Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Carnahan
Hi Jennifer , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Adopted from South Korea at five months old, I was raised by parents who instilled in me the values of hard work, initiative, strong morals, and a growth mindset. They taught me that with these qualities, I could achieve anything I set my mind to.
I enjoyed a successful 15-year career climbing the Fortune 500 ladder in marketing and strategy, working with renowned companies such as General Mills, McDonald’s Corporation, and Ecolab. However, in 2014, I decided to leave the corporate world and chase a dream. This led to the opening of Primrose Park, a specialty women’s clothing store.
As an avid traveler who frequently explores the world and has lived across the U.S., I wanted to bring unique trends, styles, and fashions to my home state of Minnesota. My goal was to ensure that women here could look and feel their best, no matter the occasion.
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?
I often get asked this question, and my answer to aspiring or new start-up entrepreneurs is that nothing ever comes easy. With commitment, focus, dedication, and following through on your vision, even with bumps in the road, your dream can become a reality.
For me, having never owned a retail store before, there was a lot to learn. From buying merchandise and finding the right vendors to determining the right product and price mix, the learning curve was steep. I had to make crucial decisions, like transforming a white box space into a beautiful storefront and ensuring my business plan, operations, and marketing were solid and impactful.
Early on, I made some missteps, but I believe these mistakes helped strengthen the business. You are always learning and growing throughout the process, and these experiences are invaluable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Primrose Park is a specialty women’s retail clothing store offering a mix of casual staples and stylish trends to ensure women feel and look their best every day. The Primrose Park customer ranges from the age of teen to retiree. We pride ourselves on carefully curating a collection with items not readily available in the Upper Midwest. We believe in positivity, encouragement and inspiring those around us in everything we do and present in our business.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important thing I’ve learned along the way is to trust your gut instinct. It’s always good to have advisors or trusted mentors around who you can bounce ideas off of for a different perspective, but trusting in your own judgement and yourself at the end of the day is the most important.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://primroseparkmpls.com
- Instagram: primroseparkmpls
- Facebook: primroseparkmpls
