The first time I came to visit JMU I instantly fell in love with the school and the town. Out of all the other schools I visited, Downtown Harrisonburg was without a doubt the nicest town. I remember after eating at the restaurant Clementine’s my mom and I walked over to the cutest little boutique called The Yellow Button. I bought and still frequently wear my favorite “Free People” jeans. Since then, whenever my mom comes to visit me at school, a trip to The Yellow Button is always on our list. I was lucky enough to talk to the owner, Miranda Ebersold, and get some insight into her and her business.
Q: How did you come up with the idea to start your own business?
I guess in a lot of ways I subconsciously had been coming up with the idea my whole life. I grew up with a mom, Ana’s grandmother that loved shopping. It was always about the experience more than what we actually purchased. From antique shopping to big Christmas shopping trips at Tysons Corner, visiting my fave boutique on our summer vacations or just walking around to the little shops in my hometown of Shepherdstown WV. I loved it all and it created years of tradition and fun trips with my mom and grandma. I wanted to open a store in Harrisonburg that combined all of these things I love about shopping.
Q: Is there anyone or anything in particular that inspired you to start your own business?
I was fortunate to work at a salon in high school as a receptionist that was owned by a family friend. Then in college I worked at a salon and one of the stylists left to open her own salon and I went with her and got to be a part of her starting her own business. I think that influenced me a lot and made me think that owning/starting a business as a 20 something female was something that was possible.
Q: How do you feel about being your own boss?
It is a love/hate relationship for sure! I love that everything is my vision and I have total control over what happens with the business. On the other side, I am NEVER really “off” work and if I succeed or fail is all in me.
Q: Can you describe your typical workday?
Wake up, check emails, bank accounts, Instagram messages,Facebook messages, tracking numbers for orders coming to see what is going to be arriving.
Get my kids ready for school.
Work out.
Q: What is a piece of advice you would give to other women who are looking to start their own business?
You get what you put in and if you want it bad enough you can make it happen. One of my favorite quotes is “there is no elevated to success, you have to take the stairs” I feel like that is especially true when it comes to owning your own business.
Q: What do you think is the most important thing you’ve learned about owning a small business?
Trust your gut.
Q: What has been the most satisfying moment in owning your business?
I cannot think of an exact moment but every day I get to wake up and go to a Job that I love! It is the best feeling ever to never dread going to work.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
I found the part about her being her own boss to be very inspiring! As a future woman in business, this is something I think about often. The fear of a business failing and it being completely on you is terrifying. It makes me feel better to know that established business women feel the same way!
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The stairs comment- so inspiring! I’ll have to share that one with my friends who dream about starting a business. It is not an easy task and takes hard work, as long as you know you are not alone in the hard work it can make it all the easier. I will have to put this shop on my list to check out. I can’t believe I have never heard of it.
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