Today we’d like to introduce you to Markella Smith.
Hi Markella, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The vision for The Dream Shop begin in 2020, after noticing that there was a need for Entrepreneurs and artists to sell their items year-round without any barriers or limitations! As an artist and entrepreneur myself, I saw that pop-up Events had slowed down due to Covid and BIPOC entrepreneurs and artists seemed to be affected the most. I for one depended on the extra income my side-hustle of making jewelry brought in and knew so many other artists that did as well. After brainstorming for months the vision for a community centered space came together in the form of The Dream Shop, a black owned gift shop featuring locally made items from mostly BIPOC vendors from all over the Twin Cities, with a community event space attached. We opened on August 21st of 2021.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has definitely not been a smooth road but I am a firm believer that every struggle gives you an opportunity to learn. During our planning stage, we ran into quite a few construction setbacks which pushed our Grand Opening to late summer instead of early spring. Effective marketing has been a challenge, especially when faced with a minimal marketing budget, getting the word out to community and our surrounding suburbs can be hard. Also, as a single mother to 3 boys, it has been a struggle to juggle the store operations along with the ever changing needs of 3 children in school during these times of Covid but I am forever thankful for the many family and friends that have helped spread the word about The Dream Shop and who have stepped in to assist when it was needed.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Dream Shop. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Dream Shop features amazing items from local entrepreneurs with an emphasis on BIPOC entrepreneurs and artists from around the Twin Cities. We work with these artists and entrepreneurs on a consignment basis to give them an opportunity to sell their wares year-round in our One Stop Gift Shop! What sets us apart from others is that we keep our fees and our commission rates low so that money is flowing back into the community and back into the hands of these artists, where it belongs. I also believe that our passion for community and bringing back the village is what also sets us apart from the rest. We encourage collaborations and work to provide community focused events that bring people together.
I am most proud of the fact that my children can work in a store that I created, in a neighborhood that I grew up in and also a neighborhood we currently live in. It’s an amazing feeling to create something so beautiful down the street from home.
Our selection is forever changing so please consider shopping with us for your gift-giving needs!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me means having the ability to not only take care of my family and provide opportunities for my children to create and build generational wealth but it’s also having the ability to create and build wealth within my community for my community.
Pricing:
- Motivational Pens – $5 each
- Journals (To record your dreams) $10-$15 each
- Earrings – Range from $10-$20
- Candles – Range from $8 to $22
- Spices – $10 – $12 Each
Contact Info:
- Email: TheDreamShopMpls@gmail.com
- Website: www.TheDreamShopMpls.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheDreamShopMpls
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheDreamShopMpls
