This week we are featuring the story of one of our successful Downtown Pioneers, Lisa Applegate and Studio 36.
When we ask entrepreneurs to share how they got started, most of them have a similar story; something in their life took a hard left and forced them to take the leap of faith to do what they wanted to do for a career. Lisa Applegate, owner of Studio 36 Bead Shop shares that same story.
Meet Lisa Applegate, one of the owners of the Studio 36 Bead Shop. She had been working in the corporate world for 30+ years, when she was offered another position which provided more money. She decided to take it and soon realized…it just wasn’t for her and life is too short to not do what you love.
Lisa had been creating jewelry for almost 20 years when she began painting Lucite flowers with such detail you find yourself slowly moving it around on your hand admiring the color combinations. It took her three years to master this eight step technique. She found herself loving this “hobby”.
As her talent continued to grow, she decided (with the nudging of her husband, Jack) to start doing trade shows. She was content with this little side hustle, but Jack saw more. After some continued success with the trade shows, Jack suggested that she open a shop of her own to teach classes and sell products. Lisa said – “No”.
But Jack was onto something…he continued to push her to open her own place. She had never done this before and had no idea where to begin. With some more persistence from Jack, she finally agreed to look into the process of starting your own business.
She reached out to SCORE, learned where to begin and said yes. A new bead shop was about to be born.
Please don’t get stuck on the words ‘bead shop’. While she carries an enormous variety of beads this shop is so much more. As you enter, you’ll see containers of beads, strings of beads and every accessory you’ll need to create any style of jewelry you’d like! However – as you stroll toward the back, the atmosphere changes to a gift shop. You’ll find soaps, clothes, candles, teas, home décor, wind chimes, signs and the coolest steampunk style lamps! These lamps are made by Jack. He finds old pieces and parts of cars, tools, cameras, oil pumps, you name it and wires them to become lamps. My favorite one is the tire pump where he used a large Eddison bulb to make it look like a balloon on the end of the hose.
Lisa attends trade shows to find the vendors and artists she wants to add to her shop. She also offers classes for you to make your own. You can schedule a party with your friends, BYOB with snacks and walk out with a new custom piece.
When you go to the website. (studio36beadshop.com) you’ll see what classes area available , what the product is for easch class as as how to book online. She also holds events. These are listed on the same page as the website.
Lisa has two sons and one grandchild. You usually see Noah scooting through the shop on the way out the door to play, helping her around the shop or taking Lily out for a walk.
When you interact with Lisa, you can see the passion she has for her shop. Her personality shines as she describes what she does and how much she enjoys interacting with her customers.
When I asked her why she picked Pottstown, she shared how her husband was transferred to Oaks for his job. They drove around different places trying to decide where to live and there was ‘just something about Pottstown’ that caught her eye. The flags, the flowers, along the sidewalks, the clean streets, it just ‘sucked us in’.
She saw the pride of the community and wanted to be a part of it. She has been at the location for two and a half years.
When you need a unique gift or want to create your own style of jewelry, you’ll find it right here in Pottstown in the sweet little shop. Stop in often as the inventory changes frequently.
Their motto is: Enter a s strangers, leave as friends.
SUMMER HOURS
Sunday – 11-4
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – 11-4
Thursday – 11-7
Friday – 11-4
Saturday – 11-4