Meet Sundi McLaughlin | Owner of Mockingbird on Broad

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sundi McLaughlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sundi, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
I think the single most important decision I made was about 4 years into owning my shop. The shop was failing and I decided if it was going to fail I had nothing to lose so I gave myself permission to be myself through my buying and through the shops social media page. I was too worried about being professional and putting on a certain persona I thought would portray myself as a proper business owner. Once I gave myself permission to be silly and sell the things which made me laugh and buy some things with some salty language for the shop, I felt more like myself which better reflected my tastes and personality. Once I did that it seemed like customers responded really positively, they laughed with me when I admitted mistakes or told a funny story. It felt more like an authentic relationship and I have never looked back. To me it was simple– this job is stressful and the hours are endless so I at least should allow myself to be me and have a laugh. In doing so I realized my customers and I had a lot more in common than I thought and it feels more like a friendship in a lot of ways.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our shop is Mockingbird on Broad in Southern Pines, NC and we just celebrated our 14th year in business.! We pride ourselves on being a gift shop with a sense of humor. We try to have something for everyone and when a customer is on their way to a shower, birthday, wedding, they know they can pop in here, find something wonderful, and leave with it wrapped in tissue and in one of our lovely shop bags. Of course we love our online customers and are always so thankful for someone to find us in a sea of online businesses and trust us with their hard earned money. Owning a business is not for the faint of heart. The work and stress in endless. for the first few years I was my only employee and we now employ 6 to include 1 manger and 1 assistant manger. I am so lucky to have such a great crew to work with and it has allowed me to not work in the shop as many days as I used to, I can now get a lot of my office work and buying from home which is so nice. As far as overcoming challenges… I just take them as they come. Sometimes I consider closing and then I wonder what I would do if I didn’t have the shop and there is nothing I would rather be doing so I persevere.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh gosh, how fun! Well if it is the Fall like now then I of course will try and find as many outdoor events as possible. For lunch Red’s Corner and the Ice Cream Parlor are perfect for seeing a ton of friendly faces and getting a feel for the town, For dinner some of my favorite restaurants are Ashten’s, 195, & Chef Warren’s the menus are so varied and ever changing. Having frown up in Florida I love nothing more than sitting by my fire-pit with a cocktail, some music and great conversation I think that is for sure a great way to end the day. In the morning I would take my friend through our downtown and shop, eat and drink along the way. This town is filled with such great energy, it definitely will put a smile on our faces!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well there would be no shop if it wasn’t for my husband Brian. We moved here with the Army and I had a hard time finding work and when I approached him with the idea of opening up my own shop despite having no experience he was thrilled and fairly insistent on me starting the shop even if that meant maxing out our personal credit cards to get it started. He has always believed in my more than I ever have…

Website: https://mockingbirdonbroad.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mockingbirdonbroad/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundi-mclaughlin-404a8b29/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MockingbirdonBroad/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZVybmCsHdY

Image Credits
Rachel Garrison Photography