My name is Michelle McElhinney, and I am a very proud female entrepreneur and owner of The Carson House – an Upscale Consignment Furniture & Home Décor store in Kingston’s West End.
I must say, I am thrilled and honored to be featured in the WMB Newsletter. I have always found great value in learning from those around me, so I hope you will take away a few nuggets of wisdom as you read along.
It was a happen stance moment, and very serendipitous, when I learned of The Carson House while shopping for a sofa. I entered the space and was immediately taken by how different it was to anything I had ever seen…like coming home. The furniture was well crafted and unique. It was that same visit that I learned that it was for sale.
As I evaluated this investment opportunity, I quickly realized that in addition to filling a much-needed gap in Kingston’s furniture marketplace (a sustainable option to buying new) this intriguing business model ticked all my boxes. It was the perfect canvas for me to feed my creative side, build a business that I believed in, and provide an income for my family, here in Kingston.
My career up until this point had been in corporate leadership training in various cities across Canada. However, a transfer with my husband’s company had taken our family to the wonderful city of Kingston. I had continued to take contract work, requiring me to commute back and forth across Ontario, but I knew it was time for a change.
Firstly, to set the stage, I must acknowledge that any success I have had to this point – as a female leader, or as a business owner, is because of the experiences that got me to this very place. I have worked for a few great leaders and many poor ones, all giving me what I needed to create my own blueprint. My leadership philosophy has always been based on the belief that you do not need a title to be a leader, and regardless of what you choose to do in life, hard work, mastery and an unwavering commitment to every task and every opportunity is all you really need to succeed.
Here are just a few of my guiding principles, my non-negotiables…that keep me focused and on my path.
#1: Remain focused on and share your ‘why’ with the world.
It is of course very important to share‘ what’ you do with your staff and the marketplace, however, if you want to change behaviour, grow your business, and build followers, it is equally, if not more important, to share ‘why’ you do what you do.
‘What’ we do at The Carson House is simple– we offer a unique shopping experience to anywhere in Kingston by showcasing an eclectic mix of well-crafted, curated consignment furniture & home décor in a 5000sq. ft. showroom.
Check us out online at
www.thecarsonhouse.ca or better yet pop in for a visit…
Why we do what we do?
Sadly, we have become a ‘throwaway’ culture, where furniture/fashion is poorly crafted and disposable. The Carson House is a place dedicated to extending the life of a well-crafted piece, well past one owner - better for our planet and our pocketbook.
The ‘why’ is emotive – it allows your customers/staff an opportunity to align their values with yours…it makes them think, and in many cases elicits behaviour.
#2: Treat your staff equal to or better than your customers. Your staff are an extension of you and the face of the business. Whether it be pay equity, transparency to the numbers, or collaboration of ideas – ask and expect your team to think like they own the business. Ask them to challenge you and the systems they work within every single day.
#3: Always be evolving and improving your processes & systems to ensure they may your people look good. A bad system will beat a good person every time (W. Edward Deming). Meaning… evolve the systems your people rely on so that success is built in. It will enhance their customer service and build employee loyalty.
#4: Stay curious – always be asking questions– of your customers, your team, your mentors, and the people in your network.
#5: Surround yourself with people you have a common future with vs. a common past. Rub elbows with those who have dreams, goals, and values that are aligned to yours.
#6: Block time for giving back to your community. Time invested will build bonds, unity and keep you connected to the place you call home and run your business.
#7: Be aware of the time you are working ‘on’ your business vs. ‘in’ your business. This is totally dependent on where you are in your business’s life cycle, but try to outsource, delegate, and automate as ways to build efficiency, empower your people, and free your time up for growing your business.
#8: Like all the amazing women that have paved the way before us, advocate for yourself and take comfort in being a disruptor. Link arms with like-minded individuals who see the value in progress. Try your best to remain focused on solutions that are aligned to your values. Ask for help when you need it.
#9: Love what you do…if you don’t…be strategic, courageous, and then lean in. Enjoy the journey my friends.
With much gratitude, Michelle
