25 Best Interview Questions | & My Answers - Classic Legacy Custom Gifts

I’ve been interviewed many times and these are 25 of the best questions that I’ve been asked. I am Catherine Tatum, the owner and designer of Classic Legacy Custom Gifts. These are my favorite questions!

Background Questions

Tell me how Classic Legacy began. I began Classic Legacy as a young mother of two small girls. It was the 1980’s and hair accessories were a big thing. I had resigned from my teaching career of five years to be a mom but wanted to contribute financially to our family income. I’ve always enjoyed being creative and love to make things. I saw creating hair bows as an opportunity and employed other young mothers to help. It exploded, and I sold primarily to small luxury stores and a few department stores. From there, I expanded to accessories for women and even imported tortoise accessories from France. Eventually, I hired a sales rep and ended up in the Atlanta Merchandise Mart selling wholesale gifts to stores all over the USA. By that time I had also expanded to creating home accessories and gifts. Wine charms and bottle stoppers became a big hit for Classic Legacy. I eventually was represented also in Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles. I was able to come in contact with top luxury hotels, resorts, and museums.
What would you say is your mission statement? In one interview I was asked if I could design a candle and that candle had a quote on it what would it be? That was an interesting way to pull out what my mission statement is! My favorite quote is, “A Happy Memory is a Joy Forever.” When I design gifts I am always thinking about where they will end up. Whose home will they be in? How will they be used? I want my gifts to bring joy and be a part of happy memories.

Business Development Questions

What types of customers do you focus on? I have learned that my niche includes upscale luxury boutiques, hotels, resorts, and museums.
How have you seen the market change in the last 39 years? Oh my goodness, it has changed so much! I like to say I’m a lifelong learner. That is a good thing because I’ve had to learn so much! I think the major change has been with the advancement of technology.
What Technology tools do you currently use? Currently, I use Shopify for my online store, WordPress for my blog, Klavijo for my CRM for retail customers, Keap as my CRM for wholesale customers, and UPS for shipping. I also use LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Google Drive, and Google Ads.
As a solo entrepreneur where do you go to learn? I am a reader of The Wall Street Journal and I also read my local newspaper, The Daily Memphian. I love to “read” by listening to podcasts and books via Audible. Some of my favorite podcasts are The Marketing School, The Digital Marketer, Podcast, Remarkable People, Perpetual Traffic, The Simple Pin, TED Business, Windowsill Chats, and This American Life, I have recently discovered Say it Southern, and The Gatherers and I love both of these! I am a member of a book club that includes such bright as well as fun readers. One of my recent favorite books is “The Lost Bookshop”. It is a very creative story and not business-oriented…and I think it is important to be inspired creatively as well! I also love to visit museums.
What products have you developed through the years? Products I have developed include hair accessories, wine charms, wine bottle stoppers, wine glasses, wine carriers, wine coolers, bourbon glasses, magnets, notepads, letter openers, paperweights, photo frames, trinket trays, large trays, cufflinks, purse mirrors, money clips, key rings, earrings, bracelets, and oyster shell art. Wow, when I look at this list it is sort of overwhelming. Many of these gifts I customize with silver medallions and custom logos.

Marketing Questions

How have you marketed your products through the years? This has changed so much. Initially, I literally would go in person and introduce myself and physically show them what I created. I also hired representatives when I was at the various markets. Now I market via my website, Classic Legacy. The biggest drivers of traffic to my website are Pinte rest, Google, and YouTube. So I market by sharing new “Pins” and creating videos on YouTube. I also think it is important that I market with email to stay on top of my customers’ minds and to reach out to potential clients. I also use the telephone :)!
What catalogs or websites have you been featured in? Currently, I’m featured in Olive and Cocoa, The Texas Capitol Gift Store, Lansky’s at the Memphis Peabody Hotel, The French Antique Shop in New Orleans, The Grand Hotel in Michigan, The Abbey Winery, and The Gifted Grape.
Who are some of the wholesale clients you have served through the years? I have had some incredible opportunities and I’m so thankful. I’ve designed gifts for The Biltmore, Monticello, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Convention for three years, The City of New Orleans Tricentennial, the gift store on top of the Empire State Building, The Venetian Resort and Casino, The Hotel Del Coronado, The New York Waldorf Astoria, The Hotel Monteleone, The Brown Hotel, Memphis Country Club, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Oak Brook Polo Club, and The Del Mar National Horse Show.
How do you reach retail clients? I reach people directly through my website, shop.classiclegacy.com
What has been the most popular gift you have designed? The Classic Legacy wine bottle collection has been the most popular. I have three styles. One is the “Classic Bottle Stopper” which has a flat top that I embellish with themed medallions, custom logos, or art. The second style is the “Charmed Bottle Stopper”. This style features three charms and sets of beads that represent a theme such as our happy birthday bottle stopper. The third style is the “Marble Wine Bottle Stopper”. This style has a large chunk of marble at the top that I embellish with silver medallions or with custom logos or art.
What is the most unique gift you have designed? A winery in Roswell, New Mexico asked me to develop a bottle stopper with an alien theme!

Challenges and Successes

What would you say is one of your biggest successes? One of my biggest successes is having the best people to work with and a supportive family. Through the years so many amazing and talented women have stood alongside me and helped solve everything from how to create a barcode to being there when my mother was very ill. My husband, two daughters and now son-in-law are also a huge help. I especially appreciate that I have a consultant for my website!
Share a challenge you have had in your business. I have always chosen to have my business in my home. I have a large storage area as well as a dedicated office. Sometimes for super large orders I’ve rented storage space. It has been a challenge but I like being flexible and it has worked out!
How did Covid affect your business? Covid was a blessing in disguise for Classic Legacy. My wholesale business with retailers and hotels came to a halt. However, I was able to pivot and concentrate on selling directly to consumers. I spent time learning more about Google Analytics and Shopify. Now the wholesale clients have all come back and I have a good second stream of business with customers buying directly from my website. Also during Covid, I developed a new product, oyster shell art. It is unique and different from my other gifts and my clients love the new collection.

Personal Development Questions

What is some of the best advice that you have received? To be a lifelong learner is some of the best advice I’ve received.
How do you define success? I think true success is being able to do what you love in your life. It is also about being able to make time to be with and do things with the people you love. It is also about allowing God to direct us in His path.
What advice would you give to your 30-year-old self? I would advise myself that I should never give up. My generation has come through so many phases. I think every generation sees many changes and mine sure has. At first, I had to travel to New York to do research and search for new vendors. Now it is the internet. No one had a website at the beginning of my business era and now everyone has to have a website. I’ve learned to use my cell phone as a camera, alarm clock, file cabinet, calendar, communication device, and more! So never give up there are always new doors to open and new opportunities to follow.
How do you give back to your community? About five years ago I attended a local Memphis festival/outdoor market. I always love to check out new designers and local events. It was 95 degrees and I was about ready to leave when I heard a voice that called out, “Catherine”. I went to check on their booth and it was “My Cup of Tea”, a local non-profit that my friend began. I knew that I wanted to get involved but I was never sure how I could balance volunteer work with my business life. They needed someone to help take photos and post them via Instagram and Facebook. Those were skills I knew I could provide. Now I love to visit the tea house about once a week and learn more about the ladies who are employed there and also share the good news that this venture brings to my city, Memphis.
What is something listeners might not know about you? You may not know that I love flowers and gardening. My father was a farmer and my family farm which has been in our family since 1878 is dear to me. I often take photos of my gifts with flowers. Currently blooming in my summer garden are hydrangeas, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, and daisies. Each season is different and special to me.

Questions About the Future

What new projects do you have in mind? I am always open to new opportunities. I have recently had the opportunity to create custom gifts for several gift stores that are in the state capitols. The State of Texas has been a long-time client and now I’m working with Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. My goal is to reach even more state capitol gift stores with unique gifts featuring their flags.
Are retirement plans in your future? Not at this time. I recently saw an article about a man who is 100 and still paints daily. I think as long as I am able and enjoy what I am doing I will continue to design and create.
How do you engage and mentor the next generation? Every Saturday for the past 17 years I’ve had my grandchildren over. We play games, paint, and sometimes explore Memphis. One of my favorite activities is to paint with my granddaughter. I’m not a painter, but she is very good and we have a good time together.
Where can people go the learn more about you and Classic Legacy Custom Gifts? The best place to learn more about me as well as Classic Legacy is my website. Click here to see our About Page. Click here to view the shopping section and all of our gifts.