Today we’d like to introduce you to Ani Vong.
Ani, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember, I loved fashion and style as well as meeting and connecting with people. I’ve worked in retail and customer service since high school and finally, in the early 2000s, I started working for Greg Harding (mentor and good friend) at Giovanni’s Trends in Downtown Lowell. It was hip hop/streetwear clothing and sneakers shop. Working closely with the owner gave me first-hand experience with what it’s like running your own clothing shop and helped mold me into the role I am in today.
Unfortunately, retail was hit hard during the recession in 2008 and a few years later, I was sad to have to leave this place where I called my second home and sad to not be able to no longer help Greg’s business grow.
In 2012, Franky Descoteaux, who founded Humanity offered me a management position. Her shop was only a few doors down from Giovanni’s Trends and we were all friendly with one another being from the same community. I remember going for my interview as she drove me around in her car while doing errands – she said something along the line of, “I am also looking for a potential partner or someone who can take over one day. And I think you’re the person for it.” I took a big gulp, laughed in disbelief and told her that’s impossible. I do not have the business educational background nor financial backings to become an owner of Humanity one day.
Every so often Franky would ask if I am ready (to take over). The answer would always be ‘nope!’. I never understood why she kept asking me because I saw myself – even though in my early 30s now, as a little girl who didn’t know what she wanted to do in life or what she could offer. I was absolutely sure I was a lost cause. As I gained even more experience and felt more pressure to do something for myself and become a somebody – something shifted. I finally told her in 2014 that I was ready. April 2014 was the beginning of this long, beautiful, emotional roller coaster ride of a journey toward becoming a small business owner and sole proprietor.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been fortunate to have so many people in the community that has provided me with wonderful resources and sounding advice. That isn’t to say I haven’t had my fair share of minor and major bumps in the road along the way. There are high highs and low lows with being a small business owner. Struggles come from anywhere between personal lifestyle changes and the daily struggles of having a brick and mortar in a downtown mid-sized city setting.
For starters, personally – you’re always going to have self-doubts. One day, I’m confident and on top of the world, the next day I’m full of self-doubts and thinking I can’t do it anymore. It really takes you on an emotional roller coast. So, buckle up for one unforgettable but rewarding ride!
Sometimes, I feel like not having an educational background in business haunts me. I’ve got years and years worth of hands-on experience but I often wonder if I had taken some business courses, would I have struggled the way I have? It would have prepared me better for sure except, nothing really prepares you for the journey.
My advice for any women trying to start their journey would be to try to take some business and financial courses very early on. Get in touch with the economic development office in your city because they often provide business courses to help you and even courses that can help set you up to get a micro loan at the end. Do your homework and seek out what other resources there are that’s offered in your hometown or surrounding cities and towns. I would start saving money as well! You wouldn’t believe how quickly money comes and goes into a business. You can start reading books or business publications of entrepreneurs.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s going to a local business owner and asking what their experiences have been like or if you’ve already started and on your way – you can still ask for help and advice. More than likely, people are willing to help only if you ask for it.
Lastly, don’t give up no matter how discouraging the situation may be. Before I officially took over I thought what would I regret in ten years. It would be not taking the business and seeing what I’m made of and reaching my potential. Each day you work on your business, big or small is a day closer to where you want to be. And please surround yourself with people who share your visions and very supportive of your dreams. That is extremely important.
what should we know about Humanity Boutique? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Humanity is a women’s boutique consisting of hand picked, carefully curated clothing, handbags, accessories and more recently, local designer/artisans pieces in the shop. I go through all the lookbooks or online vendor sites if I am not able to do so in person, and as I’m looking at products I think to myself, ‘Can 6 different types (body, shape, size, age) of women wear this? How will it look to them and where would they go in this outfit?’ I only order 3-6 pieces of a clothing item and seldom ever reorder unless it’s something basic like a solid colored tank top or if it did so well and sold out within a day (has happened many times) I may consider reordering – but hardly ever. As a consumer myself, I appreciate the exclusivity that a small, local clothing boutique has to offer. Who likes who walk down the street and see 2 other women in the same outfit you’re in?! No one.
We’re a community business and very involved in working and playing with other businesses and organizations. We care about our city, the people living here and visitors passing through. This past June we helped co-organized ‘A Midsummer’s Dream Festival’ in Downtown Lowell dedicated to a dear friend and fellow business owner whom we lost too soon too young. We wanted to honor a dream of hers to get people working together and bringing a unique festival to the city. Lowell is a great community of visionaries, makers, and shakers. We believe in the saying that it takes a village.
It has been an amazing year for us as we continue to grow. We recently won Merrimack Valley Magazines’ Best Women’s Fashion in the Merrimack Valley! The fact that is was the public who voted really pulled at our heartstrings. We’re so blessed and grateful to have so many incredible friends, family, and customers who continue to support and love us.
At Humanity, our mission is to uplift women to dress in confidence; empowering women to be comfortable in their skin, and to connect and cultivate community. We hope to continue to be able to do what we do for our community and for every person who walks through our door.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
My parents escaped to Thailand in the late 70’s from a war-torn country and genocide in Cambodia. They stayed at the camps in Thailand for about 2 years then sought refuge in The U.S. in 1981. They left Cambodia with only what little things they can carry and came to The U.S. with pretty much nothing. I was only a few months old and my sister was about a year or so old so we had no idea of the struggles and challenges our parents endured when first coming to America.
I have little to no memory of that fateful, tragic night in August 1985. I was about to turn 4 years old and suddenly my parent’s life took another turn for the worst this time. My father was badly beaten into a coma in a racially motivated act of violence. He would never recover from it thus leaving my mother who did not speak much English at that time – as a single parent in a new country.
My mother became two parents overnight raising two little girls. I saw how hard my mom worked and never heard her complained. She always pushed through every challenge and never took pity on herself. My mother wanted to ensure my sister and I lived a better life than they did back in Cambodia. Growing up she was tough, strong and stern yet kind-hearted, sweet and compassionate. She provided us with the best childhood she possibly could give. She also became a small business owner herself with a successful home daycare for over 15 years.
So, as you can probably tell by now – my mother’s strength, endurance, ambition, and persistence has played an outsized role in setting me up for success later in life. Every time I want to give up, I think about what she’s gone through and everything she has taught and shown me. She has always supported me in everything I want to do. For her, it was either one path or the other. As long as it was some sort of path.
My mother is the epitome of the American Dream.
Contact Info:
- Address: Humanity Boutique
128 Merrimack St
Lowell, MA 01851 - Website: www.humanitystyle.com
- Phone: 978-459-6189
- Email: hello@humanitystyle.com / ani@humanitystyle.com
- Instagram: humanitystyle / ani_v
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanityStyle
Image Credit:
Jennifer Myers, Merrimack Valley Magazine, EforAll, CHOICE2BEHAPPYPODCAST
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