Q&A with Sarah Vestlie
Sarah Vestlie
by Nathan J. Comp
After Jade Mountain — the bead store she managed for four years — closed last summer, 28-year-old Sarah Vestlie set out to open a bead store of her own. Getting things in order hasn’t been easy, but last week Vestlie signed the lease for space that will in early March become Indus Beads, on Willy Street.
Speaking about her business, Vestlie seems more excited about giving back to the community that has given her so much. Orphaned at birth in Calcutta, India, Vestlie was adopted by American parents at age 3 months. She was reared in Minnesota and moved to Madison 10 years ago.
As part of her community giveback, she has partnered with Community Support Network, through which she’s hiring up to five persons with developmental disabilities, something Vestlie says is simply the right thing to do. She also has big plans for partnering with schools and creating a space that helps foster a deeper sense of community.
Vestlie spoke this week to The Madison Times about her store and her apprehension about becoming a business owner.
TMT: What is about beads that people find so alluring?
SV: Some look for how old the bead is; some prefer antique versus new. Also the shape, and what it’s made out of. I won’t carry plastic beads, because quality is a big one. People can tell the difference. I’m focusing on the unique stuff that you can’t find anywhere else. I’m not going to try and carry everything, so you can just depend on me. I don’t want to control the bead market, because I don’t think anyone should do that. Every place should get some love.
TMT: What makes you nervous about launching a business?
SV: Because I’m coming out of the shadows of Jade Mountain, I hope that people will understand that it’s me, starting up by myself, with very little help, and not a 10-year-old business that can buy beads like a 10-year-old business. When I was buying beads recently in Tucson, I was assuming I was going to get the same traffic that Jade Mountain had, but I can’t assume that. So it scares me that people are going to want a bunch of stuff that I can’t afford this early on. I’m not really afraid of failing.
TMT: How will Indus Beads differ from Jade Mountain?
SV: I’m going to have more involvement in the community. I’m going to be working with the school system. I’m going to be more involved with Community Support Network, selling cards that they make and sell to earn money. They are going to be a huge asset to my team. I’ll be doing bead shows and partnering with other businesses. I want it to be a comfortable place to hang out, something more than just a bead shop. I think people will appreciate that.
TMT: Why is it important to you to hire people with developmental disabilities?
SV: Number one, their funding is getting cut, I believe. And this will be helping them out. I don’t have any real reason other than it’s just the right thing to do. I have an opportunity to help people who are just as capable as anyone else. It fits with my company and situation.
TMT: Looking back on your very humble beginnings in life, do you ever feel just plain lucky?
SV: Um, yeah, I feel real lucky. This community has been so supporting. When Jade Mountain was closing, the number of offers I got to just help me get started. Every day, people would come in and say, “Hey, you should check this out,” or “You should go here to get a loan.” I’ve even had former customers contact me on my personal phone, which I don’t know how they get the number, but they’re like, “Sarah, are you opening the store? We’re waiting.” So, yeah, I’m real lucky.
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