Meet Rachel Sanchez & Justin Sokol

Rachel grew up working in her family-owned business where she now serves as CEO and runs one of the largest woman-owned, family-owned, custodial, and facilities maintenance companies in the nation. She learned so much about business from that experience and knew she could take that knowledge to execute on fulfilling her dream to open a boutique. 

Around 4 years ago, Rachel was shopping in Bishop Arts and ventured into a cute store with great items. But most of all, she had a connection with Justin who was working at the store. He was positive, engaging, and super fun to shop with. He was able to expertly select clothing items that made her feel confident. It was a memorable shopping experience and so much so that she made sure to visit Justin for future shopping excursions to Bishop Arts. 

On May 1, 2021, Rachel was in Bishop Arts for a girl’s day out and told her friends that they had to go see Justin and shop with him. While Rachel was there and catching up with Justin, she mentioned to him her dream of opening a boutique. Turns out they had a mutual dream, and he wanted the same. Rachel told him, “I know exactly where I want it to be…the historic McKinney, TX square”. Justin had never been to McKinney but told her he had heard great things about it. They decided to set up a day in June to meet out there so Rachel could show him around and he could see the overall vibe. 

In the meantime, Rachel reached out to her realtor, Colleen to start looking for spaces that were available. Neither Justin nor Rachel had a clue how much rent was going for. Rachel told her that they envisioned something small and old. On that day in June when Justin and Rachel met out there, Justin instantly fell in love with the downtown square and understood why Rachel wanted the boutique there. 

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and a space became available…a whopping 175 square feet in a 105-year-old building with the nicest building owner you could ask for. Rachel went and looked at the space, face-timed Justin and they both saw the potential in the space. But they were both scared to take the leap. So, they talked and decided this dream would need to simmer for a bit. 

It continued to be on Rachel’s heart and she couldn’t get the quaint tiny little space out of her head. So, she contacted Justin and told him what was on her mind. He thought about it some more and decided it was time to execute on his dream as well. 

Rachel and Justin moved forward with getting the spot secured, and then the fun began!! Justin was living in Dallas at the time and decided if he was going to do this, he was all in and wanted to live close to the boutique. He moved from Dallas to the McKinney square (walking distance to the store). 

Even though Rachel had years of experience operating a business she had no idea how to run a retail store so the duo started doing research of everything they needed to open the doors…. the best POS systems, websites., merchandise, fixtures, etc. 

Looking back, they are both absolutely amazed at how they accomplished to open the boutique in just a couple of months. With sheer determination and their dream at the forefront, they made it happen and had their Grand Opening on October 16th, 2021. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s not been a completely smooth road. We knew our initial biggest challenge would be making the best use out of our tiny space. The store is 175 square feet so figuring out how to incorporate some of the best fashion in that space has been a unique challenge. However, I think we have conquered it, and it’s encouraging to hear people comment positively on how many incredible items we have in the tiny space. 

Another challenge has been people knowing we are an actual boutique. The boutique is located about 1/2 block off the McKinney square. There are no other boutiques near us so most people somewhat stumble upon because we are near a large parking lot that serves the downtown area. We don’t have a storefront window so we have utilized social media as well as the exterior sidewalk to attract new customers. 

We continue to work on growing our brand awareness. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Rachel 

My parents started a commercial cleaning company in 1976…ironically in McKinney, TX. I grew up with my parents taking me alongside them to the jobs when I was just a baby. But as soon as I was old enough to push a broom, that’s what I was doing! The funny thing is when the company started, they actually had quite a few accounts on the McKinney Square. The first time I took my mom to our boutique space, she looked across the street and said, “Me and your dad used to wash those windows.” That was a sign to me that our space was meant to be. 

As I got older, I continued to work in the business and held various roles. Having a front-row seat to watch my parents start a business, grow and scale it while delivering outstanding service to their clients gave me a unique understanding of what it takes to be successful in business. 

I always wanted to start my own business utilizing something I have a passion for. I absolutely LOVE fashion. I want people to feel more confident in their own skin. I truly believe that the right wardrobe pieces and accessories can help bring your best self to the world each day. It’s about way more than fashion for me, I want people to leave our store feeling happy, and ready to take on the world. 

I’m most proud about taking the leap to open our store. I had some slight hesitation because I do continue to fun my commercial cleaning company so it’s taken the art of juggling for me to do them both. I’m still figuring it out but I’m so happy I took the leap. I did not want to always think “what if”. 

Justin 

Justin has worked in various industries and ironically owned a residential cleaning company in California. Yes, we are both clean freaks! He worked in hospitality, a florist shop, and then the boutique industry. When he started working at a boutique in the Dallas Bishop Arts area, he had no experience in the fashion industry, but quickly realized how much he loved it. 

He found that he has a driving passion to help people feel good about themselves by choosing the right ensemble to wear. Not only did he discover a knack for that, but he also has an amazing eye for coordinating and teaching people how to use wardrobe pieces in multiple ways. Dressed up, dressed down for a casual look, or anything in between, he can create any look the customer desires. By taking what someone already has in their closet, and adding a few new staple pieces, he can give them everything they need to boost their confidence and help them put their best foot forward. 

One of the things that makes Marie Gregory unique is the personalized styling services that Justin provides. We have various options that include in-home styling, virtual styling, and in-boutique styling. 

The in-home styling is the most comprehensive and helps our clients level up their fashion game. It includes a 3-hour consultation and closet editing session followed by a 2-hour session. What is most important for both Justin and me, is that our clients’ wardrobes work for them daily…not just a special event here and there. 

Another unique aspect of our boutique is the personalized custom accessories such as handbags, jackets, and belts that we offer. We partner with true artists that make our client’s vision for a unique clothing item or accessory a reality. Whatever you could possibly dream up that you want on a handbag we can make it happen. It’s so fun to work with clients on these custom pieces and know that it’s uniquely theirs. 

We are both most proud of the engagement in the community we have had in the McKinney Square. We love getting to know the other store owners and collaborating. Marie Gregory and Gather in Downtown McKinney just hosted our first fashion show and had great participation from other stores in the square. The show benefitted a local nonprofit, Leia’s Kids. They are helping families that are battling childhood cancer. Being able to pull off a successful show all for a great cause was so rewarding. We have plans to host these twice a year and continue to make them even bigger and better with proceeds benefitting worthy nonprofits in our community. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Rachel

My favorite childhood memory was definitely vacation time! My parents always made it a priority to take a week off once a year and have family time. The vacations were modest, always a road trip somewhere…. typically to state parks in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. I remember one trip in particular in Arkansas where we stayed in a cabin that had a screened-in porch with beds. My brother and I slept on that porch and I just loved hearing the sounds of the outside. That same trip we canoed down the Buffalo River. I think those kinds of trips instilled the love of travel in me and exploring the beautiful national parks in the U.S. 

Justin 

My favorite memories are also vacation time! My brothers, mom, and dad would pile up in the Delta 88 Oldsmobile and drive to southern Missouri to Bull Shoals Lake. I’ll never forget that as we got close, we would turn down this dirt road, and then I could see on a hill the cabins where we would stay. It was this tucked-away resort in the middle of nowhere. My dad would take his dingy boat and fish every day. We would swim and go to the main office every day for an ice cream treat. There was this nice lady that would take us out on her pontoon boat and give us Doritoes to eat. Good times!