“Do Over” sometimes means someone wants a second chance. For business owner Norma Lemons, Do Over means a second business.
Lemons, a 2007 graduate of the Southeast Innovation Center’s Operation Jump-Start small business training program, partnered with Tania Friedman to open the Do Over Store this February. The consignment shop is near Hwy B in Ste. Genevieve
Southeast Missouri State University sponsors Operation Jump-Start, which is a nationally-recognized and award-winning program and taught by the staff of the SE Innovation Center. The course allows the participants to test their business ideas on paper prior to opening their business. Lemons is part of a larger group of about 240 businesses that have been created or expanded through Operation Jump-Start and its predecessor, Operation Bootstrap. In the last six years, courses have been held in 13 different SE Missouri counties and also in Northern TN and Southeastern IL.
After graduating from the Operation Jump-Start classes in the Fall of 2007, Lemons opened a home-based business, Stone House Willow. She continues that business in which she weaves custom willow baskets, produced from willow grown on her property. She premiered her baskets at the Bolduc House during Christmas that year, and baskets can be found year-round at the Bolduc House and other Ste. Genevieve area events. Starting a re-sale store has always been another passion, Lemons said. She is an avid “garage-saler” and only buys items she knows she can turn-around quickly.
“Can you believe it’s only been a little over a year since I graduated from your entrepreneurial program,” Lemons said, “and I’m opening a second small business? I guess I just am pretty excited about the possibilities!”
The Do-Over Store sells antiques, baby items, home décor accessories, her willow baskets and much more. Lemons said the store will accept items from the public and can give in-store credit. Consignment of larger, higher-ticket items can also be negotiated.