Behind the Scenes with Nancie Dunn

Each month, "Behind the Scenes" features an interview with a leader in our community designed to provide readers a glimpse into his/her interests and passions inside and outside of the workplace

This month, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Nancie Dunn, owner of Sweet Cecily in Middlebury

Where did you grow up?

My hometown is Roslyn, NY, which is an old town, with a lovely clock tower and park with a duck pond

Where did you go to school?

I attended Philadelphia College of Art and The School of Visual Arts in NYC. I majored in illustration

First ever job?

My first job was at a store called “Port of Call” it was a gift shop, and I recall the owners were often out of town leaving their business to some silly teenagers! We tried to handle it all!

When did you arrive in Vermont?

I moved to Vermont in 1972 and got my first job at Frog Hollow craft center. I was around such creative craftspeople! Weavers, jewelers, woodworkers, metal workers and fiber artists! It was the well-known “back to the land” movement, and the spirit of young people coming to Vermont, and many other rural communities trying to live meaningful and creative lives, and establish community, was magical. Many of those folks are still my closest friends .

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

As far as inspirations growing up, my generation was seriously influenced by the music around us in the 60’s and 70’s, the best singer songwriters in my opinion who were writing about important and transformative subjects that were all around us back then, the War in Vietnam, simpler life, etc,

When people say someone like Dylan (and others) was a “spokesperson” for a generation I believe this to be true, he illuminated the world around us which was changing

Favorite Vacation Spot?

Mexico for a month mid February to Mid March it’s the only time I can leave the store for that long and even then it’s asking a lot of my staff! It’s almost always busy there!

Who do you most admire?

I most admire people who are trying to live an authentic life, a good life with good values and open minds.

I am seriously worried about what I see in this country as some basic and important rights turning backwards.

For women, in education, and for the diverse people we share this country with; we need to fight the slide back to a darker less inclusive and a small minded past.

Favorite movie, music?

I have watched Moonstruck about 25 times; I can quote most everyone’s lines! As far as music, I like bluegrass, folk, country, Latin, fairly diverse, not a big jazz or opera fan.

Typical work week?

I’m at the store about 5-6 days a week we are open 7 days a week I try to not be there Sundays and have that be a home day with partner Bruce Baker.

Janice Stearns has been working for me from the first day I opened, we still enjoy each other and I wanted to mention that!

Biggest career challenge?

The challenge for me is keeping Sweet Cecily relevant, fun, changing, and on trend. My customer base is so varied so it’s a lot to consider! Tourists, College kids, locals, kids, young parents, older folks!

What's the greatest career risk you have taken?

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was leaving my job as Manager of the Gallery, at The Vermont State Craft Center at Frog Hollow, which was a job I loved, and opening my own store, Bruce encouraged me and made it happen by supporting the idea and shutting down all my reasons why I couldn’t do it. Now 35 years later, its one of the oldest and most successful stores in town for which I am grateful, to my customers, and to him!

My store is one of the most important things in my life, its where I go everyday it’s the creative outlet and the social interaction, its part of my identity which I think is true for most small business owners,

What's the one thing you would like to see change in your business/industry?

In the gift business, it would be nice for me to be able to buy more things made in this country that are affordable

My customers love my store because of the selection and the affordability of the things I carry. At Christmas, people literally can do all their shopping at my store for newborns to grannies!