out easy as the world shut down three months in. We have a great landlord who worked with us and we had to get creative on selling while closed, and we did. Three years ago I ventured in to a new art, making soap, bath and candle products. I’ve been slowly growing that line and will continue to grow that. I made a lot of changes in the shop to help grow the shops business. We have over 50 local artists and are now offering classes in different forms of art. It’s been one of the most challenging and most rewarding that I’ve been a part of. I don’t call it a job, because I love what I do. We have built a great family in Seaside Shoppes that I’m very proud of. It takes a village and that’s what we have built.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, I bought the shop in January of 2020 and then the world shut down, but we figured it out and survived, not all small businesses do. It’s hard sometimes because the cost of supplies have gone up, but we try to be affordable. It’s challenging sometimes to compete with mass produced item made overseas. I don’t know everyone understands that, or the craftsmanship and love that goes into the work our artists make.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a local artist co-op with 50 local artists throughout our shop. Some people rent a booth, bookcase, shelf, wall space or a table. Everyone helps in the shop to help it be successful. We have a very diverse selection of art, furniture, pottery, jewelry, soap, candles, bath products, tea towels, crochet, mosaic, stain glass, wood work and varies decor. You can purchase one of a kind or order a custom piece. We also are now offering classes for our customers to create art. Know that when you’re shopping in Seaside Shoppes, you’re supporting local artists. By doing this, we can continue to do what we love! Every day you come in to our shop, you’ll meet our artists.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Working in my grandparents shop or going on trips with my grandfather to buy for the shop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.SEASIDESHOPPES.COM
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasideshoppes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seaside.shoppes
