Paulette Still finds footing in flower design business with guidance from the CWE's Kauffman FastTrac New Venture program

After enjoying a successful career in the corporate world for 20 years, Paulette Still decided to follow her true passions and allow her creative side to thrive. "I had to pull the rug–a corporate career–out from under me to make sure that dream came true," says Paulette.

Looking for a way to jump–start her flower design business Urban Gypsy, Paulette welcomed the support offered by Center for Women's Entrepreneurship's (CWE) Kauffman FastTrac® New Venture™ program. Designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development, FastTrac NewVenture offers participants the chance to save time and money by testing the feasibility of their business concept and form relationships with other entrepreneurs who can offer their support and advice.

"Twelve years ago, my husband and I left Point Breeze to buy a pre–Civil War home in Polish Hill," says Paulette. "Living in Polish Hill, there hasn't been a retail presence here for 40 years. I wanted to invest in the community, play a role in bringing back business to the neighborhood." She adds that Polish Hill is a city neighborhood without much of a retail presence or foot traffic, so growing her business would present both opportunities and challenges.

"The Urban Gypsy is a chic bohemian floral shop," says Paulette. "We are not your average floral shop. You won't come in here and see teddy bears or balloons. We do flowers mainly for weddings, events, and gifts. We don't just do flowers here. We have antiques. We have artisan jewelry. We have one-of-a-kind items. 'An eclectic little flower shop' is what I call it."

With the challenge of growing Urban Gypsy into a booming business in a relatively unknown part of town, her decision to enroll in the Kauffman FastTrac program was one of the best investments that she's made for her business thus far, she says.

According to the Kauffman Foundation, more 300,000 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs have found success through the proven, practical benefits of FastTrac's award-winning entrepreneurial learning programs.

Paulette was most appreciative of the camaraderie that she found in the program. "I couldn't wait to get to class," she says. "I didn't want it to end."

During the course of the program, Paulette found herself being asked questions that she may not have ever asked herself, she says. "I became very comfortable verbalizing my fears and the strife that I've encountered opening my business. It was invaluable in that way."

In addition to the camaraderie and networking, Paulette found the variety of speakers who spoke to her NewVenture class about protecting their businesses to be invaluable. She also appreciated the validation that she knew what she was doing. "Sometimes you need that validation," she says.

"I work as hard, if not harder, than I did at my previous career. But I am so happy! And I have that work/life balance that I really needed."

Not only does Paulette get to make her own schedule, instead of working under the florescent lights of the corporate world, gorgeous flowers surround her all day. "Working with flowers and the beautiful items in my shop, I lose all track of time," she says. "It's therapeutic and fulfilling in many ways."

"Paulette took a huge risk when she left a comfortable corporate job to become an entrepreneur," says Rebecca Harris, director of the CWE. "But it is this type of risk that is a benchmark of a true entrepreneur. Stepping outside your comfort zone, following your passion. And at the CWE we provide a secure and supportive environment for women to grow and develop their passions and make sure that a strong and stable business plan guides her development. Paulette is an example to all women who have thought about leaving their careers behind in order to follow their dreams–we are so proud of her."

Paulette says her customers are primarily college-educated females on the hunt for unique items. "She's not your typical big box store shopper."

She also caters to brides looking for "something a little different," she says. "They don't necessarily want what the bridal magazines are telling them they must have."

Urban Gypsy, which opened in April 2010, is now in its growth stage. "I told everyone the first year was the journey–and the second year will be an adventure. We are taking more risks and jumping off more cliffs. Getting people to know who we are and continuing to spread our wings–that's what we want to do this year.