Dominique Caissie
Terrapin Glassblowing Studio
Hadley Road, Jaffrey
Q. Why did you start your business in the Monadnock region?
A. My family decided to make this our home while I was at Franklin Pierce University. Once this became our community, there was no question of where we would create our business.
Q. What is your experience of doing business in the area?
A. My experience of doing business in the area has been wonderful.
Through volunteering and getting involved, we have made so many connections with other business owners. These amazing relationships have created a deep network of support; we are helping each other to succeed. This positivity is contagious, even to customers, who are drawn to this alluring tight-knit community.
Q. What improvements to the business environment would you recommend, to help businesses in the region succeed?
A. There are three areas in which I would love to see other businesses in our community make improvements:
1. Get online. For anyone who knows me even a bit, you will know that this is how I do a majority of my business. If you are not online, a huge percentage of your potential customer base does not know you exist.
2. Get involved. Not everyone is asking for your money; sometimes they simply just want your input. I know that volunteering a little bit of your precious time seems daunting; I promise that karma will come right back around to your business.
3. Stop seeing each other as competition. Embrace each other’s similarities and differences; collaborate, form partnerships, and understand that success can be shared.