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The quote stuck on a friend’s wall spoke to Terri-Ann Richards- Cormier in more ways than one.

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erri-Ann-Richards: owner

It was one of those inspirational ones, cut from vinyl letters. But it was the medium more than the message that resounded with Richards-Cormier.

“I love quotes,” she said. “I live by quotes. Whenever I send an e-mail, I usually end it with a quote. I just think they are motivational and inspirational.”

Richards-Cormier, 24, a mother of two and a business student at the New Brunswick Community College, liked the product but found it overpriced and not flexible.

“You are also not able to customize it. So if I want to do my daughter’s name on her wall, I can’t go into a store and say can you do that.”

The existing product only had specific quotes packaged in specific colours and fonts. Richards-Cormier thought she could develop a less expensive product that people could individualize.

Richards-Cormier launched Valley Words of Wisdom Décor earlier this year.

She produces customized vinyl- lettered quotes in customized colours and fonts using a type of vinyl that doesn’t peel the paint from walls.

For example, in the room of her seven-year-old daughter Jatena, who dances, she has the quote on her wall: Dance like nobody’s watching.

Her product is now on the shelves at Trinity Enterprises Inc. on Prince William Street. She hopes to see it stocked in more locations throughout the Saint John area.

She also gets personal orders through word of mouth from friends and customers. She sells her products for about half the price of what was on the market.

Starting her own business has been a learning process. Even coming up with a packaging concept that is eye-catching and professional was challenging - something she did with the help of a graphic designer.

But Richards-Cormier said becoming an entrepreneur was something she always dreamed of becoming.

“I’ve always known that where I’d end up someday was as a business owner.”

En français : Croyant qu’elle pouvait développer un produit moins dispendieux,Terri- Ann Richards-Cormier a lancé sa propre entreprise, réalisant ainsi un rêve qu’elle chérissait depuis longtemps.