ciara

from Oct/Nov 2013 On the Minds of Moms

again

where did the name MODE come from?

My husband and I were sitting at our dining room table trying to decide on a name for this ‘temporary pop up’ store. Jim actually thought of the name. MODE is french for fashion.

is fargo the only MODE store location?

No. MODE Fargo is our only company-owned store. We also have franchised locations in Grand Forks, ND, Bismarck, ND, and Sioux Falls, SD, with franchises under development in Minnesota and Kansas. explain the new franchise business opportunity?

A potential MODE Franchisee has the opportunity to own a MODE store. We give them the opportunity to unlock the vault of MODE business success secrets! They would have the opportunity to buy designer product at a fraction of the original wholesale cost and we give them the chance to bring this up-andcoming retail concept to their own city.

who are you looking to partner with in the franchise model?

We are looking for other women who are ready to be mompreneurs. Women who are willing to work hard and be hands on in their own MODE store. They need to be ready to get involved in a great concept at ground level and help build the MODE brand with other women around the country.

what is a typical day like for you?

Like any business owner, my days are very busy. Because MODE is now not only just a one-store operation in Fargo, but a growing Franchise Brand, a typical day for me includes: connecting with my team members/staff on their departments and projects they have going, talking to prospective franchisees around the country, research on brand development and potential store locations, networking with developers and other business people locally and around the country, talking to designers about product, walking through our Fargo store to make sure it is being efficiently run, and vision casting for MODE company growth. I am on the phone much of the day and generally have my email open and active all day long.

Mompreneur

what makes MODE different?

I know that we have the best product on the market. There is NO other retail concept like MODE in the nation, which makes us very unique. As a store concept: there are boutiques popping up a dime a dozen around the country, but a MODE store sells to the consumer the same products every other boutique is carrying at a fraction of the price. As for product: one of our trademarks is that MODE is the “Home of the $40 Designer Jean” and this is just one example of how MODE constantly works to set ourselves apart from the pack. We are not typical retail. We offer quality, current, sought-after designer product but we offer it to consumers at a price everyone can afford.

what brands/designers do you carry?

Our selection really varies, which makes MODE unique as well. Consumers are constantly surprised when they come into a MODE store by the new designers and products we carry. There are some brands that are a constant but then we are always introducing new designers as well.

what size range do you keep in stock?

We carry xs – 2XL and in our denim we stock sizes 0-16. In our Bismarck and Sioux Falls locations we also carry plus-size denim and apparel. do you have a most popular item that continues to sell out?

Our denim! At $40 our customers know that MODE needs to be their first destination for jeans. Where else can you get 3 pairs of designer jeans for under $150??

where do you see MODE in five years?

In five years MODE will dot the landscape of the Midwest with MODE stores from Winnipeg to Texas. what advice would you give other women considering the mompreneur title?

It’s hard work! You have to be willing to dedicate your life to your business. This doesn’t mean you can’t relax and enjoy time away from work, but you need to realize that to make a business successful it requires sacrifice and you really need to live and breathe it – especially in its infant stage. You need to know and understand your customer and you cannot do this if you detach yourself from your business.

if we peeked inside your closet, what might we be surprised to find?

Stacks of denim!! Or maybe you wouldn’t be surprised! I LOVE jeans! I think you would be surprised to find that my wardrobe is actually quite minimal. Other than my jeans, I purge my closet constantly and keep my wardrobe pieces to a minimum. do you have a strongest mompreneur skill?

My strongest skill I think is being able to take something and add value to it. We did that with our truckload of merchandise and I do that every day with each new opportunity we are presented. I am definitely a glass-half-full type of gal! what is something we might not know about you?

I grew up in Fargo with one sister and was home schooled through high school. Home schooling gave me the opportunity to meet many people and be involved in many opportunities at a young age. what single fashion item should every mom/woman have in her closet?

A good pair of jeans…from MODE, of course. what keeps you motivated?

The obligations I have to others. I take my role and responsibility very seriously.

To my husband: my obligation to be a great wife and best friend to him comes before anything.

To my kids: I want to be a great mom, a fun mom, and I want them to remember that although I LOVE my job I love them more.

To my employees: I want them to have successful careers. I want to keep building a company that one day they will be proud to have been a part of since day one.

To my franchisees: I know what a huge step it is to own a business. I want each of our MODE stores to be 100% successful and so I am constantly looking for ways to improve our model.

To my customers: if it were not for those loyal customers who came through the door on our first day of MODE and have stuck with me, we would not be where we are today. I want to always make MODE a great place for them to shop.

MODE Store Fargo 4302 13th Ave S Fargo [across form TJ Maxx]