The Localist’s showrunner Michelle Phillips joins Carrie on the podcast this week to dive into Carrie’s transition from corporate life to being a small business owner. Carrie describes the process of opening Church Street Coffee and Books, from merely being part of an idea to being fully on board. Both Carrie and her business partner had a lot of experience in their respective fields before opening the shop, and they crafted a business plan to reflect that and gain the confidence of potential  investors. Carrie tells us more about how they got funding for the shop and how important it is to have good documentation for any business partnership. Carrie and Michelle then talk personal finances: They discuss Carrie’s financial situation when opening the store, the impact on her personal spending habits, and the boundaries she already had in place involving money. They wrap up the conversation with what Carrie loved about being her own boss, and reminisce about the early days of Church Street. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Infomedia 

Church Street Coffee and Books 

Southern Living

Southern Progress

Jonathan Benton, Bookseller

The Girl’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business

Seguro Insurance Johnny Creel