REALLY?? THAT'S IT....

Ok....so i have decided that interviewing employees or owners at boutiques is NOT all too helpful. they either don't want to give too much information or i just get side-tracked with trying on clothing...haa haa...just kidding.

today i went into a boutique and spoke to the owner. she told me that most of her customers come from off of the street-walking by-and from their website. My thought was that second avenue is a prime location for boutiques. i can name 6 off the top of my head in an 8 block span. with respect to this boutique in particular, they are very new (only a year old) and are located three storefronts down from another boutique SAADA which has been there for many years now. With that in mind, I would assume that they share a lot of customers.

Since non brand name clothing stores like boutiques are new to everyone, unless people enter your store, its difficult that they would find your stores website without even knowing you exist. 

KITSON and LA boutique started out just like any other unrecognizable shop. Now they are everywhere. they have press in most magazines like OK! & People magazines. Their clothing has been seen on many celebrities and many celebrities shop in their store. They have become such a great name because they hired a PR firm. 

my newest addition or necessity for when i open my boutique is that i must factor in a great sum of money towards a Public Relations firm! This is the only way to get my name out and obtain customers!!

DONE AND DONE

St. Maarten was AMAZING...reality is just OK

When you go from 80 degree weather for a week and are immediately placed into 40 degree weather...something about that 40 degree drop just doesn't sit well with anyone. either way...that is life and we must face it!

with respect to my impending business...the reality and thoughts that surround that are never-ending. One of the most important things one must think about when providing a product to consumers is what's the target market. a Target market is exactly what it sounds like. it is the market that one is trying to sell to. it is the market segment that I would be trying to attrack with what i can provide them. Target market is based upon age, gender, geography and other demographics.

Since my entreprenurial venture is going to be owning my own Manhattan based boutique, the target market is very important. Having been born and raised in Manhattan, having the store also be in Manhattan is an absolute must. With respect to my target market, i will carry clothing for women ages 18-55. I don't mean to sound naive but I really believe that it doesn't matter what age you are, you should wear whatever looks good on you and makes you feel good. That is why the range of women who can shop at my boutique is so wide. Although I will carry things for most ages, my primary target market would be for women ages 18-35. Because i cannot stand stores that sell me crap...excuse my french, i will be shopping for a higher end clothing, so the price points of my clothing will be higher than that of the GAP or Old Navy. my prices will be more in line with clothing sold at Bloomingdales and other boutiques. 

OHHHHHHH so much to fathom.  The reality is....unless this economy picks up....there's really no room for upscale boutiques. pray for me.