Dream Chasers: b. lovely

This is a very fun and special edition of Dream Chasers, because I get to feature a friend. Her name is Lyndsey and she runs the boutique b. lovely. We got introduced by a mutual friend and I have not only loved shopping her pieces, but getting to know the lady behind the store; seeing her passion and drive to make it succeed!

You currently can shop b. lovely on Instagram or Facebook --all you have to do is comment on the picture of the piece you like, and she will send you a Paypal invoice, and get the item sent out! It is really simple and fun--she is also working a new website--so look for that in the future!

These sequins pants from b. lovely are now going to be in serious rotation in my closet, you can dress them up or down! And, any excuse to add a little sparkle to my day is a good thing in my book :)

So without further ado--

{Pants: c/o b. lovely} {Cardi: Target} {Necklace: Loft}

{Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington} {Shoes: Gianni Bini identical}

1. Tell me about your business and why you choose to get into this field of work?

b.lovely has been a dream of mine since I was in middle school. Of course there's been some tweaking of what that dream looked like but I always knew I wanted to own my own business (when I was little I used to sketch plans for all kinds of businesses I want/wanted to own) and knew I wanted to sell items I was excited and passionate about. In high school I really started to get into fashion and playing with different looks, I never really had a specific "look" I would gravitate towards, I loved being someone different everyday based on my mood; one day I could dress preppy, the next day bohemian, the next day rocker, etc. Throughout college I really started to fine tune the dream and realized owning a boutique was what I really wanted to do, especially after I ran my blog (thats sadly been abandoned due to time constraints but feel free to check it out www.alovelylittleblog.com) I became all my friends, co-workers, families go-to person about fashion advice and where to find something. I myself have always been a big boutique shopper, I love the experience of shopping in boutiques and I knew that was the kind of experience I wanted to have on a regular basis. I love knowing my customers names, and thier tastes, I love knowing when I get a new item in which of my customers to alert based on thier tastes and preferences. It becomes such a wonderful relationship and something I truly love doing. 

2. Is this your full time job or do you have 9-5?

Unfortunately at this time I work a few jobs to pay the bills, and b.lovely is my full time passion project. b.lovely just celebrated its one year birthday in December 2014 so there is a lot planned for 2015/2016 a far as expanding and opening a physical store front. I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me to do b.lovely whenever it is needed, but I can't wait till the day I can focus solely on b.lovely and really give it all my energy. 

3.What is the most rewarding part of owning your own business?

Honestly I would have to say my customers. I have only been in business for a little over a year and the people I have met have been so outstanding. I love getting to know them, what they like and don't like. I love being able to help them feel confident or step out of thier comfort zone by trying new things. Obviously it is great owning your own business as well because its empowering, it feels good to give back to my community, and I only have myself to answer to, or myself standing in my own way of moving up on the ladder. 

4. What are some challenges you have faced?

There are always challenges in owning your own business. I started this business with all my own money. I did not crowd fund, or take out a loan, I worked really hard at my job (and still do) so I could make b.lovely a reality and my full time job. It's really hard when you work full time, and sometimes the last thing I have energy to do is more work, but it helps that it is work I love and am passionate about. With b.lovely not having a physical storefront (and not having the time to run a fully functioning eCommerce site) it is also hard to think of new ways to reach new customers, and get the shops name out there, but thankfully there are lots of wonderful local business that support each other, and bloggers like you who support local business owners like me!

5. What advice would you give someone looking to start their own business?

Do it! If you have a vision and a dream, just do it! You will never feel "ready", there will always be something else that could be better or perfected but you can improve upon those things as time goes on. In just one year I have already learned so much about my business, and am so glad I stopped waiting for the right time, or more money, or whatever other excuses I was using to hold myself back and just went for it. 

6. What is your favorite item in your shop? 

Oh man, that is truly hard because as the buyer I obviously love all my items!! My favorite all time item would probably be this open knit sweater from last season - though no longer in stock :( but i have a lot of other favorites along the way including this quirky watermelon top from the summer, this body-con dress, and some new arrivals I'm really excited to share at the Pop-Up Shop on February 11!

P.s. All my local ladies--Lyndsey offers trunk shows!! She literally brings the shop to your house (or anywhere you choose) and you and friends can shop until you drop--its super fun (I had on for my 27th birthday this year!). The hostess can also earn up to 30% depending on the sales of the party. 

She is also hosting a Valentines trunk show on February 11th at a local tanning salon in Stow, Ohio that is open to the public--you can find the event info by clicking HERE! I plan on going--so let me know if you decide to join!

Linked with:
Random Wednesday, WIWW, GYPO, Mid-Week Muse, Style Me Weekly, O Hey Girl

oxox,