Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Paquette.
Elissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started out selling vintage on eBay after I graduated from art school. I loved picking vintage, and I couldn’t leave a gem behind, just because it didn’t fit me! I’d often shorten the hem, chop off the sleeves, and even change the neckline to give a vintage dress or skirt the perfect on-trend look.
But, after opening my storefront, I found I was getting quite a lot of traffic, but I was constantly turning people away having already sold that one-of-a-kind piece they’d recently seen in the window. I decided to give new brands and try; it was an instant hit and I haven’t looked back since!
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?
Absolutely not! I’ve always had a pretty good eye for fashion, but I learned the hard way that there’s a lot more to being a buyer than just picking out cute clothes! When I started out, I had no idea how to buy a balanced product assortment or how to stay on budget each month or season. Over time, I’ve learned how to buy strategically and also hire people to help me–especially in areas where I’m not “exceptionally gifted” (like book-keeping!).
Calico – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We’re a contemporary women’s fashion boutique specializing in on-trend clothing and accessories for every occasion! We carry everyone’s favorite staple brands, like Free People, BB Dakota, and Steve Madden–but we also love to source the latest up-and-coming and hard-to-find lines for our customers! Some current favorites we’ve recently added to our product mix are Lucca, Gentlefawn, and ASTR The Label.
Over the years, we’ve definitely built a reputation as the area’s go-to source for special occasion looks–chic jumpsuits and dresses for weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, and more. But we also stock great basics–like Levi’s denim, slouchy tee shirts, and must-have moto jackets–that keep our girl coming back for all her wardrobe essentials! It’s really important to me that women feel welcome in my store, and that it doesn’t have that “fashion snob” vibe!
My team is well-versed in the fit and feel of the lines we carry, and we love to style a woman, head-to-toe–or just help her find that perfect pair of great-fitting jeans she’s going to live in! I want my customers to feel like they’re shopping in their fashionable best friend’s closet–just enjoying their BFF’s curated collection, trying things on for fun–maybe sippin’ on some Sauvignon Blanc–and getting honest advice and styling tips from their very own fashion guru!
In addition to our brick and mortar boutique in New Bedford, MA, customers can also shop with us online at shopcalico.com. One of my favorite parts of running Calico is creating an awesome online shopping experience, with great pictures, inspired styling, and fun (but thorough) product descriptions! I’m also obsessed with social media, and I love creating content for Instagram, Facebook, and more!
Contact Info:
- Address: 173 Union Street New Bedford, MA 02740
- Website: shopcalico.com
- Phone: 508-999-4147
- Email: hello@shopcalico.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shopcalico
- Facebook: facebook.com/shopcalico
- Twitter: twitter.com/shopcalico
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/calico-new-bedford-2
Image Credit:
Peter Pereira, The Standard-Times
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