Business Visit (11/17/25): Milkmaid Creations and Antiques

Yesterday morning, the CEO students had the opportunity to visit me at my business for a behind-the-scenes look at my entrepreneurial journey. I shared how the business began in Missouri with my mother, and how, after moving to Vienna, I eventually purchased my own store building—one that has been a project in more ways than one! Students enjoyed seeing a “before” photo of the building and learning about its history as a former drug store.

Inside the shop, I showed them a picture from the day I first opened, highlighting its humble beginnings and how much our inventory and operations have grown over the years.

We also discussed the importance of tracking key business metrics like foot traffic, customer conversion, and average order value, as well as how outside factors—special events, weather, and more—can impact daily performance. By analyzing this data, I’m able to understand consumer behavior, evaluate marketing strategies, and ultimately better serve our customers.

It was a fun and meaningful morning, and I loved sharing a different side of my story while answering their thoughtful questions!

#CEOClass #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessJourney #ViennaIL #LocalBusiness #StudentLearning #BusinessEducation #BehindTheScenes #ShopLocal