The Road to FRAE 2.o

Hi Frae Fans -

If you've been following along with the Frae Everyday Goods journey, you'll know that our mission is to bring back the neighborhood corner store with a curated inventory of local and sustainable products. 

The best thing about the neighborhood corner store is... that it is CONVENIENT! Which means, we've always envisioned multiple locations to better service our community and to give our vendors multiple outlets to distribute their products. 

We opened our first brick and mortar location in June of 2022. Originally, we envisioned assessing our potential for expansion at year three. We thought - "If we're doing well, let's start working towards another location in 2025." 

That was the plan. 

But then in March of 2024 (you know there is always a "but then") the Downtown Billings Association announced that they would be launching a pitch competition called "Battle of the Plans" where small businesses compete to win up to $40,000 in reimbursable grant funding to launch a start up or expand their existing business.

Pitch our business idea to win money? SIGN ME UP. Throw out that old timeline!

My husband will tell you that he saw a look on my face when we went to the packet pickup event at Big Sky Economic Development/Rock 31 and right then and there, he knew that this expansion was going to happen... knew that I was going to MAKE it happen. I guess after fifteen years, you start recognizing patterns in your partner :)

Let me tell you a story about his bike shop some time... anywhoooo

I spent the summer of 2o24 attending classes and workshops and in early August, I pitched our plan at Art House Theatre to a panel of judges. Think "Shark Tank" style - present your idea and answer questions from the panel. 

Then we wait. The panel deliberates.

And a few weeks later, we find out that we WON the pitch! But we can't tell anyone... for two more weeks?! If you know me, you know this was TORTURE but after the awards ceremony, we can announce OUR BIG WIN to our friends, foes, followers, and fans. 

We shout if from the roof tops and people are excited! Really excited. Like, want this to happen tomorrow sort of excited... YIKES.

Oh, and by the way - we have to start using the grant within 6 months aaaaand it can only be used at our downtown location (we knew all of this when we signed up to compete btw) - now it's HUSTLE TIME.

We start the search to find some extra money to pay for the things that the grant isn't eligible for (staffing, inventory, etc.) Oh... you didn't think it was a suit case full of cash did you?

No, no, no. Our grant winnings are reimbursable from a TIF fund (tax increment finance funds) which means we can only use it for expenses like electrical, plumbing, facade restoration, signage - community improvement type things... and we have to spend the money first and get reimbursed for the expenses later - 

So begrudgingly, we go to the bank.

One bank says flat out "No."

And one tells us "Sure! Just leverage your home and cars!"

Another one says "Possibly. But only if your parents can co-sign and they can leverage your families 5th generation ranch acreage!"

And to all of those responses... we kindly said -

"WHAT THE F**K?! Pound sand. No way on Gods Green Earth are we sacrificing the security of our family to grow our business. Thanks, but no thanks."

Feeling extra defeated, but still slightly motivated, we HUSTLED through the holiday season in our lil' West End shop and hosted pop up shops in Downtown Billings with over 30 local vendors and artists. We tried every possible idea and event to get our 2024 year end numbers to pop so we can go back to the bank looking shiny in the New Year. 

And you know what happened?

Our holiday season KICKED ASS. The year end numbers looked nice enough that a great bank finally said YES to a loan that has a decent interest rate and leverages ONLY THE ASSETS FROM OUR CURRENT BUSINESS.

We have signed the lease on a killer space. Staffing is falling into place to build a really great team with a variety of skill sets. We found a salvaged bulk foods dispenser in great shape on FB Marketplace and the paint we chose for the walls was ON SALE - the stars are really aligning! 

I share this story not to brag or boast about where we are currently with our business. This is a strange time in the world and an extra tricky time to be a business owner. The struggle is REAL for the brick and mortar storefront. There isn't a minute that goes by where I don't remember that the wheels could fall off this whole thing at any minute - 

I share my story of business growth to encourage you to KEEP GOING. 

If you're working towards a goal and you get a 'NO' or something pushes you past a boundary you're not willing to cross - absolutely take a minute to catch your breath but KEEP f'ng GOING! DO NOT QUIT on anyone else's terms! If you decide on your own that it makes sense to walk away from a goal, that's a different story entirely.

During this whole expansion concept process, people would ask how things were going and my response often times would be "Well, I used to be running at it like a freight train but now I'm just kinda walking towards it in my bare feet." 

Keep walking towards your goal and the 'YES' will show up - in one way or another.

Even if you're not wearing any shoes. 

All that being said - we are beyond excited for the next chapter to begin here at Frae Everyday Goods so - HERE WE GO!

You're going to LOVE what we have up our sleeves for this new space... visit us in Downtown Billings at 116 N 29th beginning in May 2o25...