Inspiring Conversations with Lesley Daniel of LD2 on Strawberry Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley Daniel.

Hi Lesley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We have been in business for 8 years. I (Lesley) worked as a police officer for 10 years prior to buying our first business. We took a leap because retail was Leah’s passion. We bought our first store in Jackson, TN. A few years later we opened a second one in Downtown Jackson,TN and then a third in Humboldt,TN. We had the opportunity to sell our building in downtown Jackson and we also sold our north Jackson business as we became so busy at the third location where we are now doing custom apparel. We run 3 embroidery machines, 2 laser engravers, DTF printing, UV DTF Printing. We do company and business shirts, hats, cups, pens, name tags. You name it we try to be able to make it happen. We design logos for businesses and inside our store we also have a boutique with gift items and a nail salon. We try our best to make it a one stop shop from home decor, gifts, personalized items, business needs, jewelry etc. We do sports teams apparel, schools, businesses, hospitals, clinics, electric company’s. We started our business from the ground up with no knowledge and a lot of hustle. LD2 in all our business names now and prior stands for our first initial and last initial and the two is for the two of us.. my name is Lesley Daniel and my wife is Leah Daniel and we came up with LD2 and it stuck and that’s how we made a unique name for ourselves and our business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning your own business is never a smooth road. If someone says it is they’re lying. When I went from being a cop into the retail world I was so afraid I would miss what my heart needed that I got when I was a cop and that is helping others, but It didn’t take long to find my way to help others by giving donations, supporting others, making their ideas come to life through clothing. I love helping others grow and promote their business too so I get the opportunity to do that every single day and it’s such a blessing. Leah who has a love for retail and putting ideas together makes our team strong. But aside from our strengths it’s not always easy but if you have heart and my favorite saying of all time is finding the positive in a negative situation you figure it out and do your best everyday! Treat people how you want to be treated and give it your all everyday. Be humble and never forget where you came from. Nobody ever talks about the struggles of owning your own business. You’re it! When something breaks, it’s all on you to fix it. When there’s a problem of any kind it’s your job as the owner to fix it. People don’t see how many hours you truly work and invest in your business trying to make it better. There’s day as a business owner you want to throw in the towel but you have to learn why you started. You were chosen to do this for a reason. A bad day isn’t a bad life and there’s something good in everyday if we will just let ourselves find it!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize in customization. Finding that perfect fit in a hat or color. Creating that special logo that the customer has in mind and bringing it to life. I think what sets us apart more than anything is that our customers EVERY SINGLE ONE is like our family and I mean that a majority of our customers say I love you when they leave our store. They know no matter what they’re going to get our very best. We aren’t perfect but we will do whatever we can to make customers happy. I am most proud of the support that our community and our people show us. It’s amazing everyday someone comes through our doors and says I knew I could come see my girls and they’d take care of me. It’s about the trust they have in us to do exactly what they want done. I take a lot of time with my customers it doesn’t matter if they spend $5 or $5,000 or never purchase a thing from us I’m going to treat them all the same. That’s how we are supposed to . God placed us on this earth to help others and if we cannot help others we are here for no reason I truly believe that. Your first job is to be a good person over everything. Help and give where you can, when you can

What are your plans for the future?
I search on how to grow and be better everyday. If we ever stop learning there’s a problem. There’s something to learn in each day. There’s always room for improvement so I never stop learning and adding new equipment to meet each customers requests and needs. We plan to keep doing what we have always done. Growing each day and being better than we were the day before.

Pricing:

• I sit down and crunch numbers on each order
• Depending on brands etc I try to give the best pricing for each customer
• That’s why I do not do a “price list” I price each order out individually

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ld2strawberryhill.com
• Instagram: @ld2onstrawberryhill
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1QSQZUf4Vy/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LD2onStrawberryHill