“Retail is a lonely career.” That’s what everyone seemed to be telling me when I was working to get Flaire open.             “It’s just you and your store.”
How could that be? I mean really – you are dealing with customers and vendors and anyone soliciting anything – how could you really be lonely?? I could not figure out exactly what they were speaking of – until we actually opened. If you really think about it – how often do you shop – and after that question, how often at the same store? And today with all of the online options, actually going to a store – that takes effort. So I began to understand these statements a little better in that they don’t mean you are physically alone, but that the people that come through the door everyday are not going to be the same.
Retail for me is about the relationships you form with your customers. It’s about finding common ground in a piece you both love or a trend you are both interested in trying. I have made many connections with people over a great fitting pair of jeans, a delicately constructed gemstone necklace, a great pair of nude pumps, or a gorgeous leather handbag. The best part is understanding your customers and what you have in common. Especially in boutique shopping, you don’t get that in the department stores – locally-owned boutique owners  want to get to know you as shoppers. They want to hear your stories about what you’re looking for, why you need it and how you are going to wear it. That’s the exciting part of our jobs. It keeps my retail life from being “lonely.” Now this post is not to validate these “lonely career” claims, but rather to point out that there are ways around the so-called “lonely” day-after-day operations in retail.

Making connections with your customers is one of the ways, but another one – that also pleased my customers, was when Sophie, my shop dog, entered the scene. A wonderful golden birthday present, Sophie has made a great addition to Flaire. She is always at the door to greet you, is really excited you are here and LOVES attention. My vision for Flaire was never to be an overly-professional, this-goes-here, that-goes-there kind of store. Clothing is fun – the stores should be too. Sophie helps add an element of fun to Flaire and as far as the lonely part goes – I don’t know how you could be when you have a shop dog – someone is there for you.

Being the trendsetter that she is, sometimes she even dresses up for work – usually only for special occassions though.