We had the good fortune of connecting with Care Verikas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Care, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have to admit that I think about risk in a very different way than I used to. If someone had asked me this question about 2 years ago, I would have said that I am not a risky person and that I like to be able to predict what is going to happen in my life. Now, being the co-founder of two businesses, I lead a life that is the exact opposite. Risk is exactly what has brought my husband, Eric, and I to where we are now. Do we lose a little more sleep than we used to – yes. Do we work harder than we ever did at our full time jobs previously – Mhm. We live and breathe risk just to make sure we can keep growing the businesses to their fullest potential. But not once have we said to one another that we would want to go back to the low or no risk lifestyle we had previously.

Being a small business owner is all about the hustle, grind and risk. We started out small when Eric left his full time job. The risk was lower because I was still working. After a few months, it was time to make the biggest decision I ever had but I jumped in with two feet. As someone who is a planner and likes to know everything, it took me weeks to make the decision to leave that all behind. I chose to leave my full time marketing job and join my husband with our first business venture – Dusty Dude Woodworks. We never know what each day will be like when we wake up in the morning but I assure you, that risk has pushed us (on the good and bad days) us to grow to our full potential.

Now we are in the midst of launching our second business. We are extremely fortunate to have received ARPA Grant funding from the City of Bristol here in Connecticut to build The Bristol Bazaar. Even with grant funding, the risk is still there. Not only do we have one, but now two businesses and it’s all thanks to risk. I am not saying everyone should go and take risks but for those who are already or who are looking to become a small business owner – just know that it comes with the territory and it will push you to be the best you can be in ways you can’t even imagine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The Bristol Bazaar is a brand new small business that we are building in Bristol, CT. It is a 5,800 square foot makers market with a coffee/cocktail lounge and a dedicated class/event/meeting space. There are a good number of maker spaces as well as markets, fairs and flea markets throughout Connecticut BUT there isn’t anything like what we are building. In addition to supporting up to 40 artisans selling their handmade products, we are also big believers in education. Included in our maker’s rent will be their vending space as well as: access to our Think Tank (conference room), networking events for makers and a speaker series every month that will tackle different topics like small. business marketing, podcasting and more! We saw a similar concept out west but brought it to the east coast and added our own flair! When a customer walks in they will feel like they’re shopping outside in a park but instead they will be inside and protected from the elements. The experience as a whole is truly going to be one of a kind and we hope that customers will keep coming back. Wether it be to support small businesses, grab a coffee (maybe a cocktail) or to take a class and learn something new.

Care has 10 years of marketing experience and Eric has 8 years of carpentry experience. Together, we have 2 years of experience being small business owners with many more ahead. To get where we are is definitely not something that I would describe as easy. We have and continue to work hard so that we can continue to grow both of our businesses. We have made it to where we are today with a lot of family and friends who have believed in us and a community that continues to support us more and more. There are days, weeks and months that make us question if we are doing things the right way but our network is truly what keeps us moving forward.

When all is said and done, we want the world to know that we are here to stay. With our two businesses we feel that we’re making a difference. Whether it’s helping build a piece of furniture that will get passed down from generation to generation or lending a hand to a side hustler who isn’t sure what to do next to get become a full hustler (like we did) – everything we do, every day, is to make a difference.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Bristol, Connecticut is truly an amazing city! There are so many different things to do, so that make’s it easy to list some here:

Food:

Bakery on Maple – Pastries, specialty cakes and more!
Parkside Cafe – Breakfast and Lunch!
Heavenly Smoke BBQ – Food Truck
The Bristol Bazaar – Coffee/Cocktail Lounge (Coming 2023!)
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant

Entertainment:
The Bristol Bazaar (coming 2023!)
Lake Compounce
New England Carousel Museum
Clock & Watch Museum
Imagine Nation
Muzzy Field
Page park

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This shoutout is very special to Eric and I. We wouldn’t be where we are without the true help of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. Cindy Bombard, President & CEO and Katie D’Agostino, Vice President have stood by us from day 1 of joining the chamber as Dusty Dude Woodworks but with The Bristol Bazaar, they truly knocked it out of the park. These two amazing women and their growing team truly define what a Chamber of Commerce is about.

Not only did the chamber tell us about the grant funding opportunity but they helped us through every single step of the process. We want to thank Cindy & Katie from the bottom of our hearts.

Website: https://www.thebristolbazaar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebristolbazaarct/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBristolBazaarCT/

Image Credits
Shelby ann Designs

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