Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Padula
Hi Libby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am Libby Padula, my passion has been creating a beautiful home. I have collected french antiques and various pieces of art for years. I always wanted to open a housewares boutique to share my passion with others. I chose to raise my children first, which will always be my greatest blessing in life. As our youngest approached eighteen and our girls were grown and gone I decided to just do it ! I remember it was July 2022, I was officially in that “next stage” of life and I made the decision to go all in. By September, I was shopping in France starting to fill my first 40 foot container to ship back.
Since I did not have any experience in this process, I hired a company that specializes in helping guide Americans through the process of shopping for and shipping back their hand-selected treasures. My trip was a ten day whirlwind. I flew through the night from RDU to Paris. I swear I was the only passenger on the plane that didn’t sleep. After the ordeal of customs I took a taxi to my hotel arriving around 10 AM France time. My guide picked me up at 10:30 .and we went straight to the Paris Flea Market. I shopped in Paris three days, each evening being dropped off at my hotel. My favorite thing to do was walk next door to the local market and get some cheese, a baguette, fruit, water and wine. I would review all of my purchases making sure I was on budget. On the afternoon of the third day I took the train to the South of France to Toulon where I would stay and shop all over the South for the next five days. We shopped in Toulon, Aix en Provence, St. Remy, Avignon, Marseille and L’ Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. I succeeded in filling the container with hand-selected items, now it was time to go home and search for a retail space.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always struggles in any new adventure. My inventory was paid for so I was anxious to find the perfect retail space and get the container on the water. Finding a retail space proved to be much more difficult than anticipated. I needed a large enough space but still centrally located. After looking in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, Pittsboro and Apex. I decided on the new Highline building in the heart of historic downtown Apex. I would then need to upfit the space which took several months. On September 18th exactly one year after my buying trip I was able to move into the space and start creating what is now French Bleue.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before starting French Bleue, I was a stay at home Mom for twenty five years. It was my greatest honor and privilege and I have three amazing children.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
It takes a lot of faith to start a business from the ground up. I’ll admit, I am scared most of the time but I have to remind myself that French Bleue is a combination of the two gifts God has given me, creating beautiful spaces and loving on people. It seems whenever I get down or anxious God brings someone in to the store to encourage me.
Pricing:
- We are a high-end housewares boutique
- This is not Pottery Barn or Arhaus
- We source one of a kind pieces
- These pieces add interest and history to a home
Contact Info:
- Website: https://frenchbleue.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchbleue/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrenchBleueHome/
