When you walk into Shoppe 561 in West Palm Beach, you know you'll be there for a while. The creative and personalized items are done by artists.
Janelle Lang, a former GAP Inc., executive left the corporate world to open the store more than two years ago.
"Decision making it's great. You're in charge of your own schedule, though it's a lot more hours than you would put in. But it gives you freedom and flexibility and I can really try new things. So if something doesn't work, and I can start a whole new direction if needed and do whatever I feel is best for my business," Lang said.
For Janelle and other business owners, it's a good time to own a small business.
According to a survey of more than 25 hundred small businesses, 61% are doing well. 80% have grown over the past few months.
Compared to larger companies the businesses don't rely as much on exporting goods. They also take advantage of new technology.
"We've just re-launched our online business, so we know that the online channel is huge for us. so we are focusing on that," Lang said.
What started out as a vision for Janelle is now growing. She says there are plans to expand the business. 'It's scary but we are definitely to the point if we don't expand, the business is not going to be profitable to what we desire. So we know that we need a bigger location."
No matter how much the business grows, customers like the home-town feel when in the store.
"I find that there's a lot more atmosphere, it's pleasant shopping in small venues than going to the big box stores," customer Karen Fisher said.
