Get in loser we're going shopping with Wild Bohemian Boutique!!

Today I am highlighting a small business in Indiana, Wild Bohemian Boutique, and I will be highlighting the ins and outs of what the world of retail and entrepreneurship is like for Allison Behr.

Name: Allison Behr Store name: The Wild Bohemian Boutique Store address: 84 S 9th Street, Noblesville IN Store website: wildbohemian.com Store Instagram: @thewildbohemianbtq

When did you open the store: We started the store as an open travel pop-up. We started our brick boutique four and a half local festivals ago!

Number of full-time employees:  We have three full-time employees.

What do you sell in your store: We sell bohemian-inspired clothing and tons of unique, handcrafted jewelry and accessories. Think fun turban headbands, crystal, and natural stone jewelry and the perfect gift items too. Maxi dresses, kimonos, and graphic tees are just a few of our everyday go-to looks. We love carrying unique brands that most people have never heard of. We also carry well known and recognizable brands like Free People and Billabong. Most of all, we curate all our clothing with all women in mind because every shape & size should be celebrated!

Previous jobs/ventures: I knew owning my own shop was my destiny since I was a young teenager, but I started my career path in a cooperate sales job, working my way through college. I definitely was on track to make more money than I could ever imagine, but you know, that wasn’t as important as taking a chance on a dream, so that’s whats I did!

Why did you decide to open your own storefront? Traveling around the state and setting up shop every weekend started to feel more like “work.” I knew it was time to open my own storefront when I stopped looking forward to traveling every weekend. I enjoy pouring all my time, energy, and love into this business and not have to pack up and move every 48 hours.

Do you have an online store as well? Yes! In fact, that’s been a huge focus for us this year. We’ve dedicated our time and resources to giving our online babes the same experience they would get in-store. We just launched our new website in February and you can find us at wildbohemian.com.

List five skills/qualifications that you think are important to have before launching a storefront? It’s important to learn, outsource, and consistently improve yourself as a person and a leader. Learning and understanding new aspects of your business are crucial. For example, sure, I’m not an accountant, but I need to learn those skills so I can make the best financial decisions for my business. I’m not a marketing expert either, but better believe it’s important for me to keep up with marketing trends. Sometimes you just have to be okay with outsourcing and turning over a part of your business to an expert. Next, being relatable. If you can’t relate to your audience, you might struggle to find your place.

What’s the most effective marketing tool that you’ve been using recently? Instagram and Pinterest actually, but we’re currently learning more about how Facebook ads work. I think that being a good human, being relatable and treating your audience as though they are friends helps too!

What’s more important when opening a storefront: Location, having a nice cash cushion, or having a lot of retail experience? Why? Hmmm, all the above haha. Honestly, I started with nothing. I spent 100 dollars making inventory to sell at the farmers market and with my earrings, I went and bought more materials. I repeated that week after week and year after year until I was ready to open my own shop, so I say it’s about starting with what you have and building on that.

How do you decide which vendors/products/brands you want to carry in your store? We shop for quality, uniqueness, size inclusiveness and obviously items that fit our look and style. Knowing if something will sell and knowing your brand are two very different things. We shop for what is true to us as a company and brand.

Do you work with vendors on a consignment basis? We love to carry small shop items and handmade items. We try to really find a fair wholesale price from those shop owners; in fact, some of our favorite items in the shop are handcrafted candles, dream catchers, macrame, and jewelry.

Do you carry any local vendors/brands? Why/Why not? Yes! That’s our favorite. We love working with local brands to create something exclusively for our store that customers won’t find anywhere else.

What’s the biggest challenge you face in running your business? I’m definitely working all the time. My brain is in constant work mode. I’m always thinking of ways to better serve my customers and grow my business. That’s definitely a struggle sometimes. I’d also say it’s letting go and letting God do the rest. Sometimes I can do everything “right,” but just don’t get the results for my business that I was looking for. Usually, that’s when something greater is going on.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of opening their own storefront? Don’t compare your own journey to others around you. Stay true to your and you’re brand. I say test, test test! Test your market and your audience. Start small while you’re learning early and gradually build your brand. Slow and steady is okay. In fact, I think it’s the way to go. Be willing to be okay with falling down. Just make a promise to yourself to get back up, time and time again.

What advice would you give to an up-and-coming brand looking to build a strong relationship with a retailer? Start by getting to know the retailer you want to pitch to. Follow them. Learn who they are and who they serve. Then if you think that retailer is someone you think you want to work with, know how you can add value to their business and lead with that.

Get with the flow and shop with Wild Bohemian Boutique! Check out their website and follow them on Instagram for the latest fashion finds!

