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:
- #814: Retail Summer Strategy: Do This to GROW Your Boutique!
Are you leaving money on the table during the summer slow season? June and July are the most underrated months in retail — and the smartest boutique owners use them to set up a record-breaking fall. Ashley Alderson and Sara Burks break down exactly how to spend the “J months” wisely. They discuss how to… Read more: #814: Retail Summer Strategy: Do This to GROW Your Boutique! - Five Minute Friday: The People Side of Retail: HR Basics for Boutique OwnersHR is one of the biggest hats boutique owners wear — whether they realize it or not. From employee paperwork and legal compliance to hiring the right people and building strong team culture, every boutique owner is responsible for creating systems that help employees succeed. Sara Burks breaks down the fundamentals of HR into simple,… Read more: Five Minute Friday: The People Side of Retail: HR Basics for Boutique Owners
- Shopify Tax Filing: Understanding Your Responsibilities
Shopify may file your sales tax, but it doesn’t take responsibility for it — and that leaves more on your plate than you might expect. This service uses automated calculations to process returns, meaning there is no human reasoning applied to your filings. You are still responsible for ensuring everything is being filed correctly, including verifying that Shopify is not double-paying VAT tax or marketplace sales.
