Staying Motivated with Millie

By Bob Cox

Of all the people I’ve worked with over the last 25 years, no one has been more genuinely upbeat, cheerful and optimistic than Millie Finch, the owner of Trends-n-Treats, now located in Folsom, CA. That’s probably why I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her. I met Millie eight years ago during one of the worst recessions in our country’s history and despite all those tough times, Millie always found a way to stay strong and positive. I got a chance to visit with Millie the other day to learn more about how she manages to stay so bright and bubbly, even in the worst of times.

Q: What's your secret to staying so positive and upbeat?

A: There are so many reasons to be cheerful and remain optimistic! The years during the Great Recession were some of the toughest times for many of us, especially financially. I like to fill my heart and mind with positive things like encouraging quotes. A good one by Ralph Waldo Emerson is: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”

Q: Why do you think it is important for business owners to stay strong mentally and have a good attitude?

A: People are depending on us! Keeping a positive attitude and outlook is critical. We must stay mentally strong to battle our greatest enemies: fear and doubt. Suffering is no walk in the park and often the outcome isn’t what we hoped for. However, think about all there is to gain when we’re challenged, especially all the positive attributes and character traits we acquire from our struggles! We can reflect on the kind souls who supported us and helped us get back on track again.

Q: What are your personal goals for this year?

A: I plan to get stronger and win my personal battle against fear and doubt, to forgive completely and focus on the good in the world and the good that can be found in the hearts of others. Bob, I am so grateful for all the encouragement I receive from my daughters, my staff, our customers and our wonderful community. I also appreciate all my friends, like you, Diana and all our customers, furry and non.

Q: Why did you decide to open a pet store?

A: I love animals and love working with the public. It’s a tremendous blessing to have the privilege to work with my two daughters Brianna & Rachelle. Our locally owned and operated business is the perfect fit for us!

Q: What do your customers love most about Trends-n-Treats?

A: Trends-n-Treats is a locally owned and operated business with a team of staff who truly care about our customers, furry and non! We listen to our customers and assess their needs. We do our best to meet our customer’s needs according to their budget; what’s practical and convenient for them. We offer free samples to help assure that their dogs and cats actually like the products.

Q: You moved your store recently. Can you tell us about the new location?

A: We’re now located in the Folsom Pavilions Center at the corner of Folsom-Auburn Road & Greenback Lane (Next to European Sleep Design.) I honestly feel my store is located in the most beautiful and convenient location in the greater Sacramento area! We’re surrounded by mature neighborhoods and the American River Canyon. We’re near local dog parks and across the street from the American River Parkway. It’s a great privilege to have access to these great natural resources! We’ve received lots of compliments on our beautiful new location and our customers should enjoy the wide variety of shopping experiences, including great restaurants and interesting shops. We could not be more excited to be here!

Q: With more retail space, are you offering more products and services?

A: Yes. We’re streamlining our products to speak more to our beliefs of quality sourcing, manufacturing and pure intent. We’re invested in helping our customers find that individual golden path to wellness for their pet(s); any age and breed. We’re also excited to announce a home delivery service and will continue to offer low-cost immunization clinics on the first Saturday of every month from 1-2pm.

Q: I have a senior pet and am concerned that I’m not addressing her changing needs as well as I could be. Do you carry specific products for the needs of aging pets?

A: The aging process is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it is a beautiful gift and an honor of sorts. Here at T-N-T, we want to help you help your senior pets age with grace and dignity and have stocked our shelves with the necessary products to do so…everything from moisture rich foods with highly digestible proteins, to the cleanest and purest sources of supplements to aid in digestive support, urinary tract health, joint support, oral health, overall immune health and much more. I highly recommend to anyone interested in learning about optimal pet health to come to Trends-n-Treats free seminar on Thursday June 2, 2016 at 7pm and hear Dr. Angie Stamm, D.V.M. share important information on this subject.  

 Editors notes: Trends-n-Treats is located at 6606 Folsom-Auburn Road, Suite 2 in the Folsom Pavilions Center in Folsom, CA (Next to European Sleep Design). Their phone number is (916) 536-0000 and their website is www.trendsntreats.com.

The Value of Supporting Local Businesses

By Bob Cox

The creation of the internet has been an amazing technological advancement for society. With the click of a button, we have instant access to information that adults back-in-the-day would tell us nosy little brats, I mean darling young children like me to either look it up in a dictionary, encyclopedia or peddle our fat little fannies down to the local library. Rather than resort to such “extremes”, I took great joy in making up stuff that sounded reasonable in my convoluted little mind. I guess that’s how I landed my current job as publisher of this fine magazine!

The ease of access to gobs of information is of course just one of the many things the internet provides to the masses. Another is the convenience of shopping online and having products delivered to our front door, oftentimes at a savings over conventional retail shopping. That convenience does come at a cost, not only to ourselves but to our local community as well.

