“ My mom was the driving force for the start of the business. She was determined to provide a business for my brother,” Kelly said.“ She worked during the week at her full-time job as a teacher, then after school and on weekends at the retail store in Nashville.”
The entire family worked long hours to keep the business going.
“ I personally worked after school and on weekends to
For Bare Feet in Nashville’ s Antique Alley is where it all started. photos by Cindy Steele
stock merchandise and help customers. We worked many weekends until 1 or 2 a. m., and then we were back in the store by 7 the next morning. It wasn’ t something you thought about, you just did it,” she said.“ My brother, Tim, Mom and I spent a lot of hours together and you just do what needs to be done. The very first year we used our home as a warehouse. There were socks on shelves in our bedrooms, in closets, the bathroom, kitchen, living room. Every possible square inch was utilized. It wasn’ t a hardship, it was simply a way of life. We worked together, had fun together, and laughed together.”
Kelly said she only worked one summer at another job.
“ But extra help was always needed within the new startup family business. It always drew me back in— that feeling you’ ve really helped make a difference.”
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Sept./ Oct. 2019 • Our Brown County 17