How do you build a business that not only stands out but also welcomes people? How do you make money without doing something just for the money? These are the kinds of questions we hope to answer in Entrepreneur's new series, “America's Favorite Mom and Pop Shops.”TMSo we teamed up with Walmart Business to visit community-minded entrepreneurs across the country to learn what it takes to build meaningful businesses that last.
In this episode, we travel to Caldwell, Idaho, where Krista Albers and Heath Albers leave their old lives behind and start a business on their own terms. Although the store is called Bond & Bevel, it is both a coffee shop and a leather goods shop, and everything is handmade without compromise, even if it costs a lot of money.
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“Bond Bevel was born out of a desire to do something different without having a boss,” Krista told me. “I think it's always been in my blood to create something, to be an entrepreneur, to make something unique and different.”
Entrepreneurs create things people never thought they needed, but I never knew they needed a coffee and leather goods shop. So how did they come up with this business idea?
“At the beginning of COVID-19, when everything shut down, Heath was a custom home builder,” Krista explained. With business slowing down to its worst and basically stopping completely, Heath felt the need to do something with his time and energy. “He's really bored and not good at being bored at all!”
Heath acquired leather tools, learned how to sew on YouTube, and soon his first bag, The Rugged Satchel, was made. From there, the couple turned to YouTube again to learn how to make coffee. He opened the shop only two weeks ago.
One of the driving forces behind their business operations, Heath says, is to prioritize passion over profit. “Chasing money in anything means losing its essence and soul, and we don't want to do that.”
Heath and Krista's shop has become a local favorite, with customers connecting it with handmade bags, great coffee, and personal travel. But with increased popularity comes the big problem of keeping up with demand.
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They admit they haven't quite figured out the pieces of the small business puzzle yet, but in the meantime, they're content to continue building in-demand products at a pace that keeps them passionate.
Krista and Heath were given a six-month Walmart Business+ membership to help them grow their business more easily. Benefits include free shipping, free delivery (on orders over $35), limited-time offers on products for business owners, and 2 percent off on purchases over $250. They also received his $1,000 e-gift card to use for anything. This is all courtesy of Walmart Business.
As I left the beautiful and unique store, I kept thinking about what Heath said: “Don't chase the money.” That's great advice. Because when you create something really special, whether you're a mom-and-pop store or a national chain, the money will follow.
