Waterford Small Business Spotlight: Striking Tela

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Striking Tela
• Owner: Betty Davis
• Website: www.strikingtela.com
• Address: 150 Spithead Road, Waterford CT 06385

How did you come up with the name?

I have always liked “Striking” Art. I also enjoy Art on Canvas. Tela (pronounced (teal-yah) means CANVAS in Latin. It also has other meanings, but that is why I chose it. I then researched the name name Tela to discover the numbers associated with the name and found those numbers to be 11 and 2. Those numbers represent my birthday month and day.

What business are you in?

Unique Gift Boutique, Artisan, Handmade. Buyer.

What is the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The most difficult challenge, and there are many, would be getting the word out. I am strong and skillful with social media advertising. I take advantage of all the social media forums that are free, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Likes, etc;. When the time came to establish a store front, getting the public to visit is what I find most difficult. It could be because I am in a residential neighborhood, yet, I am very visible. People may feel a bit awkward about entering a private driveway, or backing out onto a busy street. But! the solution is to park on the adjacent street, “Stone Street”, and take a very short walk over. Convincing people to just stop in, is definitely the most difficult.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

My proudest achievement has been watching all of my visions come to life. From the smallest details to the more larger ones. Running a business solely on your own, taxes, creating, emails, advertising, taking pictures, creating videos, staying in touch with my customers and potential customers, people are amazed as to have far I have come and wonder how I do it all and still manage to take care of my family and life’s responsibilities, I just run on Dunkin, (insert laugh), and am blessed with an amazing amount of energy!!

How does your business give back to the community?

Striking Tela just starting out is very interested in helping and donating. I have a strong passion for the homeless and that is my goal, to find a foundation that shares in that goal in order to help these people who have found themselves, along with their families, living on the streets. I keep up with community charitable events. I donate for raffles, and I will be seeking each year, 1 child that is in need of help for schooling, medical, sports, arts, etc; to help support. The public can help by supporting Striking Tela and a percentage of those proceeds will surely go DIRECTLY to the source in need of help. There will not be third parties involved. I am very weary of scams and have zero tolerance with such things. I am here to establish a business in town, give back and will also continue to push forward and bring forward, the unique gifts, and artisan creations that are affordable. I am also a member of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.