Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Hosse.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am first-born from German immigrants. My father, a medic and prisoner of war (rebel) managed to escape thru the mines to the West with only his bike and $ in his back pocket. Heinz’s goal was to find a German woman who spoke English and whisk her away to America. In Hamburg as an Engineer, he met my Mom, a translator and one year later to Conn. and settled in The Hudson Valley of NY where I was born.
My parents gave my sister and I an amazing life which was filled with culture, travel, art and nature. Of course, much discipline, expectations, etc. As early as my memory serves me, I did not play with dolls or Barbies, I designed their outfits, their hair, built their little homes from scrap wood and recycled material. My father, also an architect and my Mom and artist built the most gorgeous contemporary home for all of us and I would do the same with my dolls. In my brain, I would be an architect too or a fashion designer (what my Mom had regretted). My Junior year, my father passed suddenly and my Mom not knowing how to handle all of the pain, left my younger sis and I and went to Germany (3 weeks turned into years)…..my dream of FIT, soon vanished and found myself working full-time cocktail waitressing while attending a local community college and looking after little sis who was constantly in some sort of trouble. Studied Retail/fashion and business as a minor. Fast forward many years to 1985 where I worked for a high-end chain store in Poughkeepsie, NY. The former Flah’s who had a buyout while working to B. Forman Company.
This was the real “old school” way and service. I was very young for an Assistant Mgr. and went thru quite a grueling first year passing the likes of the women (some in the late 60s who had been faithful to the company for almost 30 years. They had a podium and when the customer entered, it was 1:1. When it was time to pair with a hand bag, to the next dept. etc. A small commission but enough to motivate and sometimes compete in unnecessary ways. Tissue paper/beautiful bags/gift wrap if needed and a walk to their Automobile. I loved what I did and store manager, Kim Ainsworth stated to me, “I will mentor you and you will learn everything I know if you’re willing and you will have that boutique someday” (reason she hired me and told me later was my goal of owning my own boutique). About that same time, my Mom returned home. I was angry with her and nothing would be the same again with family. Approximately 4 years later, I began my search for a small place in Rhinebeck, NY. No business plan. I told the realtor, what I could afford. He took me to a space that was used as the Restaurant closet. Yes, it had rats and it was gross, however it had two entrances. One to the street side of Rhinebeck and one Side Street next to the Independent theatre. I had 4,000 and opened a consignment shop. Grew and moved 3 times till I met, married and decided to have a family. The years of raising 3 kids and taking care of my home, I always bought and sold. Antiques, vintage wear, even rugs and large furniture. I enjoyed re-purposing and simultaneously began a home staging biz in 1996 before it was called home staging. Stage-to-sell became my 2nd business and my hours reflected around my kid’s schedule. Once eBay began, I was right in and right on and did very well. There was a 2 year period that I sold exclusively mid-century modern. Reason being, the Danish furniture and style I grew up with and familiar with.
In 2004, I asked my husband to leave. Had to bartender/cocktail waitress at the Wentworth for quick fast $ to pay the mtg. And keep my home. By the way, our family relocated from NY to Seacoast in 1999. Always did my buying and selling on the side and learned new skills with my tools as well as getting more proficient on my sewing machine. Most of my time was raising my kids and being present. My youngest, Cassidy has Down syndrome. After her birth, I dove into the disability world and had to learn how to navigate so many agencies, government, locally. Still to this day at 20, it can be a full time job. She is now transitioning to adult hood and a pivotal year for all of us as NH adult services are NOT good. Brie’s boutique came about and collaborated by my 2 younger kids. Lee and Cassidy. All 3 of my kids are Artists. Eldest, drew moved out and forged a life (musician) in Portland, OR (we do frequent).
Lee also loves buying selling fixing researching thrifting, repurposing……I suppose in the genes. School district most often sees our kids with DD packing groceries at Market Basket. No, not Cass. Cassidy can paint, she can sew, and she has an eye unlike anyone. Her drawings were 3-dimensional by 12 which is unusual and some need art school to learn.
I would open this shop with Cass and Lee. Everything feel into place 2013, even when I felt it was too soon and still in beginning stages. We found the space and the 3 of us painted and fixed and spent 3 months working and ate dinner’s picnic style on the cement floor.
The vision we had and the boutique has changed. We began with the hope that my re-purposes furniture, mid-century furniture and art from all folks with any abilities. Also began vocational training and sort of partnered with a local non-profit that I am involved with.
Today, Lee lives in Portland, OR. She came out as transgender in 2014 and loves living in a big city with support of big brother. Cassidy is branded, “Cassidy Rox”. She has a line of re-purposed clothing in the boutique. We no longer do vocational training (too stressful for me). We do have fashion merchandising interns here and there that I love to mentor and learn from them!
What sold the most was fashion and jewelry so today this is my main focus. Blending the decades to make it your own. I have regular clients that I style and buy for. We now have over 20 artists and their work in the store. A line of wonderful natural soy candles, and more. We are known as eclectic /street fashion/boho and specialize in mid-century vintage. Think “madmen”.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Sagamore Bridge closed 2.5 months after we opened for 2 years. The following winter, the road was closed. My kids or just myself would go in with layers of clothes and hats, etc. Could not afford propane, rent was getting behind…….didn’t know what to do…..landlord offered 3 months free of rent. When the bridge finally opened, it was like a grand opening and that’s exactly what I did and involved other businesses on Sagamore Rd.
My best consignor, came by one day to drop off another pile of clothes with tags and offered to help. We had a mutual agreement. She on SS and I didn’t want an employee and made an arrangement for her to help me in boutique. It took me almost 17 months to figure out she was stealing from me. This ended March of 2017 and I am still dealing with much of the aftermath. However, my sales are now consistent, steady and gaining. However, we are heading into the season that hard, the New England Winter.
Another challenge that my friends often remind me of (boutique owners or etsy owners), everyone is now selling vintage online and becoming quite competitive. I still believe in trying on and feeling the fabric, the texture, seeing how it looks on your body, etc. Oh, and we have an onsite seamstress, Theresa. She is the very best!!!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the brie’s boutique story. Tell us more about the business.
Mid-century vintage and I believe in blending the decades to create your own look or I can style you! I am most proud of our brand, of sticking it out during hard times. Of my daughter who is an intricle piece of boutique. I believe she not only brings an awareness but at times clients are surprised at high her potential and talent is. Cassidy loves selling her products but loves creating them more.
We are also big supporters of the LGBTQ community/Seacoast Outright. For the last 4 years, we do a beautiful rainbow themed window for PRIDE week. Every year it becomes better received. At this year’s pride event, I was guest parent speaker. Brie’s carry acrogenous clothing.
What sets me apart from others? I would say…….positive vibe, sort of west coast/European street mixed in one. I play fun happy dancing music and we often sing and dance with customers. Laughter is everything and I always say, leave your worries behind and enter in. I still go dept. to dept. and still wrap/gift wrap and walk my client to the auto. Just like in 1985.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Mmmm. I actually do not believe in good or bad luck.
Contact Info:
- Address: 960 Sagamore Avenue, Portsmouth NH. 03801
- Website: Www.Briesboutiqueportsmouth.com
- Phone: 603 431-3000
- Email: info@briesboutiqueportsmouth.com
- Instagram: @briesboutiqueportsmouth
- Facebook: @briesboutiqueportsmouth
- Yelp: Briesboutique
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