Hello and Season’s Greetings from Coal Region Canary’s Small Business Showcase! This Christmas, we invite you to join us in celebrating the heart and soul of our community – the local businesses that give our region its distinct flair.
We’ll be sharing captivating stories from these entrepreneurs and featuring their exclusive products, perfect for your holiday shopping needs. Let’s get into the festive spirit by supporting the pillars of our local economy! 🎄🎁
| Business Name | Lucy & Leigh |
|---|---|
| Business Owner | Heather Schlein |
| Location | Tower City (Online Business) |
| Business Phone Number | 570-447-4483 |
| Website | lucyandleigh.com |
| Lucy & Leigh | |
| lucyandleigh | |
| Other | Additional Site |
| Description of Products and Services | Specializes in hand-cut leather earrings and accessories |
| Year Established | 2021 |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Cash, debit & credit cards, Venmo |
Q&A with Heather Schlein, owner of Lucy & Leigh
Learn more about inspiring story behind Lucy & Leigh …
What inspired you to start this business, and how did your personal journey lead you here?
“I started Lucy & Leigh in April of 2021. During the pandemic, I started making earrings for myself for fun, but really got into it once we returned to school. At the same time, my dog, Lucy, had increasingly expensive medical needs and I was looking for a way to off-set her medical expenses. I had a few friends asking about my earring designs, so I decided to open up an Etsy shop and see what happened.”
What unique products or services do you offer that can’t be found elsewhere in our community?
“Every piece I create is cut from a single sheet of leather, so each pair ends up being unique as the exact cut of the pattern on the leather is rarely replicated!”
How does your business contribute to the local community or participate in community events?
“When Lucy passed in February 2022, I remained committed to helping senior dogs and dogs with special needs. I donate a portion of sales to dog rescues and have sponsored the adoption of several special needs dogs in the past two years. I’ve also worked with local schools for fundraisers and recently raised over $1,000 for North Schuylkill’s Spartan Games through the sale of custom Spartan Games earrings.”
Can you share an interesting fact or story about your business that most people may not know?
“In addition to running Lucy & Leigh, I’m also a high school English teacher at North Schuylkill!”
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a small business, and how did you overcome it?
“The biggest challenge of owning a small business for me has been exposure and getting my name out there. I’ve worked really hard to build my social media presence to connect with customers both locally and across the nation. It’s been really important to network, especially since I don’t have a storefront. Without the support of the Lucy & Leigh community, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s been very humbling to step back and look at the community that surrounds this little business of mine!”
What do you want customers to experience when they interact with your business?
“When people shop with Lucy & Leigh, I hope that they walk away knowing how much I appreciate their support. I hope my pieces make them feel beautiful and confident.”
What are your future plans or dreams for your business? Are there any upcoming projects or expansions you’re excited about?
“I would love to see Lucy & Leigh build more of a presence in retail stores. I have big dreams for designing and supplying my own leather in the next few years. I never could have imagined what the last two and a half years have been like, so I’m excited to experience what’s to come! I’m also very much looking forward to celebrating my third year in business!”
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own business in our community?
“The first step is starting! You will never know what could happen if you don’t put yourself out there. Find your network and build each other up!”
What does your business offer that would make a great gift for the holiday season?
“Custom, one-of-a-kind earrings & stocking tags that can be reused for years to come.”
Submitted photos
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COAL REGION CANARY SUPPORTS SHOP LOCAL!
Make your business part of our Small Business Showcase. Click or tap here to find the form to submit your business for a profile just like this one!
Check out all the businesses who’ve participated in our Showcase so far …
| Hydrangea Cottage | Leiby's Carriage Service | The Maid's Quarters |
|---|---|---|
| Archangel Creations | Cards by Jessi | Pressed Coffee & Books |
| Sughr & Company | Lucy & Leigh |
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