What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?

I love knowing that success and failure is in my own control. When you are working for someone else, or a larger corporation, it is hard to see your ideas come to life. When you own your own business, you can make any idea a reality. And those are the ideas that will ultimately lead to a successful operation.

What keeps you up at night?

Staffing is what keeps me up at night. In the restaurant industry, there is a tremendously high rate of turnover. Finding good people is hard!

What ignited the spark in you to start your business?

A sense of community sparked the initial idea. My husband and I left church on a Sunday morning and simply wanted a good cup of coffee that would not require sitting down to a full meal or having to leave the island. We wanted to just linger with friends in a casual environment. That's the moment Blondies came to life.

What personality trait are you most proud of?

Probably strength, both mental and physical. Strength has carried me through the highs and lows of getting our own business off the ground and operating smoothly. Mental strength helps me overcome negativity and physical strength helps me overcome the sleepless nights associated with being a business owner.

In one word characterize your life as an entrepreneur.

#versatile

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I have received is to surround yourself with people who are better than you at doing your job. Utilize them and learn and don't let ego get in the way!

Name a women entrepreneur past or present you admire, and tell us why.

Erin Andrews.  She is a sideline reporter for the NFL and sportscaster. This was always my dream job and she does it with such grace and glamour. She exemplifies the ultimate female success in a sports arena that is completely dominated by men.

What would you do with one extra hour in the day?

If I had an extra hour in each day, I would make sure to exercise and nap.

What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful business owner?

1. Listen to the people around you. Often times, they know more than you do.

2. Check your ego at the door. You may think you have all the answers because you
own a business. You don't.

3. Stay persistent. For every day where "all seems right", there are another 10 where "all seems wrong". You have to stay persistent to see your ideas come to life even if you get knocked down along the way.

How do you handle fear?

I talk to my husband. He has such a positive outlook and always sees the glass as half full. When I am scared, he instantly puts my mind at ease.

Anne Turner

Company name: Blondies Bagels and Cafe

URL: blondiesdi.com