Today we’d like to introduce you to Alese Nicholson.
Hi Alese, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been inspired by women’s western and bohemian style clothing. I could never find the stuff I liked for myself. And that’s when I came up with the idea of starting my own boutique inspired by my style. This idea took a year to decide on. I started doing research on how to start your own business. This led me to watch several boutique owners’ YouTube videos on how they started their businesses and their success stories.
After the videos, I followed all of the steps to start an online boutique. The first thing I did was pick my business name. This actually took me a couple of days to figure out, but I finally figured out the perfect name; Rusty Rose Boutique. I wanted it to be western to match my style and it was unique. I then handled all the legal documents that come with starting a business. After everything was taken care of, I started ordering inventory to stock for my online boutique. It was so exciting to come home to packages of new clothing and accessories. I started doing research on places I could do pop-up events at.
This was so exciting, but nerve-racking at the same time. My first pop-up event was at The Raleigh Market located at the fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. Let me just say how scared I was. I was worried that no one would like my style. Let me say these people loved my style. I sold $150 of products the first day. I was over the moon about what I had created and how much I loved my boutique. I still continue to sell at the Raleigh Market to this day.
I have customers that come back and buy more and it makes me so happy. I participate in events in Raleigh, NC a lot to get my business out there. I have events that email me about participating in their pop-ups and I can never say no because it brings so much joy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Financially, it was hard starting up a business with only a full-time job. I had gone into debt trying to keep products in my boutique. There were some events I went to that I made no money for. So that didn’t help with gas or paying my booth rent.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently work with Fastenal as a full-time branch operations manager. I handle everything that goes on in our store. It isn’t my dream job because that would be running my boutique full time, I enjoy what I do though.
I am known for working hard and putting my everything into any task I take on. I am most proud of where I am in the company today because 4 years ago, I would’ve never thought I’d be where I am today. My work ethic and determination set me apart from others.
Any big plans?
My plan for the future is to eventually open a brick-and-mortar Rusty Rose Boutique. That is the dream I hope to fulfill one day.
Contact Info:
- Email: akn@rustyrose-boutique.com
- Website: www.rustyrose-boutique.com
- Instagram: @Rusty.roseboutique
- Facebook: @Rusty.roseboutique
Image Credits
Megan Jordan of MCTeaPhotography
