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What You Never Knew About The Boutique Summit

Boutique Chat
Boutique Chat

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Hey friends! If you’ve been around The Boutique Hub for a while, you’ve probably heard about The Boutique Summit—our industry’s biggest and longest-standing business conference. But today, I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the real story. Not the polished highlight reel, but the wild, unexpected, chaotic, and inspiring journey of how this event came to life—and how it’s grown into something bigger than I ever imagined.

What You Never Knew About The Boutique Summit

The Dream That Started It All

Rewind to 2013: I had this dream to create a space where boutique owners could connect, learn, and grow. There wasn’t anything like it at the time—just a lot of passionate entrepreneurs doing their thing, but without a central place to come together. That dream simmered for a while, but by 2016, I knew it was time to bring it to life.

So, I cold-called the Dallas Market Center. Seriously—I just started dialing numbers until I found Amy Harper. I pitched her this wild idea for a boutique industry conference and told her I thought 300 people might show up. Her response? Total shock. Most markets would be thrilled to get 10 new retailers in the door—300 sounded like a pipe dream.

But Amy took a chance. She gave us a corner of the 10th floor (a space that’s now completely transformed into showrooms), and we got to work.

Year One: A Crash Course in Event Planning (and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?!)

The first Boutique Summit in 2017 was pure DIY chaos—in the best way. We had two part-time employees (shoutout to Beth and Jesse), zero experience in event planning, and a whole lot of determination.

From stuffing swag bags to emceeing on stage and sprinting from registration to behind the scenes, we did it all ourselves. But just before things kicked off… disaster struck.

While working in a hotel conference room, all three of us started feeling sick—headaches, nausea, dizziness. Long story short: we ended up in the ER in Fort Worth, where we found out we had carbon monoxide poisoning due to construction at the hotel.

Yep. The day before our first-ever Summit.

After a whirlwind night of hospital visits and fire department calls, we pulled it together. The show went on—without anyone ever knowing what had happened behind the scenes. To this day, it’s one of the craziest, most surreal memories of my life.

The Early Days: Building Something Bigger Than Us

Despite the chaos, that first Summit sold out in 48 hours. People were craving connection. The energy was electric. Retailers from all over the country came together, and lifelong friendships and business partnerships were born. It was where Brandon from CommentSold (then Discount Divas) met key people who’d shape the future of the platform. It’s where legends like Mindy from Mindy’s Boutique, Kelsey Darby, and Liz Ross first showed up and showed out.

And the momentum didn’t stop.

In 2018, we upped capacity to 500 tickets. They sold out in 24 hours. That year, we welcomed incredible speakers like Natalie Ellis of Boss Babe and Meredith from Makeup Junkie Bags (fresh off her Shark Tank appearance). The Boutique Summit was no longer just a dream—it was a movement.

Taking It to Atlanta

By 2019, it was time for a bold move: Atlanta. The energy, the growth, the community—it all came with us. Over 800 attendees packed the event, making it one of our biggest to date. One of the most unforgettable moments? Diana from Red Dress handing out plastic cockroaches as a symbol of resilience. “Cockroaches never die,” she said, reminding us all to keep going—even when business gets tough.

What’s Next for the Boutique Summit?

Every year, the Summit evolves—but the heart stays the same. We come together to learn what’s working (and what’s not), share our wins and struggles, and leave feeling recharged and inspired.

This year, we’re switching things up with new speakers, fresh formats, and even more opportunities for hands-on learning. Whether you’re an apparel boutique, gift shop, kids’ store, or anything in between, this is your space. This is where you find your people, your next big idea, and your momentum.

From Then to Now

Looking back, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come—from three girls running on fumes (and carbon monoxide) to hosting the boutique industry’s biggest and most impactful event.

But here’s the truth: The Boutique Summit isn’t about me. It’s about you. Your drive, your heart, your hustle. Every speaker, every workshop, every connection—it’s all designed to help you grow.

And I can’t wait to see what we build next, together.

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