Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Griffiths.
Hi Christina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up as a shy girl in a small town in Garland, Utah, I never imagined I’d become a successful business owner one day. I graduated from Bear River High School and moved to Logan to attend Utah State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, laying the foundation for my future success. My path took a remarkable turn when I worked at Aggie Ice Cream, where I was promoted to shift lead and then assistant manager, and I absolutely loved my job! After getting married, my husband and I decided to expand our horizons and moved to Las Vegas, where I took on a supervisor role at a retail store, unlocking new opportunities. This experience ultimately led me to a job at a pediatric therapy clinic, where I was promoted to various departments and became the HR specialist, gaining invaluable experience and confidence. Although I faced challenges, including a move back to Utah for my safety after a divorce from a 12 year marriage, I remained resilient and determined. I returned to Utah to be with my family, fortunate to have a job that allowed me to work from home. I later got remarried and my husband and I moved to Tremonton, Utah. We recognized a need for affordable shopping experiences and decided to open a thrift shop because we both grew up going to yard sales/swap meets. The Caring Heart, a name and logo inspired by a dream I had, My husband wasn’t initially sold on the name, but we added ‘Thrift Shop and Donation Center’ to make it more manly as he put it. I worked tirelessly to collect inventory, and I used my HR experience to handle the legal side of the business. We faced challenges, including finding the right location. We went looking around and found a local granite shop had just moved to their location who said we could rent half of their location for a few months until we find our own space. I was laid off from the pediatric therapy clinic due to them wanting me to go back into the office which I couldn’t do since I lived out of state. The thrift shop then became my priority.
We then found a big storage unit that we moved everything into. It was huge and everything but it was not meant for being a retail store and it was really cold in that space since it was winter when we moved into it and there was no insulation. We tried to make that space work for a while until we were able to finally find not just one but two retail spaces that we decided to rent that were just down the street from each other. This turned into us having the big storage unit which we called the furniture warehouse, and then we had the smaller store which had three levels that I turned into my treasure store which consisted of vintage, antiques, a wedding shop, a man cave, and I was trying to create an area upstairs, where people could rent it out for parties/events. It was also where I had a little café that I called “The Hearts A’ Flutter Cafe” where I served prepackaged goods, as well as coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and lemonade. I went and found different pieces of furniture and accents to decorate the store to make the ambience, welcoming and cozy. The last location became our superstore which contained everything else that the other 2 locations didn’t take. We then were offered a new opportunity from the same owners of our buildings to open a store in an old Kings building in Montpelier, Idaho. I really wasn’t set on this as we were struggling with the three businesses we did have but we took the opportunity anyway. Three stores plus another we were creating proved to be overwhelming, and we had to close our treasures store and soon after our furniture warehouse and combine them with the superstore. After navigating challenges, including another divorce, I emerged stronger and more determined than ever. I took over the Tremonton store, implementing my ideas and creating a welcoming atmosphere, empowering me to make a meaningful impact in my community. I am now grateful to have found a supportive partner, Shadrach, who shares my vision and passion for giving back. Together, we run the store, collaborating on ideas and elevating each other’s dreams. Our store has become a beacon of hope, donating to homeless and animal shelters, supporting local nonprofits, and providing a mini food pantry for those in need. Through my journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons, grown as a person, and discovered the power of resilience and determination. I am proud to be a small-town business owner, making a positive impact on my community and inspiring others to do the same.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Although my journey has been marked by numerous challenges, I remain convinced that any path that presents obstacles is a journey worth undertaking, as it ultimately leads to significant rewards. Throughout my journey, I have faced challenges ranging from securing a location, navigating a second divorce, addressing debt, overcoming feeling like a failure, and coping with constant criticism
on Facebook. Despite these obstacles, I have gained valuable insights and developed the resilience to confront future challenges with poise and determination.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a small town thrift shop and donation center. We love being a part of the community and supporting other local businesses. We take donations and help give back by offering affordable pricing and donating to those in need such as homeless or pet shelters, and those facing life’s greatest challenges. We help by giving locally, statewide and throughout the nation through several charities and organizations while also looking for more opportunities to do the same and more.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Patience, empathy, optimism, desire to help others, perseverance or a “never-give-up” mentality despite those fighting against you.
My passion, a strong desire to improve, and the ability to adapt and stay calm under pressure have also led to my success.
Pricing:
- $1.00 Books, DVDS, and CDS
- $5.99 and less for all clothing with a few exceptions
- $2.99 or 2 for $4.99 shoes
- All Pricing is Negotiable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thriftshoptremonton.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaringheartthriftshop?igsh=MXI4MHZpaDZnajNhbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19tk2m3emN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
