From menus stuck in doorways to suspicious individuals selling cleaning products door to door, local residents are wary of solicitors. Though many Prince William residents have chosen to live in secure communities run by homeowner associations, or incorporated towns that ban residential door-to-door solicitation, nothing short of living in a gated community appears to keep these uninvited guests away. That is why Victory Lakes resident Heather Starr Cress is selling “No Soliciting” signs to her neighbors as an extension of her
Thistle & Sage business which sells decorative and custom décor via
Facebook. “I have sold about 50 within the last few days. I was motivated by my own desire to reduce and/or eliminate solicitors frequenting my own home and the homes of my friends and neighbors,” Starr Cress said. Starr Cress believes this is an easy and efficient way to decline solicitors without evening having to answer your door. “These decals will be a clear message to all solicitors, permit-holding or not, that we are not interested in door-to-door sales and we will not be opening our doors,” Starr Cress said. As fewer people open their homes to solicitors, Starr Cress believes home owners will be safer; since opening the door to solicitors gives them a peak into one’s residence. Starr Cress said she has had her own uncomfortable interactions with solicitors and would appreciate they respect the desires of homeowners as well as neighborhoods that are "No Soliciting". However, she also recognizes people in western Prince William take pride in their homes. That is why she created aesthetic, nonthreatening signs that she felt would add, rather than subtract, from a home’s curbside appeal.
“My "No Soliciting Please" decals are beautiful and complement your home, while also sending the message to solicitors that we are not interested with door-to-door sales,” Starr Cress said. Decals typically sell for $7 a piece, but she is currently selling them for $5 a piece until March 15. Starr Cress first marketed her decals over the Victory Lakes Facebook page, but knew there was a desire for them in her larger neighborhood as well. For residents who want to make a stronger statement, she also offers “No Trespassing" decals. Starr Cress describes these as, “decals to send a stronger message, but that are complimentary to your home and appealing to the eye.” “These decals will be a clear message to all solicitors, permit-holding or not, that we are not interested in door-to-door sales and we will not be opening our doors,” Starr Cress said.[/pullquote] Starr Cress began Thistle & Sage began in August 2010 when she offered to create some of the decor for her friend's wedding. After that, she thought she would try her hand creating an Etsy shop and was encouraged when her first items sold within two hours of opening. “I knew I was onto something at that point,” Starr Cress said. While she still runs her Etsy shop, currently the majority of her orders come from her
Thistle & Sage Facebook page. Her business goal is to provide beautiful accent pieces for a person’s home, business or vehicle as well as to create custom décor signs and artwork. She will also work with clients to create unique pieces and realize their vision as well.
And, while Starr Cress likes to offer special promotions to her Bristow neighbors, she has done business all over the country. One of Thistle & Sage's most memorable signs was in remembrance of the Harbor Light Pub in Rockaway, NY, which was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. “Often called the 'Cheers' of Rockaway, the Harbor Light Pub had been established in 1980 and was leveled to just rubble,” said Starr Cress. “It was a hard loss for the area," she said, especially because the restaurant had been dedicated to the owner's brother who had lost his life in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Now, Starr Cress hopes to expand her business, while providing a much appreciated product to her community at an affordable price. Please contact
Thistle & Sage to place an order.
