Have you ever thought about running your own online fashion boutique, but felt uncertain about the financial and logistical demands of inventory? For many aspiring business owners, the costs and time commitments associated with inventory management are the biggest hurdle when it comes to establishing a thriving business. Dropshipping is a great way to overcome the challenges of inventory management, whether you’re just starting out as a retailer or an established business looking to streamline your daily operations. We recently posted an overview of how to get started with a dropshipping partner, and why dropshipping is a great fit for many online boutique owners. Today, we’ll be sharing the answers to seven common questions about dropshipping models. 1. How does dropshipping work? Let’s start with the basics: what is dropshipping, and how can...

Our Sun & Fun Vacation Packing Guide There’s something about summer that makes us incredibly eager to schedule a trip (or two!). Maybe it’s memories of childhood family vacations, maybe it’s all the long holiday weekends, or maybe it’s just the warm and sunny weather. Whatever the reason, we’re currently finalizing our summer vacay plans—and the wardrobes to go with them! See what we’re planning to pack for six quintessential summertime getaways. I’m headed…to the beach There’s no vacation that sums up summer quite like a trip to the beach! Whether you’re spreading out your blanket for a single afternoon in the sun or posting up for an entire week by the ocean, you’ll need a few staples to make the most of all that sand and surf. Start with a loose-fitting...

Still hanging on to shades of black, navy, and grey from the somber days of winter? It’s time for a change! The rapid approach of summer has us planning a colorful closet overhaul with a focus on fresh, bright hues for the carefree days ahead. In preparation for summer, we put together a vibrant palette of five trending colors, from a pastel shade with serious staying power to neons that are anything but neutral. Read on to find out why we love these summer colors and how you can make them a part of your wardrobe. Ballet Pink Millenial pink, delicate pink, rose, baby pink…whatever you call this color, there’s no doubting the power of pink! Pale pink has been a...

Fantastic weather, outdoor happy hours, backyard barbecues, long vacations…all the things we love about summer are double-edged swords for retailers, luring customers away from stores in favor of the season’s sun and fun. Even experienced boutique owners can find it challenging to beat the so-called “summertime slump,” when foot traffic and sales alike can take a serious nosedive as shoppers turn their attention elsewhere. As we head into the summer months, consider these simple ways to help your boutique thrive all season long. 1. Offer Seasonal Promotions: There’s a good reason so many retailers schedule sales during summer holidays. Because lots of people travel during the season’s long holiday weekends, those dates can be among the toughest selling periods for almost any type of business. However, festive summer occasions are also a great...

In the age of ever-changing algorithms, competitive paid advertising, and celebrity influencers, it can feel more challenging than ever to establish an impactful social media presence. Maintaining social media accounts for your boutique is a major investment of time—and often money—so you want to make sure your efforts really count. For many boutique owners, Instagram is the most powerful platform for connecting with customers, building a distinctive brand image, and driving sales. Here are five ways you can give your Instagram account a boost without blowing your boutique’s marketing budget.   Partner with Influencers: If you’ve ever seen a sponsored post from a major celebrity, you know the power of an Instagram partnership. While big-name influencers like Kim Kardashian are...

Do you ever find yourself staring into your closet, simultaneously overwhelmed by your options and certain that you have nothing to wear? A more expertly curated collection of clothing might be the answer to any wardrobe woes you experience when choosing your outfit each day—enter the capsule! The concept of the capsule wardrobe was developed in the 1970s by London boutique owner Susie Faux. Essentially, a capsule clothing collection starts with a small number of timeless items—like versatile pants, skirts, and outerwear—that gets augmented each season by fresh statement pieces and accessories. Ideally, the pieces in a capsule collection should all mix and match, so you can create lots of outfits with a relatively low number of items. A capsule wardrobe...

How do you make sure shoppers keep coming back to your boutique? Building a loyal customer base starts with great products. But recent reports from retail industry insiders show that customer expectations for their entire shopping experience are higher than ever. A successful business is no longer only about great product—it’s about a thoughtful, positive experience that seamlessly extends from your website to your packaging to your customer service team. Coupled with the fact that online retail has made shoppers more price-conscious than before, it’s harder than ever to build long-lasting relationships with your customers. Enter the loyalty program. Loyalty programs are a great way to thank your customers for their business and make them feel valuable, essential parts of creating an...

The sun is shining, birds are singing, temperatures are climbing—all signs point toward spring and that means one thing: spring break! If there’s a tropical getaway in your future this season, a new warm weather wardrobe is likely on your mind. With poolside afternoons and fruity cocktails on the horizon, we’ve created our essential packing list for a spectacular spring break. The Perfect Carry-On: No one likes to start out their vacation by jamming their clothes into a too-small overnight bag, or being forced to gate check that oversized roll-aboard before you even make it onto the plane. Successful packing starts with the right luggage! Double-check those TSA carry-on measurements when selecting your spring break bag, then try rolling your clothes...

For any boutique owner, one of the biggest challenges you face as you grow your business is setting your brand apart. That starts with your style, of course; a unique perspective on fashion and a powerful understanding of the latest trends is essential to success as a boutique owner. But there’s more to the customer interaction than just your merchandise. When customers step into your store, they should have a one-of-a-kind experience that differentiates your brand and seals it into their memory using all of the senses. Here are five unexpected (and surprisingly simple!) ways you can make your store stand out.   A Signature Scent: Did you know that scent is an incredibly important factor in building memories? The olfactory system...

As you build an online presence for your boutique, you might find it challenging to track the overall value and impact of social media for your brand. The social media space is constantly changing, with new networks and shifting algorithms making it difficult to keep your online presence cutting edge. This is especially true if you’re a small business without a dedicated social media manager or support from an advertising agency. To track the success of your social media campaigns, you can use a variety of metrics known as KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). As your business grows, you’ll dig deeper into social media and discover that there are countless KPIs to consider. If you’re just starting to build an online following...