“Sunday” Spotlight

2.20.12

For this week’s Sunday Spotlight, I stopped by John White, Ltd—one of my all time favorite places!! This store is also one of my parent’s favorite stores. They really have stuff for everybody!  They have great clothes for women and men. And for you men out there looking to rent a tux—this is THE place to go!! I enjoyed talking to both Janet and John White about the store and can’t wait to visit again!

What inspired you to open?

John had already co-owned another store for 13 years and I had just graduated with a degree in merchandising, so it just seemed natural.

What do you love about fashion?

I love that fashion is ever changing. Reinventing itself.

What is the best part of owning your own store?

The best part of owning my store is that I (and John) am the boss. If something is good and retails it is great, but if it does not do good it is my fault, no one elses.

What is the worst or hardest thing about owning your own store?

The hardest thing is the hours. We work all the time.

Do you have any favorite items in the store?

All the items are my favorite! I hand picked them!

What are some future goals for the store?

Future goals are to keep doing what we love to do. John and I have been blessed to be able to do what we love to do and actually make a living at it.

Do you have anything you want to add?

Mardi Gras season is coming to an end, and we have set a new record on tuxedos and gowns! We have a lot of happy customers and that is the best reward ever!

This dress is by far my favorite item in the shop!! (maybe in any shop! it is flawless)

Don’t forget to “like” them on facebook!

Sunday Spotlight

2.5.12

Happy Puppy bowl Sunday! Today’s Sunday Spotlight is Jason Le Viere of Click Boutique & Gallery.  It is no secret how much I love this place, so I am very excited to share this post with you guys!  

What inspired you to open?

At first we were inspired by the idea of working for ourselves - building a brand and watching it grow. We were also inspired by the natural architecture & rich history of downtown Hattiesburg. The vibe is really electric & there is a sense of community that just doesn’t  exist in a strip mall next to a drive through. As business people we saw a need that was not being met, so on January 15th 2011 {click} was born on Front Street in downtown Hattiesburg.


What do you love about fashion?

Two of the pillars we live by as a brand is “be true to who you are” and “dress like you mean it”. While these statements are witty and more sassy in nature, they have a deeper meaning when applied to fashion. We love that you can express who you are through how you present yourself to the world every day - without saying a word. We love that fashion is inclusive, not exclusive - your personal style is always in fashion when the outside matches how you feel on the inside.

What is the best part of owning your own store?

While being your own boss has its responsibilities - the world that you create for your customers is a universe that you control. We choose the music, we choose the clothes, we choose who we work with. We never wake up and dread going to work in the morning.

What is the worst or hardest thing about owning your own store?

Every business owner comes to a cross roads early on in their career: do you do what is going to make the most money, or are you going to do what is best for your customers. Our biggest struggle is consistently providing an assortment that is truly reflective of what is on the fashion horizon. It is very easy to fall to pressure as a boutique owner, to buy what is “hot” now or regionally popular. Often being a trendsetter means going against what the majority thinks is fashionable.

Do you have any favorite items in the store?

Any favorite items? The beauty of click is that we ONLY buy our favorite items haha! We tell our customers “if you don’t love it, don’t buy it” - same goes for us. Currently we are in love with a new line that we just recently started importing from the United Kingdom - the line is full of classic pieces that will never go out of style. We are also crazy for our new skinny belts in a dozen colors - such an easy way to jazz up a dull look without spending a mint.

Do you have a style motto? 

Dress like you mean it, while still being true to who you are. The idea is you must dress with intention, but you don’t need to become something else to be beautiful.

What are some future goals for the store?

We are looking for ways to maximize space & grow for our customers. We are also looking into offering some options for the men in our customer’s lives.

Do you have anything you want to add?

You already have everything you already need to be beautiful. We are just here to help get the outside matching your inside. When you leave our shop we want you to drive home - not loving us more - but loving downtown Hattiesburg more. Treat yourself to Front Street every week. You deserve it.

Don’t forget to “like” the facebook pages here & here!

Sunday Spotlight

1.8.12

Welcome to the first Sunday Spotlight! Each week I am going to interview inspiring local people who are living their passions! This week’s Sunday Spotlight is Macie Malone of Mostly Macie’s!

What inspired you to open?

Beginning at age three my mom told me I wouldn’t let anyone dress me/pick out my outfits besides myself. I have had a love for fashion and “cute” clothes/accessories since I was little. As I got older and started trying to really figure out what I wanted my career to be my mother said I always said when I was a little girl that I wanted to have a clothing store. I have always been around business because of my father’s business and I didn’t allow the word “business” to scare me. I had the knowledge and experience thanks to my father and was ready to apply it. I began thinking about how I could do this and which direction I wanted to take the clothing business. The economy that we are in presently is not a great one and I realized a consignment business would be a great ticket. The town I live in ( Hattiesburg) did not have many and by the time I opened I was the only one for adults in Hattiesburg. I also was able to open the store and name the store “Mostly Macie’s” by beginning with “mostly” my things. Now I have 150 consignors and rapidly growing!

How does the consignment work?

I take clothes in by the current season and by appointment. I have a 60/40 policy where the consignor receives 40%. I do 50% off retail price on items that are brand new and 60% off on used items. I allow the consignor 90 days for their items on the floor and at the end of their 90 days they either donate their items to the store or take them back. If they are donated to the store I decide if the items are something I want to keep in the store for a longer amount of time. If not, I will donate to Christian services. I pay the consignors at the beginning of each month.

What do you love about fashion?

What I love about fashion is that it is the perfect way to show your personality and characteristics about yourself. Fashion is the perfect way to show your own style, taste, and be exactly who you are as well as what you are feeling. Fashion is creative and fun! I love to continue to watch the ideas designers are coming up with. There is nothing better than walking around in an outfit that is perfect for you. It can make your whole day a brighter day if you love what you have on!

What is the best part of owning your own store?

The best part of owning your own store is mingling with the customers and helping the customers to find what they are looking for. I get so excited when someone finds an expensive item in the store and they are so happy about getting a deal on the item. I would say the best part is the fulfillment you get from making the customers happy.

What is the worst or hardest thing about owning your own store?

Resale is a hardworking, time consuming, long hours job but definitely worth it. You have to be dedicated and passionate about what you are doing! At times people want to bargain prices with you and you have to decide if they are right or if you are right about the price. Picking the perfect price for an item can be time consuming at times and might require lots of research to find the original retail price.

Do you have a favorite item in the store?

The handbags and shoes have become my most favorite items in the store and they also have done the best in the store! I love the metallic PRADA handbag that was recently brought in. The COACH handbags have sold the best in the store! I love the PRADA shoes, Christian Louboutin shoes, Jimmy Choo, J. Crew etc. shoes!!

What are some future goals for the store?

Expansion. More stores in different locations. I also would love to go to market at some point and have a mixture of the gently used consignment items as well as hot, new, trendy items in the store! A goal is to continue to keep it upscale and organized! A major goal is to continue to keep the consignors happy and for the consignors to continue to make money!