Miranda Pederson/Daily NewsJennifer Travelsted (left) and Cheryl Branham own Sweet Pea Boutique with Gail Groce.

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

Name of business: Sweet Pea Boutique

Location: 1945 Scottsville Road C2

Type of business: Retail and clothing boutique

When did it open? August 2008

Owners: Jennifer Travelsted, Cheryl Branham and Gail Groce

Number of employees: One full-time and three part-time

Specialties: Ladies contemporary and mommy-to-be fashions, and baby and toddler essentials.

How did the business get started? Sweet Pea Boutique is a family-owned and operated business. Jennifer Travelsted initially came up with the idea, which led to a family discussion that evolved into a family business consisting of mother, daughter and aunt.

What is your background? Jennifer Travelsted has nine years of pharmaceutical and hospital sales experience. Cheryl Branham is a retired teacher from the Barren County School System and Gail Groce is retired from the Kentucky Judicial System.

What are your biggest challenges as a business? It is an ongoing challenge to stay current and ahead of the trends while offering our clients the best quality of products for the most reasonable price.

What’s your business philosophy? Sweet Pea Boutique’s business philosophy is to offer our customers ladies contemporary wear, unique baby and toddler essentials and upscale mommy-to-be wear.

What issues are affecting your industry? Based upon our experiences in the current economy over the past year and a half, we have found two things: First, having the products that meet the needs and wants of our clients, and, secondly, seeing a return on our investments.

What are the factors that make your business successful? Sweet Pea’s success is largely due to friendly faces, impeccable customer service and exclusive styles only offered in your smaller boutiques.

How do you handle competition? Competition is healthy and is great for both owners and consumers. Competition can create a win-win situation for all.

What is your advice to someone thinking about opening a business? Make sure to thoroughly research your project and take your time. When it’s your own business, you tend to invest more time there than at a public job. However, the rewards are greater since you are the boss and you gain personal gratification from having your own business.