Janice DeGoosh
2008 Entrepreneur of the Year
The Pink Shutter
Montpelier, VT

The Pink Shutter’s Janice DeGoosh started working in the floral business nearly 30 years ago.  Although she thought about owning her own store, she said, “It’s tough to be the owner of a floral business when you have kids because it takes up so much of your time during the holidays. But I still had so many of my own ideas, and when you’re working for someone else it’s hard to do those things.”

Janice eventually moved to Montpelier and began working at The Pink Shutter. When the previous owners decided to sell, Janice had been there for six years and felt it was the right time to pursue her dream of owning her own business.

“My kids were grown; I owned my home, so it seemed like a good time to do it.” She wrote a business plan and did all of the other necessary groundwork, and then met with a bank and Community Capital who supplied her with her first loan.

Under Janice’s management, the store continued to prosper – rapidly in the wedding and events area – and three years ago, at the urging of her daughter, Karen, Janice expanded the store and began a home goods section in her new space.

“Community Capital has been there for every bump in the road. After working with them, it’s almost hard to imagine how you can’t succeed!” The Pink Shutter celebrated its 50th year, five of those under Janice’s management, in 2007.