Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Henyon.
Hi Emma, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved the process of buying and selling! I began my retail business while I was still in college at Dallas Baptist University. I did pop-ups all over the place-at retail locations, vendor shows, friends’ houses, sorority houses, etc. I also had a couple of booths where I sold my merchandise. I grew up in the small town of Aledo, Texas. There were not many places close by to shop for clothing, jewelry, gifts, etc., so I decided to open up a little boutique in an old house in town while I was just 21 years old! The community support was tremendous, and I grew faster than I ever could have ever imagined. When the little A-frame house next door to my shop became available, I expanded and moved my gifts and baby items into that space. It was a perfect place to launch my business, and I will be forever grateful to my sweet, loyal customers for their support. I quickly realized I was outgrowing my first location, and it was time to make a move. Emmacate Boutique is now in an historic building in downtown Aledo. My husband also has a space in the store where he sells items for men. Our shop truly feels like home, and we hope to be there for many years to come. Although this business requires an extreme amount of stress and hard work, the blessings it has brought to me and my family are too many to count!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any small business owner would say it is a smooth road. We have faced many challenges along the way, and growing pains seem to be inevitable. Some of our interesting obstacles have been moving locations a couple of times, learning new processes that are necessary for growth, problems with the buildings we have leased, being available 24/7, financial hurdles, the physical hard work of unpacking boxes, hauling things around, etc. However, as we are faced with trials, our strength, determination, focus, and faith all grow. We love what we do, and we are so thankful for each and every day we get to serve our amazing customers! It really is a dream come true!
We’ve been impressed with EmmaCate Boutique, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Emmacate is a clothing and gift boutique in the heart of Aledo, Texas. We offer a variety of items for our customers, including dresses, tops, pants, shorts, athleisure wear, shoes, pajamas, jewelry, etc. We also have a small section of baby items and wonderful options for men to shop in our section called the Hen House. We have a large selection of gift options, including candles, bath and body items, paper goods, specialty bags, and so much more! We have a monogramming service as well. We love to host ladies shopping nights and give back a percentage of our sales to local charities and school groups. We strive to have excellent customer service with the best employees in town!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I love to use the Boutique Hub as a resource. It is great to learn from others’ experiences and advice as we navigate this road of owning a small business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopemmacate.com | www.shophenhouse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopemmacate/?hl=en | https://www.instagram.com/shop.henhouse/?hl=en
