#Girlboss Advice from a Boutique Owner

The fashion and blogging industry feels like a vicious world sometimes. From people telling size 0 models that they’re too fat to companies only reposting bloggers with certain “looks” it can be disheartening. I know it’s certainly been difficult for me as a blogger and I’ve heard vented frustrations from other bloggers as well.

What if I told you that there was a huge push for bloggers and women entrepreneurs to support one another? I’ve met such lovely girls from blogging and each one has said the same thing “community over competition.” I’m not here to tell you that it gets rid of all the negatives, but it helps you push through them.

That’s why I get so excited when I get the opportunity to collaborate with another company run by a super cool #girlboss who’s working overtime to achieve her dreams. Girl, I’m right there with ya.

I’ve never done an interview before, so I was so excited to interview Abby, the owner of Bold Shoulder! It’s a new company that she started up herself and I hope that you can take away some valuable things from this interview, even if it’s just the inspiration to start your own boutque.

What made you want to start your own boutique?

What made me want to start my own online boutique was I realized I wasn’t excited about anything in my life anymore. I got stuck in the usual routine- work from 9-5, play with my dog, work out (maybe haha), eat dinner, get ready for bed. I wanted to find a creative outlet/hobby that would teach me real like skills that I could work on at my own pace. I also had noticed that almost all online boutiques I had seen were targeted towards the same body type. I wanted to give women of all shapes and sizes cute and affordable clothing. That’s why you’ll see the women in my clothes aren’t models, but my friends. We even plan on bringing in sizes (XL-3XL) in the future. Nobody gets excluded at Bold Shoulder!

What’s been the most challenging part about starting a business?

The most challenging part of start a business was actually all the behind the scenes work that I did a few months before even announcing in to my friends. There’s so many different licenses, taxes, etc. that people don’t see that I applied for and follow up on monthly.

What does it take to open your own business (and be successful)?

It takes a lot to open a business and grow it to become successful one day. I think it takes persistence, savings, patience, and knowledge. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen no matter what obstacles get in the way.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a girl aspiring to start her own business?

One piece of advice I’d give is find someone who already owns a business, and pick their brain for hours. I was really lucky since my step-dad owns his own mortgage business. He knew exactly what numbers to call, what fees to pay, what licenses I needed, etc. I don’t think I would have the shop today if I didn’t have his guidance along the way.

What’s a day in the life of a boutique owner like?

WELL, I will work full time so it makes my days a big longer than most people’s. My weekdays are fairly minimal work in regards to the shop since I’m already so exhausted after the work day. I always make sure to reply to emails/messages and package any orders before going to bed. The weekends are where the real work comes in. This is when I hand-pick items for the shop, do photoshoots, edit photos, upload to the shop, etc. It’s a decent amount or work but it helps that I love doing it and can do it at my own pace.

What’s the best part about running your own store?

The best part of running my own shop is that I stuck to something I wanted, and made it happen. How many times have you told yourself you were going to do something but never ended up doing it? That was me. Everything had an excuse- too tired, too difficult, too expensive, etc. Bold Shoulder is something I wanted so badly that I wasn’t going to let it become one of those things that never gets done.

Your favorite item in the boutique right now?

I’d say my favorite item in the shop right now is definitely our Maisy Gingham Mini! It’s so flattering on that I’ve worn in multiple times since it came in. It’s probably my favorite dress I own period!

Shop the Maisy Gingham Mini HERE

Visit Bold Shoulder Boutique HERE