Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Lyons.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, my mother would always take me shopping at local consignment stores. I remember sneaking in and being embarrassed to be buying second-hand. As I got older, I started consigning myself, and would constantly get compliments on unique and trendy items I wore that, unbeknownst to them, were second-hand! I wanted to change the stigma tied to “used” clothing, and to provide women with a clean, boutique, and fun environment to find amazing designer goodies, at a fraction of the price.
In November 2015, Chic Boutique Consignments in Tyngsboro was born. I focused on creating a strong sense of community, not just a consignment boutique, and to unite women all over the country with fashion, style, girl chat, and simply put: having fun. My vision was to create a boutique that was like shopping your best friend’s closet – part consignment, part boutique, and 100% chic!
A few months later, in April of 2016, our e-boutique launched, and we began shipping all over the country each and every day. Our Facebook VIP group has grown upwards of 2700 members, and women from all over the US have not only started shopping with us, but have also begun shipping their consignments to us to as well. I wanted to open another convenient location for my clients, so we opened another location in my hometown of Bridgewater in March 2017, with the same cozy feel and boutique look as my first!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I cringe when people tell me how “lucky” I am to have built Chic Boutique from the ground up, and to be doing what I love. It certainly wasn’t luck, it was hard-work, motivation, and perseverance to make my dream a success. I have always been an entrepreneur, even as a little girl with a babysitting business and frequent lemonade stands. When I first opened Chic Boutique, I was also working another full-time job as an Account Manager, and a nanny side gig. It was a lot of work and sacrifice, but I was able to leave both jobs that following April to focus solely on building the company. Since opening, I have had many hurdles such as other boutiques trying to copy our style and social media. The thing I’ve learned in building a successful and respected company is to stay in your own lane, and to listen to your gut.
Chic Boutique Consignments – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Chic Boutique Consignments was set out to replace the belief that high cost equates high quality. While many of our items are considered “better brand” or designer, we also carry many hand-selected pieces from stores or brands that aren’t yet a household name in the fashion industry- even some trendy well-made pieces from babe-on-a-budget favorited stores like Forever 21 and H&M. We have even launched our own line of new affordable, unique pieces that we select based on seasonal trends.
We believe in helping every woman be who they want to be, and using fashion as a way to express that, regardless of your size or budget. Our boutiques are always clean, smell amazing, and each piece on our floor is carefully hand-selected. We offer the ability to shop online with shipping or free in-store pickup, or through our VIP Facebook group or Instagram. We love getting our “gals” together for themed girl’s nights, Facebook Live events, and even offer our space to use for getting your friends together for a private shopping night! We raise thousands of dollars each year for charitable organizations, and host dollar tent sales to raise money for local animal shelters.
Much of our energy is exerted into social media platforms like our members-only Facebook group and Instagram to market our consignment pieces. We constantly communicate via our social media asking our customers what they want, and using that as a base to intake our consignments and design our Chic Boutique Exclusive line. The rest we rely on word-of-mouth, the best way to “advertise” in my opinion… further uniting women with fashion, shopping, style tricks and tips, and of course, wine!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is not hating Mondays. Many of my friends and family dread the work they do, and at a young age, I knew I wanted to create the life I wanted for myself. That life meant having fun while “working”, giving back to charitable organizations and the community, and of course, being my own boss! I also take great pride in providing many women with a steady paycheck, job that offers them creativity and growth, and sense of pride to be involved in a start-up company like Chic Boutique Consignments. I know that by growing a company based on the idea of consignment, I can offer women the ability to shop amazing pieces at a bargain, make them money on items they no longer use themselves, and keep our landfills happy! I’m setting out to make consignment “cool” and proving that it is possible to create the life you want- it’s not easy, but it’s possible!
Contact Info:
- Address: 404 Middlesex Rd
Tyngsboro, MA 01879
AND
1440 Pleasant Street
Bridgewater, MA 02324 - Website: www.chicboutiqueconsignments.com
- Phone: Tyngsboro location: 978-226-5362 or Bridgewater location: 508-807-4032
- Email: chicboutiqueconsignments@gmail.com
Image Credit:
http://meganbelangerphoto.com/
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