Owner
Cat’s Creations Scrapbooks, Mineral Wells

“When I began my scrapbook store business in August of 2004, I wanted to design my own Web site. At the time, I was teaching health and information management classes at Mountain View College, and I also wanted to learn how to put my own class online. I learned both in Gemmy Allen’s eCommerce class — it was so comprehensive that it included not only marketing techniques but Web design and so much practical information.

“As a student, I really appreciated the laid-back, self-paced learning atmosphere in Gemmy’s class. She always made us look at things from different angles, and everything I learned has helped me in my business. The scrapbooking store that I started as a side interest to teaching has grown so fast that it will soon be my primary business. I opened the store with 1,600 square feet and just over two years later have already expanded to 3,200 square feet. We not only have supplies and instruction, but offer scrapbooking retreats and are already signing up customers for a scrapbooking cruise to the Caribbean in November 2007.

“My customers call us ‘the biggest little scrapbook store west of the metroplex.’ I’m just glad I was able to learn the Web design skills I needed for my business so quickly and easily in the DCCCD.”

Cathy Beaty is the owner of Cat’s Creations Scrapbooks in Mineral Wells, west of Fort Worth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in medical records administration from Texas Woman’s University and taught health and information management classes for many years. She learned the Web design skills she needed for her scrapbooking store in an eCommerce class taught by DCCCD faculty member Gemmy Allen, who was then teaching at Mountain View College but has since moved to North Lake College. Visit the Cat’s Creations Scrapbooks Web site or call the store at 940-327-0713 for more information about upcoming events, retreats or the scrapbooking cruise.