Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jenkins.
Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi. My name is Lauren Jenkins. I’m a wife of an active-duty Marine and mom of 2 boys (and 3 dogs and 2 cats). I have a bachelor’s degree in Marketing but never got to utilize my business degree in the corporate world due to having my oldest son my senior year in college, then moving every few years due to marrying into the military lifestyle. Fast forward about 8 years to me giving birth to our youngest son while my husband was deployed overseas. Being a military wife is full of its challenges and I felt invincible after all the challenges I faced and overcame. I started my business, Erth Apparel, just a few months after Covid (April 2020) began and when my youngest was also only about 6 months old. I was breastfeeding around the clock and my husband lived 1300 miles away at this time. I started my business with my son in one arm and my phone in the other hand. The boutique was online and in my home for over a year. I would have a themed party every month with a guest host and invite all my girlfriends over to sip, shop, and just have good quality girl time. I opened my first brick-and-mortar inside another boutique in Aug 2021 and opened my own storefront in January 2022. We are now located downtown Paris, Tx, and have a line of apparel inside a local gym. I love what I do because I love to connect with my customers and make them feel beautiful inside and out. I love to support other moms, women, and military spouse entrepreneurs. I also love being able to bring a new and fresh style to Paris and unique, one-of-a-kind pieces you can’t find every day and may not find again!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think opening and sticking with any kind of business is a “smooth road”. There may be some smooth parts but it’s definitely going to be bumpy along the way and probably have a few major potholes. I’m currently facing a predicament myself with having to relocate soon and not having any concrete plans as to where I’m moving yet. The building I am leasing sold and the new owners have plans to renovate the space I’m in. There are also waves of good sales at times as well as slow weeks and months. It can be hard to stay positive at times and not compare yourself to boutiques that have been open 5, 10, or more years.
As you know, we’re big fans of Erth Apparel. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a boutique in downtown Paris Texas. We offer a variety of activewear and casual wear for women sizes extra small to 3X. Our apparel is trendy and high quality, but affordable. We also carry a wide variety of accessories including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, purses, sandals, etc. We love to offer a one-of-a-kind experience when you shop with those and can assist you one-on-one however you need us to. We love to invite other women entrepreneurs to set up with us and advertise their businesses as well. I am a firm believer that we can all get further together.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me would mean time and freedom. to be able to have that family time and be able to participate in events /travel with my kids while they are still young but still be financially comfortable/stable and be able to give back to my community.
Contact Info:
- Email: Shoperthapparel@gmail.com
- Website: www.shoperthapparel.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/erth.apparel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Downtoerthptx
