Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Wentworth.
Rachel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My business partner Meredith and I started Forty Winks in 2010 after a series of disappointing experiences shopping for lingerie. We’d had trouble finding both basics that fit well and interesting pieces that we were actually excited about buying. We had talked about opening a business together in the past but hadn’t wanted to be just another dress boutique; we wanted to niche down and open something original. As we explored lingerie it became evident that this was our niche. In 2010, after writing a business plan, getting our financials in order and convincing someone to rent to us, we opened Forty Winks. Now we enjoy a wide clientele and are able to offer both the well-fitting basics people need for everyday as well as fun pieces from independent designers all over the world.
In 2016, I started a brick and mortar based podcast called Keeping Shop. My intention is to grow a community around the show that will bolster small businesses, not only in Boston, but all over the country. As we all know, brick and mortar is a tenuous game, but I hope that the show adds value to shopkeepers and space makers as we build strong businesses.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been obstacles along the way for sure. Anyone that opens a business knows that none of us escape the occasional set back or failure. At first, we had trouble getting people to take our business seriously. We were both in our 20s and had never owned a business before. The people in the position to lend us money or rent us space were wary of two amateurs and this often set us back. We persevered because we had faith (blind faith!) that we could create a successful business. And we did!
We’ve also faced issues with online competition which has definitely dipped into our cash flow. Reminder: when you buy from a small business you’re actually supporting real people in your immediate community! I know it’s not as convenient and no one is saying you can’t get your dishwasher pods on Amazon, but shopping local when possible means everything to us.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Most women say that bra shopping is at best a chore and at worst a traumatic experience. When we opened Forty Winks, we decided that our main goal was to offer excellent customer service and to create a fun shopping experience that would take the pain out of bra shopping. We’ve set ourselves apart from more traditional lingerie shops by offering knowledgeable fitters if you need a fitting as well as pretty racks of bras to peek through if you’re just looking to browse and find something on your own.
We offer a wide range of sizes (A-H cups in band sizes 30-40) and specialty items like maternity bras and sleepwear as well.
I’m proud of what we’ve created at Forty Winks both through our unique offerings and through the amazing relationships we’ve built with the Boston and Cambridge community.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Of course the city is a great place to open! The issue is with the development of the area and the fact that local business can’t afford the rents in the more established shopping areas. In order to revitalize places like Newbury St. and Harvard Square, I believe that rents need to be capped when dealing with local business. There are empty spaces all over the Square that could be amazing shops and cafes, but the rents are so staggeringly high that no one is able to move forward.
We talk a lot about this question on the podcast. What I’ve found is that a lot of my guests are opting to opening more up-and-coming areas or smaller communities where the rents are accessible and the people living there are ready to shop. They might not have the foot traffic they would in a bigger area but they have dedicated shoppers wanting to invest in their immediate community.
Contact Info:
- Address: Forty Winks
56 JFK St.
Cambridge, MA
02138 - Website: www.shopfortywinks.com and www.lovekeepingshop.com
- Phone: 617-492-9100 (Forty Winks)
- Email: info@shopfortywinks.com and keepingshop@gmail.com
- Instagram: @fortywinkshs and @keepingshoppodcast
- Facebook: @shopfortywinks and @keepingshoppodcast
- Yelp: Forty Winks
Image Credit:
Forty Winks
Keeping Shop
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