Exploring Life & Business with Stephanie Sikes of Closet Sikeology

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Sikes.

Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Although my business is just a little over a year old, my story starts about seven and a half years ago. I’m a wife and mom to four kids. When our fourth child was born, we decided it made the most financial sense for me to stay at home with our kids. While I felt a great sense of purpose and value being the primary caregiver to our children, I still desired to contribute to our family finances.

I found a home in the direct sales industry and discovered my passion for helping women feel their best and gain confidence. I learned I’m a natural-born leader and when I make up my mind to accomplish a goal, there’s nothing that can stop me. About two years ago, I realized that what I had learned in the direct sales industry could help me fulfill my years-long dream of having my own store.

When shopping in stores and online, I found myself frustrated with the inability to find more than 1 or 2 pieces that spoke to me. Tired of not finding my “look” and tired of standing in front of my closet never really loving everything in there, gave birth to the idea to curate a “closet” of pieces that I not only love but that I think others will love too. In July 2020, after months of planning, researching, building my own website, and building a presence and community on social media, I launched my online boutique, Closet Sikeology. Starting a business in the middle of a pandemic really didn’t stress me out like it probably would have most. At the time, most people’s preferences were to shop online, so that played in my favor quite a bit.

Having supportive friends has played an integral part in the growth of my business. As things started to open back up, I decided to start doing a few pop-up markets here and there. Our friends, Brandon & Stephanie Schenck, owners of Yacht Club Beverage House in Youngsville, have hosted almost all of those. We joined forces to start a monthly pop-up market featuring other small businesses and live music.

Another friend of mine (and fellow boss mama), Tiffani Woodlief, reached out to me about taking over her booth lease at The Cotton Company. I loved the idea of local customers being able to shop in person seven days a week and still having the online element. Closet Sikeology found a new home there in March and my business instantly started growing. We were recently nominated for Wake Weekly’s Best of the Best and because of our amazing customers, we won!

In late June, I received an email from the manager at The Cotton Company about a concept for a new boutique marketplace she was going to be starting. White Street Boutique would be a place where women could come to shop several different independent boutiques in one place, giving customers a plethora of choices in styles and sizes. I loved the idea and couldn’t wait to be a part of it. We have been in our new home there for just over a month and the support has been incredible!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Success is definitely not linear. Being a relatively new business, there have definitely been plenty of challenges since starting. Shipping delays, event cancellations, learning customers’ likes, battling algorithms, having four kids at home from school while trying to build a business, and being a one-woman show are just some of the struggles I’ve dealt with.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I believe that what we wear adds to our confidence, empowers us, and reflects our personality. The idea behind starting Closet Sikeology came from frustration with my personal shopping experience and never finding clothes that really spoke to my soul and reflected the real me. I was born in California and became a Carolina girl at the age of nine. When you shop at Closet Sikeology, you’ll definitely see the influence of my California/Carolina girl roots. If boho-chic is your thing, you’ll love us!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I truly believe that our thoughts hold power and what we think about, we bring about. That coupled with hard work and action have been the biggest players in my story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://closetsikeology.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/closetsikeology/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/closetsikeology/

Image Credits
Glynnis Christensen Photography and Christine Rose Photography