Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia McMillian.
Claudia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
This has been an interesting journey full of uncertainty and dedication, but fun at the same time! I was walking, headed back to my desk at work and a very pretty lady I didn’t know came up to me and said: “Hey do you want to start a clothing line”? I told her, yes, and that is how I met my business partner for the first time and we started our journey together. Little did I know that we would become best of friends, business partners, and she would be my sister-in-law, but that is a story for another day.
As we began brainstorming and making our ideas come to life, at times it felt like what we needed was hidden as in a scavenger hunt! There were so many questions that we didn’t know the answers to. Yet when we figured out what to ask, we received different answers based on who we asked. It was a bit frustrating sorting through what was true and false. It is great having a business partner to bounce ideas off of and to help sort through the not so clear directions we received, yet at times we were still like “we are over it”! Then I had a breakthrough that changed everything! My business partner found Jance Chartae and shared one of her videos with me; it was a game-changer!
I subscribed to her channel and started listening to her videos on a regular. We improved our plan and acquired the tools necessary to start our online Boutique! As of today we launched on 4/22/19, and have attended five vendor events locally this year. Before the end of 2019. we will be adding a luxury consignment segment to our website. We at Clausha’s Boutique are excited about what is to come! So look forward to us growing our online presence and touching every state with our fashion influence!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, the road was not smooth but I equate that to the lack of knowledge in the legalities and processes needed to start a business. These are some of the struggles we encountered: How to register as an LLC, how to register with the Governor’s office, how to get items wholesale, setting up inventory tracking, knowing what vendor events are good investments, how to get traffic to your website, pricing points, etc. We are consistently evolving, learning, growing, and improving.
Tell us more about the business.
Clausha’s Boutique is a boutique that sells jewelry, accessories, shoes and clothes for ladies. We specialize in helping ladies stay trendy and obtaining cute fashionable items at a very reasonable price. We are known for our reasonable price point while still providing stylish items. We are most proud of our “what you see is what you get” philosophy. We have our items already in stock and the pictures we post are the exact items that you will get. A lot of online clothing boutiques advertise an item, but send you a “version” of what they show. We will never do that to our customers and we will maintain our standards. Integrity is very important and we sell items that we wear and would want. We are set apart by our integrity and business practices while maintaining value and elegance that lady’s value.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. I do believe in favor. I pray for the favor of the Highest. I have asked for the works of my hands to be blessed and believe that they are. I believe that success can be predicted as Miles Monroe once said. Your actions, planning and investing can predict your success. I believe in working hard, investing in yourself and business and believing that you will be successful. I am successful in my career and know that I can be even more successful in my business because I am willing to work hard until I am.
Not luck, but the favor will push me to the heights that I cannot get to myself. I will make sure that I am ready.
Pricing:
- Jewelry cost $7 and up
- Clothing cost $7 and up
- Accessories cost $5 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clausha.com
- Phone: 803-752-8433
- Email: claushasboutique@gmail.com
- Instagram: @claushasboutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claushasboutique/
- Twitter: @ClaushasBoutique
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