Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Brown.
Mari, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From early on in life, I was heavily influenced by my parents with their hard work and, specifically, by my mother’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive. The first business I opened was an interior design and event planning business. That was followed up with an investment in a franchise tax business. Today, I currently own and operate a lingerie boutique.
Most recently, I have had the pleasure to work as an actress on a film titled AUTO by the talented writer and producer Lamonte Hawley. I play a Detective, Allison Langley, who is investigating the murders of several women. This most recent addition of acting to my resume has opened a passion within me that I did not know existed. I think it is important that we allow ourselves to be open to experiencing new things. Doing so allows one to discover hidden talents, find undiscovered interests, and help to ultimately define who we are.
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?
Being a business owner involves many beautiful moments. But owning a business can have many challenges that most business owners do not talk about. The biggest challenge that I have faced as a business owner is staffing, being able to obtain talent that is able to maintain reliability, serve customers effectively, and contribute to sales goals.
Additionally, the retail industry has fluctuating seasons where a sales period may exceed expectations and other times where you experience loss due to unattainable sales objectives. There has to be a good checks and balances system in place so that when sales are low, there is capital to help fund any expenses that aren’t covered by business sales, such as rent, inventory, staffing costs, and other bills.
TIP: Being in a period where sales are lackluster can be frustrating. But it doesn’t affect business as much if you have a system in place where funds are available to draw from as needed. During periods where sales goals are exceeded, allow for opportunities where an emergency fund can be created. Calculate and draft an emergency fund that will cover business expenses for a one-month, three-month, or six-month period (whichever is applicable to your financial circumstances and based on affordability). Remember, this emergency fund will be created from months where sales goals have been exceeded. You will not fund your emergency pot with your personal finances or from months where sales objectives were not met. You will save a feasible amount during each month from your sales overages at a rate that makes sense for you and your business until you have enough funds saved to cover costs for one of the periods of time mentioned above.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Route 12 Box 480 LLC, also known as ROUTE 12, is a boutique where our base product is lingerie. We offer other products such as men’s pajamas, trendy jewelry and accessories as well as halter tops, skirts, dresses, and matching sets. Our products are online based and available at www.route12lingerie.com
Route 12 products are handpicked by a team of associates who specialize in offering items that have options for everybody! Sizes range from XS to 3XL.
We have products available online 24/7 at www.route12lingerie.com, participate in vendor shows, make special appearances, and host private lingerie events. Visit us online and submit an inquiry to learn about special events at www.route12lingerie.com.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Route 12 customers have made my experience as a retail business owner one that has been unforgettable and extremely rewarding. I had an idea. I presented the idea to my customers, and they literally turned my idea into an unbelievable reality. The support I have experienced as a retail store owner has been overwhelming as, at times, the product was not able to meet the demand. Many days have been marked as sold out, and that would only be possible with the support of the customer!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.route12lingerie.com
- Facebook: route12box480