Every dollar we spend outside our neighborhood represents one less dollar for local businesses to hire more help or simply survive. It’s no great secret that many businesses have moved out of our beautiful state as California has become an increasingly hostile environment to do business in. Texas Governor Rick Perry hasn't exactly been shy about poaching large businesses from California by pitching them on why his state is a great place to do business in. Over the past 23 years, I’ve heard thousands of local business owners complain about the escalation of clever fees, tax hikes and costly imposed improvements that squeeze away their shrinking profits like a financial vise.

With all the challenges that we have faced not so long ago during the Great Recession, I totally understand the value and importance of making every dollar stretch, so when the savings from buying on-line is substantial, it can be very difficult to rationalize buying local. On the other hand; if the savings is relatively small while the benefits to our community is obviously great, it makes perfect sense to resist the temptation to push the computer tab that adds it to the shopping cart.

I spoke with my good friend and local business owner Millie Finch (Owner of Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply-Spa-Boutique in Fair Oaks) the other day about the subject of supporting local businesses. Here’s how our conversation went.

Q: Why do you think it’s important for our community to support local businesses?

A: Supporting locally owned businesses can help prevent national chains from monopolizing the market, and help maintain the character and closeness of a community like ours, that so many of us enjoy and consider a privilege being a part of. It’s a really good feeling knowing you are making a difference by shopping at locally owned small businesses’.

Q: Does supporting local businesses improve our local economy?

A: Yes it does. The money spent at locally owned businesses often stays within the community and helps create and provide job opportunities to help stabilize a thriving business community.

Q: Should consumers expect friendlier and more attentive service from locally owned businesses?

A: They sure can at Trends-n-Treats! That’s one of the most distinguishing differences and draw of our small locally owned business compared to a corporate box store shopping experience. Corporate policy often doesn't allow their employees to provide the one-on-on service; therefore, employees may not have the same enthusiasm and passion to help customers with their needs and questions beyond say, what they can read to a customer that’s printed on the back of the package. At Trends-n-Treats, we have the ability to take the time to listen to our customer’s pet needs and help them with difficult questions, especially in regards to proper pet nutrition, because we have a true passion for what we do and because we can provide answers that are backed by research.

Q: As a local business owner, are you now more inclined to shop with other locally owned businesses?

A: Always have and always will! I love the friendly, personal service and the consistency of seeing the same faces who know me and my family. I also appreciate a store’s ability to custom order outside their current inventory, which is something we do at Trends-n-Treats. Our customers often tell us that our store is one of the few places their pets feel comfortable and excited to visit, because they've come to know our family and can sense how much we truly care about and look forward to seeing them.

Q: What are some of the best ideas you've implemented to network with other locally owned businesses? 

A: Being active in my local chamber of commerce attending & holding business mixers and participating in charitable and other community events. Here’s one example: This month, Trends-n-Treats is participating along with other local business owners to bring new customers into each of our business’ by donating to the HUGE Go-For-It Sweepstakes giveaway that’s going to bless one very lucky winner!

Q: Our magazine was created to motivate and inspire our readers to break through fears and self-limiting beliefs to live an extraordinary life. What have been the greatest fears you've faced, either in your personal life or in business and how have you overcome them? 

A: Greatest personal fears...health issues, finances and loss for both me and my family. Business wise; a few years back, our store Trends-n-Treats was located inside another shopping center. We had been there four years when a large corporation moved one of their pet boutique stores in next to us. We were in the midst of a downward economy and although we gave it all we had, there was no way for our family business to survive next to the big guys. All of my eggs in one basket, so to speak, with my family, my staff and my own livelihood at stake, I became filled with fear! With support of our local business community and our customers, I put on the shield of faith and entered into major survival mode! On a wing and a prayer, we moved Trends-n-Treats to a brand new location. I gained so much from that experience both personally and business wise.

Q: What are the greatest joys and challenges of owning a family run business? How have you dealt with the challenges?

A: I opened my business to provide a future for my family. It brings great joy to my heart knowing everyday I get to wake up and work alongside the people I love the most and get to spend time with even in a working environment. One of the greatest challenges stems from the same seed. Not every second of the day does every family member see eye to eye regarding the decisions made, but at the end of the day we’re all family and look past our differences, making sure we keep the support strong for each other and for the business.

Q: With the holiday season in full swing, what are some great gifts to give to people that love their pets?

A: Breed specific items, especially for dog lovers such as shirts, socks, jewelry, plaques, cards, magnets, note pads, aromatherapy pet candles and so on! For Cat lovers the same, plus laser toys, unique bat around feather wands, toy mice etc. would be purrrrrfect. Trends-n-Treats is proud to carry unique and locally made cat trees, pet collars, beds, soft and tough pet toys and so much more! When you visit friends and family, remember to bring gifts for their pets such as cat nip for the cats or healthy chews and specialty treats for the doggies!