Tags from the story Fashion, indy boutique, interviews, pattern internship, retail101

My Style: Tone Classic

Photography by Jeanie Stehr

Tone Classic has a passion for keeping his style vibrant yet timeless.  His interest in the creative industry leads him to his love for fashion, styling others, modeling, fashion photography, and creating unique content for his rapidly growing YouTube channel and social platforms.  As a jack of all trades, Tone Classic lives by several statements, perhaps the most important one being “live to express, not impress.” 

Name: Anthony (ToneClassic) Residence: Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: By day I’m a Marketing & Communications Specialist. By night I’m a writer, content creator, and blogger. Where did you grow up? My beloved hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Hardly home, but always reppin!  What is your earliest memory of a noticeable interest in fashion? Growing up I loved getting dressed for church. If you have grown up in or are familiar with black church culture, then you know the true meaning of the term ‘Sunday’s best.’ Each Sunday was a new opportunity for me to try and put something stylish together, and I have vivid memories of my parents’ friends saying things like, “Your son is always dressed so sharp!” 

Who or what influences your style? My style is heavily influenced by androgyny, as well as the change of seasons. I first started wearing “women’s” clothing when I realized that their jeans are sometimes longer, and fit better than men’s jeans. An old model friend of mine gave me that tip back in college. After that, I realized that clothing is just clothing. There’s no rulebook that says you can’t wear a specific garment because of who it was originally intended for. People are truly shocked when they compliment me on an item that I’m wearing, only to find out that it’s actually a women’s shirt/blazer/bag/etc. The change of seasons is also very influential for me because it allows me to practice the art of adaptation. Sure, it may be easier for some to throw a stylish ensemble together in the fall or winter, because you’re able to incorporate several layers and weighted accessories. But what about when summer comes along, how does your style hold up when you take all of those layers away? What are your favorite Instagram accounts to follow? They change often because my interests change. However, right now I’m enjoying @hillhousevintage and @virgomood. Hillhouse Vintage is a woman from the United Kingdom, with a passion for the English country aesthetic. Her page is truly a gem! Virgo Mood is your typical Tumblr-Esque IG aesthetic page. It’s a great source for gaining inspo and feeding your innermost pre-Y2K fantasy.

Describe your personal style in four words or one phrase. Classic

What’s your go-to item in your closet? This is a good question. I’d probably have to say my Telfar bag, sometimes referred to as the Brooklyn Birkin.

Who are your favorite designers, and what do you like about their designs? I don’t know that I have a particular favorite, but I do love looking at Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s Instagram. Their items lie at the intersection of creativity and gender fluidity, which is what I’m all about when it comes to fashion. Did you ever consider leaving the Indy area? Yes! Though I have some things I’m working on before I do.

What’s making you stay? Family and my work are why I’m here for now.

What trends are you noticing for summer fashion? Though this may be a trend from last year, I’m noticing an abundance of large, dramatic accessories–Straw hats and bags specifically. I’m all for it! What are your trend predictions for fall fashion? I’m predicting a season full of colorful, unconventional trench coats. I live for a trench coat!

What short and long term goals are on your list? I’d love to go back to school and obtain a Master’s degree, as well as devote more time to my writing. Toneclassic.org is a blog that combines my fashion with my most authentic life experiences. I want to get back to updating my blog more often, and utilizing my newsletter to keep people involved and informed. I also have plans to launch some new exciting content on my YouTube Channel! I also would love to get back into modeling. I’ve taken somewhat of a sabbatical, but I’m ready to get back into the groove of it all.

Define fashion. Fashion is my way of simultaneously saying everything and nothing at all.

What’s next for you? Only time will tell. Stay up to date with Tone Classic on Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, and his website!

Q & A With Desert Flower Accessories

Terri Williams is a local educator and rising entrepreneur who has spent much of her time developing what was once a hobby into a sustainable jewelry brand–Desert Flower Accessories. Her craftsmanship features intricate editorial designs made out of unconventional everyday items. Stringing together her personality, perseverance, and undeniable talent, Terri never imagined Desert Flower Accessories would serve as her gateway into the world of fashion. In the span of just two years, Desert Flower Accessories has been featured in Indiana Fashion Week 2019 as well as Volume 16 of PATTERN Magazine. 

Alyseah Simone Ruggs: What inspired you to name your business Desert Flower Accessories? 

Terri Williams: In 2004 I remember helping my church come up with a name for women’s ministry. I prayed and prayed for the perfect name and the words ‘desert flower’ kept reappearing in my head. I was thinking ‘no way desert flowers would be a good name’. When I think of a desert I think barren, dead, land of no return; but later that day I did some research about desert flowers. 

I saw such beautiful and resilient images of flowers of all species. It is mind-blowing to know that such beautiful flowers can thrive for up to 15 years in an area of land that hardly seems to foster life. This realization taught me that even when the odds are against you, anyone and anything can bloom in difficult environments and hard times. 

