Meet Heather Thelen | Business person, performer and active community member

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

Hi Heather, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My Husband, Mom, Dad and I sat down and wrote up what we were most interested in; what we were passionate about. Mom was into gardening, quilting, canning, housewares; Dad was into hardware, equipment, tools, I was most interested in animals both livestock and pets, my husband said he was passionate about comics and donuts. We decided together that we could service most of our passions under a broad “Country Store” heading. (except Terry, but we just let him get his comics and donuts as he wants them.

This model evolved over years of helping our community and continuing to try many things, into equestrian and homesteading supply .

What should our readers know about your business?
Hawthorne Country Store as a brand is different because we are responsive. We are watching what our community wants and we do our best to serve those needs. We are focused on education for staff and community so we can continue to be better at helping folks meet their equestrian and homesteading goals.

We are owned and run by local folks that were born and raised in Southern California. Our kids, and grandkids have been raised in the stores by design. We chose to create a space open to family and fur babies, (with all the joys and trials that entails).

We are big enough to offer competitive pricing, and small enough to meet individuals needs on a personal level.

The biggest challenges as we have to growth is finding committed hard working co-workers; keeping up with and staying compliant with all the governmental agencies we have to appease.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think San Diego is full of more interesting, educational, and entertaining places than can be visited in a weekend. you can create the visit that suits you best. Big spots like Lego Land and San Diego Zoo or more curated spots like San Diego Botanical Gardens, to Lions, Tigers, and Bears, and Belly Up Tavern. the music scene, beach scene, restaurant scene, and farming scene in San Diego are top notch.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family is seething with entrepreneurs. My Grandfather Tom Hawthorne is my biggest example of taking risks, working with people, and growing a business through choices that worked out well and those that were harder lessons.
I also believe that my experience in theater as a kid helped set me up for success. It taught me that I am not always the right choice for role so keep auditioning. Theater made me comfortable, or least practiced, with speaking to people including groups. Performing also helps me “play to my room” so to speak. Learning from a reaction what direction a guest or audience needs me to go.
My home life with a Mother that is a proficient homemaker and steward of resources was also immensely influential.

Website: https://hawthornecountrystore.com

Instagram: hawthornecountrystore

Facebook: hawthorencountrystoreCA

Image Credits
non needed