IT IS MORE THAN A BOUTIQUE
Fashion is not just about wearing clothes; it is a form of self-expression and an opportunity to showcase your unique style. While big retail chains offer convenience, fashion boutiques provide something truly special. Boutiques offer an experience that big retail may never match! Over time, boutique owners have really sharpened their entrepreneurial skills, customer relations, and being active across all circuits of publication. Yes, there are ups and downs that come along with being a sole boutique entrepreneur, but these beautiful ladies defied the odds by providing this and so much more!
Divine Boutique, LLC. (Owner - Charlynn Oglesby)
QSM: How did you start your boutique and how many do you have?
Charlynn: I officially launched my boutique in February 2018. I have always loved fashion and style even as a little girl. I remember always being very neat, and I would want to look my best going to school. As a child we were not fortunate to have the name brand clothes and shoes but I remember my mom would always make sure we were nicely dressed. As I began to grow into a teenage girl I became more intrigued with different styles and how to properly put pieces together even down to the accessories. When I met my husband and moved to his small hometown, the styles and fashion were extremely country and boring. When I would visit the mall there were no trendy pieces for black women and what they did offer was not affordable and certainly not worth the price you would need to pay to own it. I became tired of going in the same store, looking at the same pieces, with the same prices. That is when Divine Boutique was launched. I currently have one online women boutique, but I'm working to expand my brand to so much more. I'm looking to eventually open a brick and mortar but in the right location.
QSM: How do you handle work life balance?
Charlynn: The way I handle balancing work and life is pretty simple now! It wasn't always like that because when I first launched my business, I was in a non-stop grind mode because I felt like in order to grow my business, I wouldn't have time to rest, or enjoy the simple things in life. But I became burned out because I forgot my why! So, I had to go back and re-evaluate, rest, and remind myself of why I was doing this. It is all factored into one reason and one reason only, because I want to see different but not to lose myself, my values, or morals when doing so. I also had to remember I'm most creative when I have those moments of silence or enjoying my husband and family. I had to remind myself this business is replaceable but my family, health and my mind aren't. Running a business can be very stressful and you need those moments where there is silence.
QSM: How do you offer the consumer a shopping experience and do you have repeating customers?
Charlynn: My goal when offering consumers, a shopping experience with Divine Boutique, is to remember I too am a consumer. So, I must remember, how would I want to be treated when I purchase from a brand? My number one pet peeve is customer service. I am very big on great customer service. I don't care how great your products are, if your customer service level is at a zero, I will not spend my hard-earned money with you. I factor all of that in when my customers shop with me. I'm also big on fast shipping. It shouldn't take me 2-3 weeks to receive my order from your business. When my customers patronize my business, they pay for standard shipping which is an allotted time frame of 3-4 business days but 95% of the time their orders are shipped within 24-48 hours from the time the order was placed. I choose quality over quantity when it comes to my styles. I want my customers to know they will not receive inexpensive quality pieces. I believe in those timeless pieces that you can wear repeatedly. And yes, I have several repeat customers. I have customers that have been with me from the beginning because they know they can trust me and my brand. I take pride in that.
At Divine Boutique our sizes range from S-3XL. Our Plus Size Collection was introduced about two years ago. I was connected with my plus size influencer and plus size just took off from there. The Plus Size Collection is where the majority of my sales come from. Which simply blows my mind because I'm not a plus size girl.
The two pieces of advice I would give someone starting a boutique business is know your WHY! Because your WHY is what will keep you going on the days you feel like giving up, or those days you don't have one sale, or those days when it seems no one else can see the vision but you. Secondly, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! I can't scream that enough. Most importantly, Believe in YOU!
Perfect Curves Boutique (Owner - Nicole Monts)
IG: @Perfect_Curves_Boutique_ TikTok: PerfectCurvesBoutique
QSM: How do you offer the consumer a shopping experience and do you have repeating customers?
Perfect Curves Boutique: For me, Customer Service is EVERYTHING! I always put myself in my customers’ shoes. I go above and beyond for each and every customer as if they’re my only customer. Secondly, Yes, I have many repeat customers so repetitive that when I drop a new look I know almost which ones will order what. I am very appreciative of all of my customers; however my repetitive customers hold a special place in my heart.