I told my pastor about the name but he insisted that Desert Flower was destined for something beyond the walls of the church. At first, I was offended but it wasn’t until later on that I would realize how much that name was going to impact my life. 

ASR: What makes Desert Flower Accessories sustainable, how does that translate into your designs? 

TW: It’s important for me to play a role in reducing my own carbon footprint. I take pride in knowing my business is sustainable. I successfully found a way to take unconventional materials and upcycle, repurpose, customize, and embellish them into beautiful wearable art. I make everything by hand. Some of my work consists of creating fashionable ‘glam gloves’, masquerade masks, painted sweatshirts, choker necklaces, and more. I use repurposed belts, T-shirts, tires, old rugs– you name it! 

I’ve recently found a way to use cardboard in my designs! Cardboard is one of the most difficult materials to break down and it’s creating a large problem for global warming. I’m still working on unique ways to rework cardboard but you will find that my latest earrings on social media have mostly been made from the material. 

My creations are what fuels my obsession with runway accessories, and helps me learn more about the fashion industry. Before I started my business I had no idea Chanel was even an accessories designer, I have come to truly admire her work!

ASR: What experience has impacted your business the most? 

TW: A friend, Stephanie Anderson, hosted a large vending event at Pike High School and asked me to take part. I was just getting started and I was so excited. My daughter helped me make the experience amazing. I had the chance to connect with people face to face and really start getting Desert Flower Accessories out into the world. I made so many connections and met the most beautiful, stylish women. That was the start for me. 

I later had a chance to be a vendor at a Ritz Charles event and met Nikki Blaine. At the time I had no idea who Nikki Blaine was but I knew she was showing her work in the fashion show. A gentleman, whose name I don’t remember, told me about her. He looked at me and said, “designers would love to put your designs in their show”. I didn’t believe him and thought he was crazy yet I found myself walking over to Nikki’s table to introduce myself. As quick as you could snap your fingers my work was on the runway with Nikki Blaine’s designs. I was OUT. OF. MY. MIND.

ASR: In your adolescent years, who or what did you imagine yourself becoming? How has that led you to where you are today? 

TW: Back in the 70s I was shredding, slicing, and dicing T-shirts. My friends would come to my house before we would go dancing and they’d have me rework their outfits. I’ve been making things all my life. I didn’t realize that even way back then I was a designer!

ASR: You are a teacher and an entrepreneur. How do you balance your time? 

TW: Because of the school calendar, we get several breaks and days off throughout the year which gives me lots of flexibility. Teaching has taught me how important it is to prep. Throughout the year I have time to write down new ideas and gather materials. By the time break comes I have a clear vision of what needs to get done!

I love to push myself but I know when to rest. I think if I was stressed about this business then it wouldn’t be fun. I also don’t say yes to everything. “No” is NOT a bad word. You have to know what you can handle and move accordingly. 

ASR: What do you think makes Desert Flower Accessories so unique? 

TW: I haven’t seen too many people around me do what I do- take unconventional items and create runway accessories–if so tell me where they are because I need pointers! But the passion I put into each piece, combined with the connections and collaborations I have made have given me and my business a unique authenticity. 

As a growing brand, one thing that I admire is the connections I make with my customers. There is nothing like seeing the joy on people’s faces when they see my work and they learn that the materials I used are made from the unthinkable. That joy and satisfaction are what I want Desert Flower Accessories to embody. 

ASR: Desert Flower Accessories has shown rapid growth over the span of two years, what setbacks have you experienced as you claim your spot in the fashion industry? 

TW: One of the biggest setbacks is proper representation. I would love to see accessory designers in the spotlight. We should be treated with the same respect and recognition as clothing designers– especially at events or runway shows. Those of us who create accessories for the show are designers too and we work hard. If I incorporate my creations into the looks of a designer’s show, I would at least love to see my name in the program. It’s vital for people to know who I am so that I can continue my brand outreach.

ASR: What do the next 3-5 years look like for Desert Flower Accessories? 

TW: I’ve never been a person that could think super far ahead but I have this fantasy that the world will see my work. I love that fantasy and it will become a reality. I know it! 

I work hard on my creations–really hard to create beautiful intricate durable pieces. I want the price to reflect the quality. People think because it’s made from used or recycled materials that my prices should be lower. 

In these upcoming years, I want to develop a clearer image of what Desert Flower Accessories is. I think that will help me discover who my target consumer is. I won’t sell myself short. I am aiming to be a high fashion designer. I want my clients to view my work and know that it’s worth the purchase no matter the cost.  

I also see myself showing a collection in a big show, but not as featured work. I will represent myself. I envision my models on the runway dressed in black. My pieces will shine bright, from the colors to the way they move; my work will exude beauty, it will look like nothing you’ve seen before! 

Follow Terri Williams’s journey with Desert Flower Accessories on Instagram