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By Jessica McMahan
Walk In Wonders is a retail outlet store located at 329 Business HH in Piedmont. They sell a wide variety of items in the store and inventory is always changing so you can always expect something new.
Walk in Wonders has been in business for 3 years now at this location, after starting their journey one year prior when owner Ashley Gee and her husband Tommy began selling out of the storage sheds next to Piedmont Gas Mart in town. Gee states, “Being an entrepreneur wasn’t really a choice I had sat down and thought about. Growing up we always participated in family businesses. Working as a child for family businesses I had always known one day I would own my own business. So I guess what really inspired me to become a business woman in Piedmont would be the values that had been instilled in me as a child early on.  I don’t have much of a background to be honest. I never completed high school, but I didn’t want my success to be limited to the idea that I needed schooling. I felt I could still be successful as long as I was willing to work hard. Everything that I do is a learning experience and I just continue to grow from it. My family inspires me to hit the ground running each morning! Everything I do is always for my family. They are my inspiration to do and be better every day.”
Gee said she started her business because she wanted a better life for herself and her family. They decided to try and start flipping resale on the side, but quickly learned they needed a store location to truly be successful. According to Gee, the business’  biggest win would be when they were able to get into their store location. “There was a local shop closing up. When we had heard they were moving out of their current location we jumped on the opportunity to move our business from the storage sheds to an actual store front location. At the same time, this would be our biggest risk. We threw all of our time and resources into our business to start it. If we weren’t successful, I would have had to face the failure of my business. Thankfully with the support of our community and surrounding communities the business was successful and we’re able to continue to serve our community.”
The Gee family also homeschool,  so any time they’re not working, they are out on an adventure! “We love to get away and explore places we’ve never been.” When they can’t get away the family loves staying home cuddling with critters and watching tv.
“I don’t try to think of my business as competitive towards other businesses. We try to focus on our success and growth and we wish other businesses all the success they can achieve.” Walk in Wonders is open 7 days a week from 10AM-1AM “but we are usually open much later than 1AM because we don’t close until the last customer leaves for the night.”