Tessa Blakney is the founder of Silk N Honey, a boutique that started online and grew into a brick and mortar store in Downtown Memphis, opening in the midst of the pandemic. Despite the challenges she faced, Tessa has done a tremendous job of growing her business and she joins me today to share some of what she has learned along the way.
We’re diving into so much in this episode, including how she overcame her fear of putting herself out there to promote her business, where she is focusing her energy for social media, and some of the lessons she learned while merging the retail art and the retail science together. If you’re new in the business and are looking to get traction on your marketing and finances (and be inspired along the way), this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
>> From Online to Brick and Mortar During a Pandemic – LISTEN NOW ON iTunes <<
>> From Online to Brick and Mortar During a Pandemic – LISTEN NOW ON Spotify <<
See the Full Boutique Chat Podcast Website here
Watch the interview on YouTube:
What You’ll Learn In From Online to Brick and Mortar During a Pandemic:
- How Tessa got started in the business.
- What was most surprising to Tessa operating her own business.
- The main channels she is growing her business through.
- Where she sees the most engagement on social media.
- What she plans to focus on this year for social media.
- The lessons Tessa has learned when merging the retail art and the retail science.
- Why she uses the Profit First method for her financials.
- The importance of having good people around you.
Favorite Quotes
“Our goal this year is to dive into TikTok more because it’s crazy how one video can make your business go viral and take it to the next level.” – Tessa [8:10]
“You can’t grow and get to the next level all by yourself.” – Tessa [11:15]
“Chase your dreams and don’t settle.” – Tessa [18:50]
Resources:
- Tessa Blakney: Website | Instagram
- 15% off code: NEWBBIE for Silk N Honey Boutique
- Jance Chartae
- Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
Join the Hub for more training, information, and connections.
www.theboutiquehub.com/join
Use the hashtag #AskAshley on Instagram, or tag her at @ajalderson or @theboutiquehub to suggest topics for the podcast and let us know what you thought about this episode!
Do you love the Boutique Chat Podcast?! Subscribe to our podcast and after that, leave us a review on iTunes Apple Podcasts here!
Original Air Date: February 15th, 2022
Do you love the details of What it Means to be A Brand New Business Owner in 2022? Let us know what you think about our show and help spread the word about the #BoutiqueChat Podcast.
Recent Posts:
- 5 Signs Your Boutique Has Outgrown Its Website
Guest Blog by Soul Mana Web Design You’ve built something real. Your products are curated, your brand has a distinct personality, and your customers love what you’ve created. Your Instagram is beautiful. Your in-store experience is warm, elevated, and entirely on brand. But your website? It might be the one thing holding your business back… Read more: 5 Signs Your Boutique Has Outgrown Its Website - #816: The Future of Retail Is Personal: Styling, Community & Customer Loyalty
What if your “side hustle experiment” accidentally became a multi-store franchise brand? Lindsay Rando, Bobbles & Lace, didn’t set out to build a retail empire. She started with a $70 jewelry pushcart on the streets of downtown LA—and 20 years later, that same mindset evolved into 30+ boutique franchise locations built on styling, community, and… Read more: #816: The Future of Retail Is Personal: Styling, Community & Customer Loyalty - Five Minute Friday: The Email Marketing Hot Take Boutique Owners Need to HearShould you outsource your boutique’s email marketing—or keep it in-house? Many retailers feel stuck between two expensive options: paying an agency every month to handle everything or trying to figure it all out themselves without a solid strategy. The truth is, the best answer might be somewhere in the middle. Cassidy, owner and creative director… Read more: Five Minute Friday: The Email Marketing Hot Take Boutique Owners Need to Hear
