Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle and Chris Tradewell.
Michelle and Chris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We moved to Galveston, TX in April 2017 from West Texas to live by the beach and get a fresh start. We enjoy seeing new places, trying new things, making new friends, trying different occupations, traveling, etc. We love Galveston and had visited many times over the years before making the move here. We were offered an opportunity in late August 2017 to buy and take over Portside and it was an offer we couldn’t refuse. We are first time business owners and love it. We have so many changes coming to Portside, slowly but surely. Owning our own business is something we have always talked about and hoped for. We moved here with a plan for amazing changes and to make something happen with a business. We feel so appreciative and happy and look forward to an amazing future.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t personally think being a business owner is a smooth road. You always think about how cool it would be to be your own boss and to have your own business, make your own schedule, etc. but the truth is you are responsible for everything and only have yourself to keep you in line/answer to (well in my case my husband and I) we have each other. It’s just the 2 of us and we have our 15-year old son as well who helps out sometimes. Slow season can definitely be a struggle as well as bad weather such as hurricanes. We have been told you have to do good during the summer in hopes to make it through the winter. We started this business at the end of the busy season and somehow, someway we’re making it through the winter and slow season, thank god. Struggles are everywhere in life but you just have to try to be positive and keep trying.
Please tell us about Portside Bar & Clothing Co..
We are a shop that sells hats, jewelry, women and men’s clothes, as well as, some children shirts and dresses. As well as sunglasses, hair accessories, metal signs, surf board metal signs, star paper lights with LED lights and remotes that are wireless. We also sell wine and beer and non-alcoholic drinks. We have a nice size patio that over looks the 4 streets, we are surrounded by including the cruise terminals. You can see the cruise ships from our place its pretty neat.
Our business is a lot bigger than it looks. We have lots of plans for it. Slowly but surely, we’re making changes. We even plan on changing the name somewhat and to have a variety of things to offer to everyone including shopping, having a bite to eat, a drink, hang out, play games and more. We’re so excited for all the upcoming changes and we think everyone else will be to.
My husband and I take care of everything. We plan on hiring employees before summer starts because we want to be prepared for the busy season and know we’ll need the help. I think what sets us apart from others, is our amazing location with our patio. You can have a drink while you shop with us or while walking around the strand. Not only that, you will eventually be able to do a lot more hopefully by summer.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
We would have waited a little longer to buy the business. We bought at the end of the busy season even though we were given the opportunity to wait. I think it would have been a wiser decision to wait until it was busier, but you know you live and you learn. First time for everything.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2325 Strand
Galveston, Texas 77550 - Phone: 14094972156
- Email: portsidebarandclothingco2017@gmail.com
- Facebook: @portsideonthestrand
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