BOUTIQUE PROFILES - SEPTEMBER 2021

2021

BOUTIQUE PROFILES SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of select boutique owners in our community. They are trendsetters, setting the bar for excellence and are committed to providing their clientele the very best. Join us as we salute the passion they share for their profession!

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

2021

BOUTIQUE PROFILES SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of select boutique owners in our community. They are trendsetters, setting the bar for excellence and are committed to providing their clientele the very best. Join us as we salute the passion they share for their profession!

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Michelle & Hailey Hadley Hummingbird Boutique

Every small business is personal to the owner, but in Hummingbird Boutique’s case, especially so. For mother-daughter ownership tandem Michelle and Hailey Hadley, the idea behind the store was born out of faith.

“Hailey was a driving force in the concept of Hummingbird Boutique,” Michelle says. “As many teenagers do, she felt lost and frustrated with social challenges during the transition from junior high to high school. She was searching for deeper meaning, wanted to do good things and share her spirituality with others. The Hummingbird Boutique grew out of that.”

The journey from concept to opening turned into a labor of love for the whole family. “Hailey and I were determined to do everything ourselves, even if it meant long days and nights covered in plaster, dust, paint and stain,” Michelle says.

The store reflects the owners’ faith and the simple joys of life that uplift and bless with an eclectic inventory of faith-based merchandise, clothing, gifts, jewelry, and home décor. Hummingbird also carries devotionals and bibles as well as unique gift items.

You can even browse live plants, flowers, and local honey. Not to mention experiencing some of the friendliest and most courteous service anywhere.

“We both feel passionate about being able to share our time, talents and energy by doing something we enjoy and something that’s meaningful,” Michelle says. “We try to treat each person who walks through our door as family or a dear friend. Treating others with love and respect is very important to us because we believe that kindness is contagious.”

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Jordan Geoates Ohsoboho Boutique Built on the belief that size is just a number, Ohsoboho Boutique seeks to highlight the beauty that every woman has.

“I have always been a strong believer that you don’t have to be a Size 2 to be beautiful,” says owner and founder Jordan Geoates, who opened the Fort Smith store last October. “I wanted to give women of all shapes and sizes a judge-free zone by carrying size small through 3X. And, I pretty much have something for everyone’s style.”

The boutique is a dream come true for Jordan, who has wanted to become an entrepreneur for as long as she can remember.

“I have grown up in the boutique world, going to market since I was in a stroller and helping every spring break and summer with my parents’ business, Keep it Gypsy,” she says. “Growing up in this world has given me the opportunity to see the trends before they hit Fort Smith.”

Despite this extensive background, it’s still a surprise to meet Ohsoboho’s owner, who just graduated from high school in May. But talk to her for a few minutes and you quickly realize Jordan is no ordinary teenager, so thoroughly does she understand her business.

“I don’t have a specific audience; I have clothes for every age group no matter what size they are,” she says. “The most unique item in Ohsoboho is our custom graphic tees. I invested in a T-shirt printer that can print on pretty much anything cotton, from jean pockets to Converse.

I personally love to pair T-shirts with a good pair of bell bottoms, but being 5’3” that can be difficult to find. So, I made sure to carry the perfect ‘short girl bell bottoms’ for girls like me.”

The boutique has already grown by two employees – the so-called Boho Babes – including Jordan’s grandmother who adds her seal of approval to her granddaughter’s fashion sense that brings out every customer’s inner bohemian.

“I really enjoy going to market to find the new looks and stay on top of trends. I’ve been around this long enough to know how to get high quality at an affordable price,” Jordan says.

"I love seeing women come out of the dressing room with a huge smile on their face and the instant turnaround in their self-confidence when they have on something from Ohsoboho.

We invite everyone to please come check us out!”

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Samantha Mathews Shop Persnickety During the five years Samantha Mathews spent working at Shop Persnickety, she told herself if the shop ever came open, she’d be first in line to buy it. It was a promise she made good on this spring.

“I had my Grand Opening in May and I haven't looked back since. I'm loving every minute of it,” she says. “My love for fashion and customer relationships is what helped my business launch into what it is today. I'm so thankful for the response I've had, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.”

