<b>Owner:</b>
<b>Sue D. Heether</b>
<b>Short bio: </b>
Sue Heether - Baltimore, Md., resides in Timonium with her partner Catherine and her children Jackson and Katie. Attended Loyola College.
<b>Why did you choose this particular business?</b> I worked in retail throughout my college years and played many sports. I thought this would be a good fit. Had a few guys that had confidence in me say that we could start a business and that it would flourish and lent the money to start the business
<b>Why did you choose to work for yourself rather than as an employee for someone else- particularly relevant if answer illustrates the risk taken?</b> No idea. Too young at the time to understand the responsibilities and the amount of work it takes to daily operate. Love what I do, enjoy the great people that work for the company. It allows me the creative nature I like every day.
<b>What have you learned from being in business?</b> It is a lot of hard work. You meet a ton of people. You work long hours. If things go great you thank everyone around you for all their help. And when things go bad you look at yourself and ask why did I do that and how can I make it better or not ever do that again? I have friends all over and they all like discounts (humor there).
<b>Share an anecdote of a challenging or humorous experience or biggest surprise learned from working your business:</b> That as a tenant you are responsible for everything. We have had ceiling problems at all locations. I have replaced air conditioners. We have shoveled sewage. We have rebuilt things...It can be challenging.
<b>What have been the advantages and/or disadvantages of operating a business in Alexandria?</b> Alexandria is a great city and by all of our findings, an explosive area for our two biggest sports, lacrosse and field hockey. We did a lot of homework placing a store in Alexandria when so many people wanted us in so many other states. What we did not factor in was traffic, another moment where I ask myself, "why?"...but it is our fastest growing area right now and has proven a winner down there. We are in double digit growth with it, and now with our relocation to the upper level near Panera...we just have to remind customers that we are now upstairs.
<b>Manager(s):</b> (if different from owner) Love the good ones and that is exactly what I have in Alexandria. Laura has been with the company almost 7-8 years. After me, I think she knows our business best. She definitely merchandises better than I do. She is the employee I would clone if I could.
<b>Key staff:</b> Laura Marino, Manager; Crystal Berube, Assistant Manager
<b>Description of services and/or products:</b> Women's Sportswear, apparel and sporting goods for girls & women for lacrosse, field hockey, softball, soccer and swimming.