Salena Thrasher (00:00 ):

It’s kind of a blessing and a curse. I wasn’t eligible for any of that government money you could get for businesses. Mm-hmm <affirmative> because my business actually went up during COVID

Announcer (00:13 ):

Starting sustaining and having a successful small business is hard, but you already knew that, but wouldn’t it be great to have a podcast that talks to and digs in to the people who’ve made it problem solved. This is local vibes, small business success stories, talking to successful small businesses from around America. You’ll hear awesome stories about how they got started and how they survived and thrived online. And in their communities, we find out their special vibe. Welcome to local vibes,

Announcer (00:52 ):

Brought to you by ultimate online marketing.com.

Announcer (00:56 ):

Now here, your hosts, pat and Angie Cher.

Speaker 4 (01:01 ):

Hello, let’s do this.

Angie Cherubini (01:04 ):

Hi everyone. It’s pat Angie, Cheri with a local vibes where we’re talking to small business owners and learning their stories and their successes. And today we have Selena Thrasher. The owner of, I hope I say this, right? Um, uh, tr is that how you say it?

Salena Thrasher (01:25 ):

Very, very good. Um, I pronounce itus, but a lot of people say it the way you did too. It’s a made up word. So, you know, there’s really no right or wrong.

Angie Cherubini (01:37 ):

Well, we need to tell ’em what it is. I mean, it’s a she’s. She does well, let’s let her tell. Okay, well you tell

Pat Cherubini (01:43 ):

Us, we’ll let you introduce yourself. What’s your origin story? You know, what got you to where you’re at to start this business?

Salena Thrasher (01:50 ):

Sure. Well, my name is sele and Trius is my, uh, goats, milk, soap, notions, lotions business. And, uh, the name I made up, it’s a combination of my children’s names. Oh. Which are Susan and Tristan. And just kinda, you know, we’re throwing things out there. See what sounded, you know, good. Um, I wanted something that was going to be unique because I knew I wanted to have my domain name and, uh, wanted to try to keep everything in line there using the same name, word, whatever. So I came up with that and I thought, okay, this is made up. You know, nobody else is gonna have this. We’re gonna be good. And it doesn’t, uh, if, try to change my business around some, I can still use that name because it’s not, you know, specific to goat smoke soap or anything like that.

Angie Cherubini (02:54 ):

Good idea.

Salena Thrasher (02:56 ):

One, hint, look it up on Google before you <laugh>. You should decide on your name.

Pat Cherubini (03:02 ):

<laugh> we have learned every, especially a one word domain. They’re very hard to find even if it’s made up. Yeah.

Salena Thrasher (03:08 ):

Well, domain was OK. What I found out with is Trius is actually a Phish,

Angie Cherubini (03:18 ):

Is it really?

Salena Thrasher (03:20 ):

<laugh> not

Pat Cherubini (03:21 ):

A goat fish by chance.

Salena Thrasher (03:23 ):

No, no. Um, this is really strange. It’s a convict fish. <laugh> so, huh. And I guess they’re down around Australia type thing. I don’t know. Anyway, people around here don’t seem to know that. So that’s our little secret.

Pat Cherubini (03:40 ):

<laugh> not know that.

Angie Cherubini (03:41 ):

That is interesting.

Pat Cherubini (03:43 ):

So how did that turn into goat milk? Were you born a goat farmer or is this something that you became?

Salena Thrasher (03:50 ):

No, no, no, no, no. I’m a Newark city girl and, um, Dolly. It’s, it’s really weird. You know how these stories are so convoluted, but we have, um, some property in Grandville, uh, two acres. So not a lot. Um, I decided to get chickens. OK. Yeah, we can do that two acres, not a problem. So we got our chickens, but one day I went to pick up some more are chickens cuz you can’t, you know, just can’t have few chickens. You always have to

Angie Cherubini (04:25 ):

Course, it always starts with chickens.

Salena Thrasher (04:27 ):

<laugh> it’s they’re kinda the gateway drug depart. Yeah.

Pat Cherubini (04:30 ):

They’re

Salena Thrasher (04:32 ):

Uh <laugh> we need, I went t