This month, we are featuring fellow local business owner and frequent shopper, Crystal Humble Larry! Crystal uses her personal style as a way to connect to her customers and she feels more approachable when she wears something she loves! Read on to learn more about why Crystal loves being a customer of The Difference and to learn more about her unique shop.
My name is Crystal, but I’m known around town as Cricket!
I’m an avid fan of the outdoors, love vintage clothing and the art of fashion to really honor personal style.
Working in downtown Vancouver, I passed The Difference for years but never popped in until one day I saw a perfect green tank top in the window. I went in and bought the lovely tank right on the spot and the rest is history! Daron and her team take care of me every time I go in (which as a petite gal is no easy task!), always recommending the perfect accent piece in the perfect size, and they carry Pikolinos! One of my favorite shoe brands!
Carrying fashion with me into my own shop has been so special.
My business, Eryngium Papeterie, is a brick-and-mortar storefront the next block over and is dedicated to stationery and writing ephemera.
When I was 11 years old, I knew I wanted to own a paper store one day. This always felt like an unachievable dream as I worked two jobs to make ends meet in my younger years, and even more out of reach when becoming a mother.
I can’t tell you how many cozy boots carried me to local Papeteries for stationery, and how many enchanting heels walked through cafes and late-night pubs to any surface that would hold a paper and pen so I could continue my correspondence. As an artist and jewelry maker on the side, I would chat up the owners of every shop I consigned in about my own dream of running a Papeterie one day.
I chatted up strangers at wine bars over the thrill of exquisite Italian stationery finds, and still kept a little notebook to jot down ideas for my “dream store”. Everything came into clarity when I realized I was pouring the best of myself into every job I had and was feeling unfulfilled. One teary phone call to my mother and she affirmed my lifelong dream, and her support is what turned the tides for me.
I love people and I love paper! Now I get to spend my days helping other people fall in love with writing again.
Bringing creativity and comfort into my professional environment is a wonderful way to connect to my customers. Whether my jewelry choice, favorite coveralls or new shoes, when I wear something I love it makes me approachable to people.
Confidence starts with kindness, I think, and believing in YOUR worth is so kind to yourself. Knowing of the good things inside of you reflects to others, and that confidence is the most beautiful of all.
