Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Porter.
Hi Elissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Fashion and design have always been a part of who I am. For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of opening my own boutique. Over the years, I built a strong foundation in merchandising, product development, and business analysis, working with major brands and helping design and curate apparel. But deep down, I always knew I wanted to create something of my own—a space filled with clothes women truly love, and an environment that felt fun, inspiring, and uplifting.
I named my boutique after my mother’s favorite flower, the beautiful Blue Hydrangea. She passed away from breast cancer and choosing that name felt like the perfect way to honor her memory. Blue hydrangeas also remind me of summers at my grandma’s house in Long Island—warm, happy moments that shaped so much of who I am.
I began by doing pop-ups at festivals and local wine shops while still working in my corporate career. Those events lit me up—I felt completely in my element. My husband noticed how energized and fulfilled I was, and when we heard about an available space in High Point, everything just clicked. It felt like the right time, the right place, and the moment to take the leap. So I did.
Opening Blue Hydrangea Boutique has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. I’ve loved every moment and wouldn’t change a thing. Now, as we celebrate four years in business, I’m incredibly grateful—for this journey, for the community we’ve built, and for the amazing customers who make every day so much fun.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it’s been a fairly smooth journey, but like any small business, there have been challenges. One of the biggest hurdles in the beginning was simply getting our name out there—letting people know we were here and building a consistent customer base. Creating steady foot traffic and visibility takes time, patience, and a lot of behind-the-scenes
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I focus on curating feel-good, comfortable, everyday pieces that women truly love wearing. My background in buying, design, and merchandising has helped me build a strong brand and select a product assortment that’s stylish, wearable, and high-quality.
What sets us apart is the mix of expertise and atmosphere. After years in the corporate world, I finally get to have fun with what I do—and that energy fills the store. Customers feel welcomed, relaxed, and excited to shop.
I’m most proud of the community and brand we’ve created. Seeing women feel confident and happy in our clothes is the best part of what I do.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love working with other small businesses and creators. We’ve hosted multiple community fashion shows with amazing women who volunteer as models, and we regularly bring in small business pop-ups to help showcase new businesses. I’m always open to collaborations—whether it’s events, in-store features, or social media partnerships where we can support and uplift each other.
The best way to support us is to shop small, share our posts, join our events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopbluehydrangea.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_hydrangea_boutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluehydrangeafashion
