Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Wilson.
Hi Liza, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never wanted to be a business owner! I thought I would never be able to do something like that. I thought that running a business was boring and was all about numbers (which I’m not good at). I never thought that a person could be absolutely inspired and almost *have* to start a business because of it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had almost zero experience with customer service. I had no idea what customers were going to be like! I didn’t know how to talk to them, so I mostly did what I like in customer service, which is to be left alone! The customers didn’t like that at all, and they let me know! I didn’t expect to get negative online reviews and it really upset me when I did. I didn’t realize that some people are just complainers and can’t be pleased no matter what. I think that was the very hardest part.
But the things that were very smooth for me were marketing (somehow I had innate sense of how to do it), putting on special events, starting a preschool, curating a great selection of toys, and doing child care. I had a good amount of experience with all of those things, except for marketing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Toybrary is not just a toy library. We do so much more! We have classes for kids, holiday parties, drop off child care, parents’ night out, a preschool, a playground, parenting classes, and we rent space to other businesses. I am always open to trying out new things, and welcome ideas and opportunities to work with other businesses.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Fulfilling a purpose in my life. I believe that overconsumption is really bad for kids. I believe that people should share resources rather than spending tons of money on new things all of the time. I believe in not stuffing landfills with plastic. I believe that children need lots of different types of input to learn. I believe that kids should mostly not be using screens. I believe in old fashioned play. Working on the mission to improve parents and kids’ lives, as well as the life of the planet, brings me great satisfaction. Not having a boss also brings be great satisfaction! Apart from that, having a great family and friends makes me happy, traveling, cooking, and learning make me happy too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://toybraryaustin.com/little-bears/
- Email: info@toybraryaustin.com
- Instagram: @toybraryaustin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToybraryAustin
- Other: 512-434-3927
Image Credits
John Kniss