QSM: How do you grow your social media?
Perfect Curves Boutique: Consistently is key. Even when you don’t want to post or take pictures you have to push through those emotions and do what needs to be done. Gratefully I had the pleasure of meeting an Influencer Britta Tabor who genuinely wants to see her community win! I told her my vision; from that moment on we strategically chose looks for the type of audience I wanted to cater to and organically grew my social media presence.
QSM: How did you start your boutique and how many do you own?
Perfect Curves Boutique: I started Perfect Curves due to the inability to find beautiful professional and Grown & Sexy clothes for the curvy woman that I am. (Small waist, wide hips and thick thighs) I decided to bridge the gap and become that game changer. I currently have one boutique.
QSM: What sizes do you cater to and has plus always been your primary customers?
Perfect Curves Boutique: We have always catered to the plus-size woman, Sizes 1X-3X and some styles 4X.
QSM: What are two pieces of advice you will give to anyone who wants to start a boutique business?
Perfect Curves Boutique: First carefully find a mentor, this will cut your trial and error process in half as your mentor can teach you from their mistakes. Secondly, ensure that your business is structured correctly as this will aid in acquiring business funding and business credit. Lastly, I’m now offering classes on starting a business in 10 steps as well as mentorship.
Real Divas are Large Boutique (Owner - Apri Katsie Lemon)
QSM: What is it like owning a store and managing everything yourself?
Real Divas are Large Boutique: It's extremely hard work. It requires a lot of sacrifice. There are days when things are smooth sailing but there are also days when the ocean is untamable. As you grow in your business, you learn not to skip steps and create programming curated to the needs of your business. This helps tremendously. As you grow in wisdom, you learn to properly assign tasks to individuals that are professional in the field of need.
QSM: How did you start your boutique and how many do you own?
Real Divas are Large Boutique: Oddly enough I created my boutique just selling jewelry and accessories. I was selling Mary Kay and fully employed. People would always compliment my unique taste in jewelry. I always had the heart of an entrepreneur, I thought this would be a fun business to own. Therefore, I did some research on wholesale. I created a website, and maybe a year or so after, I started a boutique with my sister. The vision was, she would sell clothing and I would sell jewelry. Having a name like Real Divas are Large (the name was chosen because the vision was to cater to women with large features in the jewelry and accessory realm; longer necklaces for wider necks, stretchy bracelets, and rings to guarantee a good fit) because it was nearly impossible just assumed we sold plus size clothing. So, they were a little disappointed coming into the store with clothes they couldn't fit. I looked up and down for pieces I would be proud to sell, but the task was daunting. I almost gave up until I discovered wholesalers that offered trendy and edgy fashion for plus size women. I believe this was 2013, and we have sold unique clothing, accessories, and jewelry ever since. I have one boutique currently, but it is serviced on 6 platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook where you can order items directly from Meta shops.
QSM: How do you handle work, life balance?
Real Divas are Large Boutique: This is a struggle for me because I started this business in 2011, so I am so invested in the success of this business. It wasn't until 5 years ago, when I was mentally and physically exhausted due to challenges that I experienced in my personal life, that I stood firm on taking care of my spirituality first, myself second, family third and business after that. That may seem odd to some, but I was on the brink of losing everything I worked so hard for. I had to create balance to not sustain my business but also thrive. I make time to refill my spirit because that's the driving force of it all. I am religious with self-care, so that I can show up 100% for my family and career. I make time for sowing into my family because when they are good, I am great. Finally, my business requires so much of me when my tank is on F, there is no limitation on where I can take Real Divas are Large.
QSM: How do you offer the consumer a shopping experience and do you have repeating customers?
Real Divas are Large Boutique: I enjoy catering to my clients. I get so much pleasure from their satisfaction. I pride myself on a great experience because of my own personal expectations when I spend my coins. I listen to hear the needs of my client. I make sure that the pieces are pristine upon arrival. I fold items to ensure that the client feels the love that was put in on every online order. I always look my best when engaging with my clients because I want them to see that I am proud of being a boutique owner. Most importantly, my customer service is unmatched. I treat every client with superior service. That is what I feel keeps them coming back year after year.
