Business: Nautical Décor

Address: 409 S. Church St., Suite E, Smithfield, VA 23430

Phone: (757) 357-0037

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: nauticaldecor1@cox.net

Web SITE: www.nauticaldecor1.com

Nature: Retail store for unique nautical gifts and boating supplies.

OwnerS: Dwain and Suzanne Rodman

Founded: We officially opened on July 1

Employee: Just one — my son, Jason. My wife and I work the store on other days.

How’s business? Like any retail store, there are good and bad days. But the first month has met and exceeded my goals.

Know about Business: Nautical Décor offers one-of-a-kind unique nautical gifts and jewelry for maritime enthusiasts.

SOMETHING YOU Won’t find elsewhere: We have custom-designed nautical clocks, tropical 3-D metal art, handmade nautical birdhouses and custom nautical jewelry. We also offer the Tortuga Caribbean rum cakes from the Cayman Islands, Sperry Top-Sider collection of shoes, boating supplies and tropical T-shirts from Goin’ Coastal.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: Complete a business plan. Research your market area for what you are doing. Have at least six months of rent and payroll set aside for down months. Always treat your customers with the respect and care that you would want because that will be your best advertisement.

First Job: My first full-time job was with a private ambulance service in Virginia Beach.

Key to success: Pre-planning and provide the utmost customer service. If you take care of your customers, they will help your business succeed and grow.