Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Lungo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kelly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story… I am a born and raised Cape Codder with a HUGE love for shopping and fashion!
I am a single mom of three. My 12-year-old boy Aidan, my 3-year-old girl Ava, and my 1-year-old boy Asher. Life’s hectic and awesome and filled with so much love!
I worked n the restaurant business here for 18 years! Serving and bartending. It’s a busy lifestyle, late hours. Not hours for parenting small children that’s for sure!
I tried to open my boutique in my early 20s. But honestly, it just wasn’t the right time, so I’m sure that’s why it didn’t work out. Last summer the opportunity presented itself and I jumped on it! Found the perfect location and things just started happening from there. Here I am, almost a year in September with my own boutique! Salty Crown is becoming everything I had envisioned and I’m so happy. Love my customers and love seeing their reaction when they walk in. I love being home nights with my kids. Putting them to bed every night. I love the flexibility of running my own business has provided for me. I love that it’s my creation. I was always very artistic, so I incorporated that into the shop. I did a fun decoupage floor that is a conversation starter when customers are in.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. I am a single mom of three. That alone is challenging. But I’m determined. I’m determined to make this work to provide for them and keep it, so I can be home every evening with them.
Winters on the Cape are slow, I knew that though. My challenge this winter was for about 2 months construction done directly in front of the shop making the shop pretty much non-accessible. It was then that I questioned EV-ER-Ything!!! But I made it through, I’m still here! It’s been an amazing summer. And am so thankful for all my customers and support!
My advise… surround yourself with the ones who support you. Let the ones who doubt you go, gracefully. It’ll create a positive orb around you to follow your dreams, you CAN do what you love! It’s hard work and a crazy road, but you’ll never know the end results unless you TRY. I’ve learned so much about people through this. Just stay positive, don’t doubt yourself. You’ve got this!
We’d love to hear more about Salty Crown Boutique.
I do it all. I do my finances(which is a giant learning experience for me).
I do my social media.
I do my buying.
I try to be here most the time, with the exception of a couple days off to be with my children.
I am proud of my accomplishments thus far because it’s been a learn as I go experience. Learning from my mistakes.
So excited to be celebrating one year in September!!!
My boutique is a fun retro boho vibe. I carry brands like Show Me your Mumu, Wildfox, Chaser, Mavi, Blank NY, Honey Punch, Sage the Label, Calvin Klein.
I tried to hit all price points so everyone could shop here. I love that all ages shop here as well. Love seeing a mom and daughter both find things and trying things on together. You’ll hear 80’s music playing a lot because it’s my FAVORITE, lol! People sing along and shop and it just feels good.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking through social media, especially Instagram has been huge. Instagram has been one of my biggest marketing tools thus far. It’s amazing! It’s a job itself though for sure! You need to find nitch I guess and keep it up, interact with your followers. Be personal, so they know there’s a real person behind the brand.
Contact Info:
- Address: 39 Main St
Orleans, MA 02653 - Website: Www.saltycrownboutique.com
- Phone: 508-221-5753
- Email: saltycrownboutique@gmail.com
- Instagram: @saltycrownboutique
- Facebook: Salty Crown Boutique
Image Credit:
Kelly Lungo
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