Samantha’s eye for the unique and her passion for customer service is one big reason Shop Persnickety hasn’t missed a step in the transition.

“It's Shop Persnickety's job to make sure our customers feel welcomed every time they walk in the doors,” she says. “I want every customer to leave our store having a better day than when they walked in."

A native of Greenwood, Arkansas, Samantha graduated from the University of ArkansasFort Smith with degrees in accounting and finance in 2018. But her dream has always been to open a women's clothing boutique. She says she loves everything that involves fashion, shopping, and helping others in her community.

"My target audience is women of all ages. When customers walk in my store, they are looking for clothing and accessories for everything from an event coming up to everyday wear," she says. "I try to have clothing for all shapes, sizes, and ages because it's important to me to make all women feel confident in themselves."

“Something I love more than getting to pick out clothes for my customers is building a relationship with them. It's important to me to get to know my customers’ style and what they want most in their everyday wardrobe.”

Samantha hand-selects nearly everything the store carries and she’s always looking to trends to spot what’s new in women’s clothing. She stocks a wide range of styles from which she curates outfits for women of all ages, sizes and shapes.

“My favorite part about owning a boutique is the joy and confidence I can bring to other women just by helping them pick out an outfit,” she says. “I get to help women get out of their comfort zone and express their true personality just by what they are wearing.”

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Alicia Knox Firefly Boutique & Gifts Van Buren’s downtown district is known for many charming and eclectic shops. But none stand out as clearly as Firefly Boutique & Gifts, nestled into a quaint, welcoming storefront in a century-plus-year-old building.

“One of the most common statements from customers walking in is about the flooring in our shop; they love the flooring,” said Alicia Knox who bought the business from its founders in January. “It is real cedar flooring from a local mill in town. I can’t take credit for that, but I have been putting my own spin and style on the store and clothing since the purchase.”

Alicia, a native of Van Buren, came to the boutique business after some time spent figuring out what she wanted to do as an empty nester. She said the vitality of the neighborhood inspired her to become an entrepreneur.

“With some praying and guidance from my family and friends, I decided to pursue my dreams,” she says. “I was introduced to so many wonderful people in our transition. I truly appreciate the continued support of the community and our customers. I am super grateful.”

“Unique” is the name of the game in the boutique business and Firefly doesn’t disappoint.

“We carry a lot of animal print items; we have a variety of other patterns as well, but we are known for leopard print clothing,” Alicia says. “We also carry shoes, home décor, purses, jewelry, local handmade jewelry, dog items and gifts. Our inventory is definitely not something you would see in a big box retailer; some of our items are from other entrepreneurs as well, which makes them unique.”

“I really listen to the customers and get a feel of what they are looking for. I strive to provide amazing customer service in an inviting atmosphere. I want everyone to leave feeling happy and beautiful and I invite everyone to come see me in the heart of historic downtown Van Buren. Look for the red arrow at 613 Main Street!”

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Christina Catsavis

that turn a house into a warm, inviting home. Surprises lie around

The Smith

“My store truly cannot be defined by one category. Someone

every corner of the store to suit any taste and price range.

can come in and find a $30 candle or a $30,000 piece of jewelry Looking for something new and

and anything in between,” she says. “I imagined The Smith as a

exciting in local retail? Do you fancy

modern-day general store for tastemakers.”

quality décor and jewelry that is anything but ordinary? The Smith

Christina’s contemporary merchandise come with a dose of

Jewelry & Living is playing your song.

old-fashioned customer service. Gift wrap and bridal registry is complimentary, as is curbside pickup and local delivery. She

“My customers are looking for quality products that will last and

even accommodates customers who prefer private shopping or

they also like to see what's new and exciting,” says owner Christina

shopping by Facetime or text.

Catsavis who opened in 2019. “My inventory is unique because I travel all over the country to find new and upcoming designers

“My motto has always been, ‘easier than Amazon,’" she says. “When

and search endlessly for quality handcrafted pieces.”

I first started talking about opening a store, everyone thought I was crazy. But I knew if I provided good customer service and

In addition to jewelry, Christina stocks an array of décor items

made the experience easy and fun, I would succeed.”

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