Each week, the Daily News profiles a locally owned business.

Name of business: Heart Strings Gifts

Address: 840 U.S. 31-W By-Pass

Type of business: Gift shop

When did it open? 1995

Owner: Kathy Scariot

Number of employees: 20

Specialties: Gifts of every kind for adults and children. Jewelry, home fragrances, purses, totes and luggage, and lots of personal items to pamper yourself or someone else. We also have a children’s specialty store next doors, Chatters. There, we sell clothing and shoes for birth to size 17 and baby gifts and accessories.

How did the business get started? I had the idea that Bowling Green needed a new gift shop. I did a lot of research and went forward from there.

What is your background? Previously, I spent a lot of years in the retail office products field and also in the automobile business and had great mentors from both of those careers. I was accustomed to working hard and long hours, so I was ready to give my own business the time it needed to take root and grow.

What are your biggest challenges as a business? With the current state of the economy, my biggest challenge is forecasting the needs of the business for the future. As buyers, we have to purchase so far in advance that it becomes a risk. I just try to think positive and continue moving forward.

What’s your business philosophy? Always take care of your customers and treat them in the manner you would wanted to be treated as a consumer, and mean it.

What issues are affecting your industry? The retail business, like most other businesses, is in a decline, but Heart Strings is continually growing. We attribute that to a great customer base here in our area. Like all small businesses, we still struggle with the rising cost of doing business, such as store supplies and freight charges.

What are the factors that make your business successful? The main ingredient in our success is a group of employees who sincerely love our customers and each other. We enjoy our work and the time spent with each other, and we truly feel like a family. The second factor that adds to our success is finding products to sell in every price range and offering them at the best price we can.

How do you handle competition? I have never worried about new gift shops or competition in our area. We just focus on what we do and being the best we can be. We have a good rapport with other shops in our area and often send them business when they are looking for an item we don’t have. Likewise, they do the same for us.

What is your advice to someone thinking about opening a business? Do lots of research on your product or service and take your time making decisions such as location, business name, etc. Then, be prepared to work twice as much as you think you need to. Stay positive and hire the best people you can with good attitudes and work ethic.