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

Hi Nancy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, Byrt & Gerty’s Kids Redeux began on a whim. My best friend and I had previously run a cottage business creating fabric-covered earrings. In February 2020, I learned of a sleepy children’s resale shop available for sale. We both value thrifting as a way to save money and be sustainable, and with several years of retail experience between us, this opportunity seemed like a natural fit. The shop had gone through two owners in a year and a half and struggled to stay afloat. This was the kind of challenge that we lived for, and we recognized the need for a children’s resale shop within the community. We took the plunge and on April 1st, 2020 we took possession of the store…And then Covid.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
oof this is a hard one to answer. I was a stay-at-home mom for years, however, always dreamed of having a career. When my kids were older, I decided it was time to find that career. Long story short, it was a different day and age, I struggled to market myself on paper and had a difficult time re-entering the workforce down the desired path. Eventually, I was hired by a company and worked my way up the ladder only to be let go due to downsizing. My fragile confidence was shot, and after a few years, some tears, and maybe a few bottles of wine, I convinced my best friend to take a chance with me and buy this shop. I’ve grown alot as a human as well as a businesswoman. My goal, as we grow, is to always provide a space to meet people where they’re at, remain people over profit, and create opportunities for those who may have barriers entering the workforce. Oh, you asked about lessons learned…Don’t look at your situation through other people’s glasses. Owning your own business is going to be hard. Take care of yourself because no one else is going to invest in you what you deserve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Tacoma is a rich community, we’ve lived here for 20 years and can’t imagine living anywhere else! We’d visit the history, art, and glass museums. Take a walk along Owens beach. Take the ferry to Vashon Island and take an afternoon drive and visit the shoreline. We’ll start each day with coffee and a pastry from Lux, Wide Awake, Beware, Curran, and Heritage Coffee and Plant House. We’ll try to score a slice of cake from Cat & Rabbit. We’ll eat at Dusty’s, Top of Tacoma, Vien Dong, VK Kitchen, Lunar Pho, Mama’s Teriyaki, MSM Deli, Tacoma Pie, and of course grab a sweet treat at Bambu! And of course we’ll shop downtown in Antique Row, Curious Bear, Channing Baby, Stocklist, and Freighthouse Square. Then definitely swing by the Procter Farmers Market and the Tacoma Sunday Market. There’s so much to do in Tacoma!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am incredibly grateful for the support and mentorship from Spaceworks Tacoma and all the alum. Also when we first opened, Shyanne Corrente, the owner of Children’s Trading Post in Lakewood, reached out and offered us guidance as we opened shop!

Website: www.byrtandgertykids.com

Instagram: @byrtandgertykids

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-eisenhart/

Facebook: @byrtandgertykids

Other: tiktok: byrtandgertykids

Image Credits
Amber Plaisted Photograpy instagram.com/amberplaistedphotography/

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