March Feature: Biltmore Inspirations

My name is Alicia Hatcher and I am a consultant with Biltmore Inspirations.  Biltmore Inspirations is a new party planning business launched in July 2011.  We offer gorgeous table-top products, delicious chef-inspired food, home decor, wine accessories, and artist inspired products.  Everything in our catalog is inspired by the beauty found at Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC.  Biltmore Inspirations holds the same philosophy that George and Edith Vanderbilt believed in when they called Biltmore Estate home.  Biltmore stands for gracious hospitality, amazing design style, and the warm welcoming feeling of being a special guest in the home of good friends.  I love being able to visit with people and introduce them to this amazing company.

Alicia and her Family

I am a stay-at-home mom of three wonderful teenagers, 2 girls and a boy.  I also have a step-daughter, a son-in-law, and in May we will be welcoming our first grandchild!  I have a very full and busy family, my 2 daughters go to 2 different schools and I  am homeschooling my son.  As you can tell, I am not busy at all!  About a year ago I started looking into businesses that I could do from home, but I couldn't find that one thing that said "You belong here!".  My son was in the 5th grade when this search happened.  This is important because he had been assigned a book report, he chose a Magic Treehouse book that was based on Biltmore Estates.  After discovering all the cool things at Biltmore, he decided he wanted to visit.  I signed up for emails to get more information.  In November I opened an email from Biltmore Estates and down at the bottom of the email was a little notation about a new party planning business.  I went to Biltmore Inspirations website, saw the products and knew I had found what I wanted to do.  I sent an email to get more information about becoming a consultant.  Keep in mind, I had never seen their products in person, I hadn't been to a home party in almost 10 years, I was way out of my element but I knew that Biltmore would never put their name on something that wasn't a quality investment.  The next day I received a call from a woman who would become my sponsor.  She was (and still is) amazing.  She answered all my questions, got me even more excited about the business than I already was and helped me get started.  Now I have started my own team and strive to be just as inspiring to them as my sponsor is to me.

1. Who or what is your inspiration?
 Like most mom's would say, it is my kids.  I want to show my girls that they can do anything they put their minds to, but my son also inspires me.  He had been diagnosed at 3 with severe autism and has worked so hard.  Today, aside from being a little socially delayed, you can't tell.  He is the one that showed ME you could do anything you put your mind to.

2. Describe yourself in three words or less. 
Committed, determined, and nervous.

3. What sparked your interest in becoming a business owner? 
I wanted to do something for me.  After 18 years I wanted to be known by my name not just "(husband's) wife" or "(kid's) mom".

4. What advice would you give to a mom just starting her own business? 
Believe in it, make a schedule and stick to it, but most important - have fun.

5. What are some aspects of your business you wish you knew more about?
 Taxes!  In North Carolina I knew about the product and food tax but not the shipping tax.  Thank goodness our website does the math for me!

6. What are your favorite blogs, websites, or networking groups?
I am addicted to pinterest and Facebook but I also like The Small Things Blog, Wake County Business Moms, Raleigh Direct Sales, and of course my own! .

7. What are some challenges you have had to overcome while being a business owner? 
Aside from figuring out taxes, it would be scheduling.  I am homeschooling my son for the first time this year and trying to learn both homeschooling and a new business has definitely been a challenge.

8. What are some tips you have for juggling home life and your business? 
Work from a calender (I actually have 5 and use them all!).  The main one is on the refrigerator and the kids put their activities on it.  They know that if they forget to put something on the calender they don't get to do it.




9. What is your number 1 goal for 2012? 
To catch my son up to a 6th grade level in math.  My family will always come first but if you mean for my business it would be to not be nervous at parties.

10. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with it? 

Take a vacation then put the rest in the bank for the kids college.

11. Can you recall a funny or embarrassing moment you have had being a mom that you now laugh about?
With 3 kids there are so many!  One of my favorites (she is going to be so mad that I am telling this) is when my middle child was maybe 3.  She was in her baby doll styled pj's and walked into the living room with panty liners all over her.  She looked up and said "Look mommy, I'm a mummy!" 

12. Give us one tip about advertising, making sells, or gaining new clients. 
Talk to everyone!  The people at the dentist, doctor, grocery store, fast food places, everywhere there are people you have a potential customer.  You just have to remember not to take the no's personally.  "No" is a no to the product (it may just not be a good time), it is not a "no" to you as a person.


Goodies for WCBM Readers: The first Wake County Business Mom member to book a party in March will receive our new Bamboo cheeseboard FREE. Also, every member who makes a purchase will receive 15% off their order (before tax and shipping). To take advantage of these reader only offers, contact Alicia!
Email: inspirationswithalicia@gmail.com
Phone: (919) 389-3826
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/alicia.hatcher
Website: http://www.facebook.com/InspirationswithAlicia

Great advice from Alicia! You can be featured next by emailing an application to bootsnbucklesphotos@gmail.com.