Proof to Product From the Archives | Heather Haynie & Dani Antol, Rock Paper Scissors on running a brick & mortar shop, dividing responsibilities and how they've overcome personal and business challenges together
We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we’re gone, we’re bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives.
I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group, emails I’ve received from listeners and convos I’ve had with all of you.
We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new!
Heather Haynie and Dani Antol are the owners of Rock Paper Scissors, a custom invitation and paper goods shop in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rock Paper Scissors is the go-to destination for locals and visitors alike looking for laugh-out-loud greeting cards, journals, dec accessories, calendars, planners and modern gifts.
On today’s episode we talk about a wide range of topics including what it takes to run a retail storefront, how they divide responsibilities as business partners and what success looks like for each of them. We also got personal. Dani shares her story of battling cancer. We also discuss how Heather & Dani were able to unify their local community after the hateful rallies in Charlottesville.
ON TODAY’S EPISODE:
- What prompted Heather & Dani to go into business together
- What their day-to-day looks like running a retail storefront
- The custom design side of their business
- The benefits of buying an existing storefront and how they made it their own
- The growth of Rock Paper Scissors over the years
- How Heather & Dani divide responsibilities and how it has changed over the years as they have grown
- The things people should think about before jumping into a business partnership with someone
- Dani’s battle with breast cancer and why she decided to share her story publicly
- How breast cancer changed Dani’s perspective and her motivations
- Heather & Dani’s involvement in the C’ville Heart Project & the purpose behind it
- The things they have accomplished in their business that they are very proud of
- What’s next for Rock Paper Scissors
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
“I'm extremely thankful that we purchased the business because as Dani said, there were so many things that were already in place that were really helpful for us, from the relationships with vendors, as well as relationships with existing clients.” - Heather Haynie
“We trust each other in those roles because we know that that's what we're good at.” - Dani Antol
“One of the greatest benefits [of our partnership] is that we don't have the same strengths.” - Heather Haynie
“I mean, she [Dani] would have chemo and then be sending me proofs. This girl's work ethic is amazing.” - Heather Haynie
“Some really terrible people came to our town and invaded our town and that's something that we always want to be really clear about. They are not Charlottesville and that's not what our town is like at all.” - Heather Haynie
“We've grown our business every year, some years higher percentage than others. But every year we have grown and I'm super proud of that.” - Heather Haynie
“Running a small business is hard and it is time consuming. There's always a million hats that we're wearing, and so I think it's important to remind ourselves that, "No, we set the rules here and we can decide what we do and not do to some extent." We do need to carve out that time for our personal lives.” - Katie Hunt
LINKSWebsite: www.thinkrockpaperscissors.com
Website: www.rpscvilleheart.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinkrockpaperscissors
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rps_cville/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rps_dani/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rps_heather/
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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:
Proof to Product is brought to you by Tradeshow Bootcamp and hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, TSBC has worked with hundreds of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!