When people think of working at a boutique, they usually picture trying on cute clothes or helping customers find the perfect outfit. And while that's definitely part of it, I've learned firsthand that there's so much more going on behind the scenes; especially when it comes to choosing what makes it onto the floor in the first place.
Working at Standards has opened my eyes to the business side of fashion in ways I never expected. One of the biggest surprises? How many hard decisions go into buying and selecting the product. It's not just about picking things that look good, it's about forecasting trends, knowing what the customers will actually buy, staying within the budget, and taking risks that hopefully pay off. Every single item hanging on the racks were chosen with thought and intention.
Watching Lisa make those choices has been one of the coolest parts of my experience. She thinks through every angle; will it fit our customer base? Is it versatile? What size range is realistic? Will it work with what we already have in store? Sometimes a piece is adorable but doesn't make sense for the shop, and that's a tough call to make.
Having the opportunity to be a part of a small business like this has taught me that every detail matters. There's strategy behind the style, and every decision; from the lighting in a dressing room to color of a sweater, it impacts the customer experience. I'll never look at shopping or running a business the same way again.
P.S. We dropped some amazing new arrivals from our last launch that displays exactly what I'm talking about. You now might see the boutique through a new lens too!
Remember, strong women don't have attitudes, we have standards.
Grace
