Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Henderson.
Christina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is definitely a journey. A journey of overcoming fear and uncertainty. I started out going nursing school in 2012 after having my 3rd child my dream was to become a labor and delivery nurse, but being a young mother time wasn’t exactly on my side I needed something I could finish quick so I dropped out and went to medical assistant school after obtaining a fully paid for grant. I finished at the top of my class and landed my first medical job at parkland hospital in Dallas, Tx in the high-risk pregnancy unit. I found myself wanting more and something different so after a year there I began my journey of working in Obgyn Doctors’ offices which I’ve done for the past 10yrs. I’ve always been into fashion so one of my dreams was always to open a women’s clothing boutique going back to 2015 is when I made my first attempt and opened an online boutique called She_Dazzles boutique I went into it thinking it would be easy so I didn’t really research anything I thought hey it’s just clothes people love clothes, boy was I wrong let’s just say that didn’t last long. After that I went back to focusing on my career then fast forward to August 2021 having worked during the pandemic I became burnt out in the medical field and the nagging feeling of opening a clothing boutique the right way began to take over so I studied everything about the business took courses got a boutique coach and then Label 23 Clothing was born October 2021.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We all have those moments when we feel uncertain of our decisions and when things don’t go the way we envisioned the first thing we think is to give up. I’ve had many of those moments. I started out with my boutique being strictly online and being in an oversaturated market like the boutique business gaining the trust of complete strangers was not easy. I also worked my 9-5 as well so balancing the two-plus motherhood was challenging. I became overwhelmed and frustrated but giving up was not an option so I began to use those weak moments to go harder. I opened up online in October 2021 and within 3 months I had my first physical location by January 1, 2022. The first location I chose wasn’t the best marketing-wise so I left that location and I’m now located in the Dallas Midway Towers. It wasn’t easy but I was determined to make it happen and I did just that. No loans, No Help I fully funded everything out of my pocket, but that’s what makes it all mean so much more!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Label 23 Clothing?
Let’s start with the name I chose label 23 clothing because I wanted to stand out and have a name that could become a brand, so I didn’t want a name with “boutique” in it. I take pride in making women look and feel good so I specialize in trendy women’s clothing and accessories that are within the times and styles we live in. I plan to eventually widen my selling scope into children and men’s clothing as well. One of the most important things I want people to get from my brand is exceptional customer service not only am I selling clothes I want to give the best customer service experience which I feel we lack as business owners within our community. When you think of label 23 clothing, I want people to think of an establishment that sells affordable trendy quality clothing and gives customers an unmatched customer service experience. As I grow and evolve in the boutique world, I plan to set the bar very high and become one of the top clothing brands in the business.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
“Trial and Error”. I spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect mentor/coach until I realized there’s no such thing as a perfect mentor. No one has become a successful business owner without making mistakes along the way so you have to find someone that you can relate to someone that can show and give you the tools needed to become a success. Anyone can obtain knowledge but applying it is what will show how bad you want it. When I chose my mentor, I wanted someone that has became a success in my area of business not just a business coach, that makes a huge difference. There are so many mentors but can they mentor you in your exact business area, can they show you first-hand what it takes to have a successful business based off their own success and knowledge and give the good, bad, and ugly. Do your research ask questions and don’t think about the price always remember it’s an investment for yourself and your business.
Contact Info:
- Email: Label23clothing@gmail.com
- Website: www.label23clothing.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/label23clothing
- Facebook: Facebook.com/label23clothing
- Yelp: Yelp.com/label23clothing
