Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Grubic.
Hi Grace, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For most women bras are something they would rather not think about, but I always loved them. From my very first bra fitting, I loved the way they had the power to make me feel. When I had a cute bra on, my whole day seemed to go better. When I had an ugly bra on, I felt completely different. I was also lucky enough to grow up in a body-positive family where I never felt like boobs were something to hide or be ashamed of and was always taught how to buy bras that fit properly.
When I was in high school, my best friend and I would often visit the local bra fitting boutique and drag our other friends along to get fitted. Then in college while studying International Relations, I picked up an after-school job at the local bra fitting and lingerie boutique. There, I learned the basics of bra fitting, customer care, and the challenges of running a small business. After graduation, I moved home to Austin and started working in the lingerie department at Nordstrom. I got to work with customers of all body types and get comfortable with the breadth of bra sizes as well as learning the value of great customer service.
However, through all of this, I never really thought of working in retail as a career option, and soon moved to Washington, D.C. to attempt to put my degree to use. After several years there, I moved to New York with my now husband. After the Covid lockdown, I ended up working at my go-to bra boutique in Brooklyn. I quickly reignited my passion for bra fitting and for helping women look and feel their best. The owner of that store has been an amazing mentor to me and made me think of bra fitting and retail in a whole new light, and I began to dream about one day owning my own store.
I already knew from family in Fort Worth that there really weren’t any inclusive bra stores in the area. So when my husband and I relocated here I knew there was space for a store like mine, though I still wasn’t sure I would be able to pull it off. I began working at a bra store in Dallas, commuting 45 minutes each way. This store was the closest place I would be able to buy a bra in my correct size! I knew then that I had to create an accessible and inclusive space in Fort Worth where women of all sizes could get properly fitted and have fun finding comfortable and cute bras. And so Wildflower Intimates was born.
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?
Of course starting a small business from scratch is never a completely smooth road, but I have been incredibly lucky. Creating a business plan, finding retail space, securing funding, and learning the ins and outs of business management were all challenges I happily accepted. I have also been so blessed with an incredibly supportive husband who is there for me at every turn. We also have incredible customers and supporters who show up again and again for us. As the business has grown over the past two years I have hired two employees who have been fantastic and allowed me more space to focus on running the business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wildflower Intimates is Fort Worth’s first and only inclusive bra fitting and lingerie store and the only independent, locally owned bra fitting and lingerie store this side of the Metroplex. We specialize in bra fittings and carry over 200 bra sizes in store so we can help as many people as possible find their correct bra size. Most women wear bras that don’t fit, leading to pain, discomfort, and a lack of confidence. It is our mission to help everyone who walks through our doors find the bra that makes them feel beautiful and confident!
Beyond bras, we stock a wide array of sleep and loungewear, lingerie, and bathing suits in all sizes. We are also proud to welcome our LGBTQIA+ community looking for undergarments that work for their specific needs. Our customers come from all walks of life, are all sizes and ages, and have become such a beautiful community. Each customer comes to us with their own story, and we take our job seriously to listen with empathy and compassion to help them find what they need. It may sound corny, but undergarments are truly such intimate garments, it can be a loaded shopping experience for many, and we are here to make it as fun and easy as possible.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The hardest but I think the most important lesson that I have learned is that sometimes you can’t please everyone. I really believe in my work and the products I sell, but there are some people out there who are just not going to like what I am offering. I will always strive to help every customer find the best bra or garment for their needs, but on rare occasions that doesn’t happen, and it can be hard to accept! I am still working on that one.
Pricing:
- Bra fittings are complimentary
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildflowerintimates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerintimates_fwtx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildflowerintimates
