Women in Business: Teresa Crouse
By Jenn Clark
We often attend networking events where we meet inspiring women rocking it in the corporate world, including ongoing Women in Business events hosted by Pittsburgh Magazine and sponsored by S&T Bank this year. We were so inspired by these events and the supportive atmosphere that we decided to do a monthly feature on our blog of women in business. What was once primarily a man’s world is now also heavily impacted by women. Don’t get us wrong; we know a lot of men kicking ass as business owners that we also admire. However, we can’t help but feature our fellow female.
This month, we’re featuring Teresa Crouse, a local entrepreneur who, so early in her career, already owns more than one successful business. Shortly after graduating college, she opened her own branch of the family restaurant, Crouse’s Cafe, right in downtown Indiana. This hot spot serves lunch and an all-day breakfast seven days a week. After just a couple years in business, she saw an opportunity to get into retail and, thus, the Bella Regazza was launched in September 2016.
We actually first learned about her when we visited her new boutique. Initially, we were just looking to update part of our work wardrobe for summer but, through her mother who was helping her at the store the day we shopped, we discovered a motivated and ambitious woman we knew we had to meet. Below, check out our interview with the powerhouse herself, Teresa:
Women in Business Feature: Interview with Teresa Crouse
Planful: Tell us about yourself and your background.
Teresa Crouse: I attended Coastal Carolina and majored in economics and management. I lived there for four years, graduated, and came back since my family is from around here. I grew up in Kittanning.
P: Do you miss North Carolina?
TC: Oh, yes, very much so [laughs]. I loved it down there.
P: So, why did you get into the restaurant business?
TC: I was a part of a family-owned restaurant growing up, and so it started as a family thing, but then I went off on my own and opened the Indiana location in February 2014. (There are Crouse’s Cafes in Lower Burrell and Kittanning as well.)
P: What were your biggest challenges starting, and what are your biggest challenges now?
TC: Um, learning it all because it is more hands- on. When we opened the Indiana location, [that was a challenge] and finding the location in general.
P: And how about with Bella? What made you want to open the boutique?
TC: I really like fashion and saw the opportunity and went for it. Also, it is close to the restaurant, so it’s really convenient. The challenge was learning everything [with that too]. I did six months of research on wholesalers and pricing. I had to learn it all from scratch, plus run two restaurants on top of that. It gets a little intense. [laughs.] I always knew I wanted to start a business, and I figured it’d be a restaurant. I never thought I’d do the whole boutique thing but then I decided to just give it a try.
P: What motivates you?
TC: Just seeing if my ideas work out and actually seeing them work out. [I am all about] always taking risks. I never know if my ideas will work out but it is always fun trying.
P: What would you like people to know about your businesses?
TC: We are really, really good at what we do. Breakfast has been in my family forever, then when I started, I put a fresher, modern spin to it. We try to keep the pricing as low as possible. At the boutique, we are always adding to it and always trying something new. It really can appeal to anybody and is more casual and girly. Lot’s of mother’s and daughters come and can both find something.
P: Yeah, we noticed when we went there that the prices were also really reasonable. We were pleasantly surprised!
TC: [laughs] Yeah, our goal is to keep prices affordable and appeal to more people!
P: Any advice for other young female business owners or any business owner for that matter for time management?
TC: Plan your day out ahead and allot a certain amount of hours to each activity. Don’t start a new project until you finish the other projects. That is the main thing.
P: What is your overall best advice?
TC: Just go for it. Don’t give up and even if one idea doesn’t work go for another one. You never know — just take the risk. It really pays off.
P: One last question: What’s your best seller at Crouse’s?
TC: Breakfast! We make breakfast all day — that’s what we’re known for.
We had a great time speaking with Teresa and can’t wait to see what’s next on her list. Below, check out some photos from Sarah and Jenn’s trip to the Bella Regazza and see what outfits they picked out.
Do you know a woman in business you’d like to see us feature? Contact us to submit your nomination!
