When Erin Seabold moved to the Denver area in January 2007, she came with a dream. And now she's sharing that dream with thousands of women across Colorado in a big way.
"Many women today start a small business because they have a passion. They may love making jewelry, or designing fashion accessories, or creating one-of-a-kind handbags," stated Seabold. "But they are constantly challenged with new ways to market their businesses. They don't understand the nuances of continually reaching out to new audiences, and so most of these businesses fail."
Enter A Boutique for the Soul
A Boutique for the Soul connects women selling unique products and services with women ready and willing to buy. It provides a way to showcase and promote local women business owners in an in-home environment, and connects these passionate business owners with dozens of women who come to shop, network with each other and build relationships.
"I've done over 10 shows through Boutique for the Soul, and I plan to do more," stated Teresa Lipsey, owner of ReesesRocks.com, an online boutique that provides men and women's custom accessories. "I like being a part of Boutique for the Soul because you never know who you are going to meet. I always look forward to the opportunity to share with and meet new people. And it's great to make a profit as well! But the profit is not always money; it's the experience and the relationships that I take from them as well."
In Home Parties
A Boutique for the Soul brings the boutique experience down to a small, intimate level.
As a hostess, a woman opens up her home or small business location for an evening of fun. She can keep the affair private, just for family and friends; or she can open it up to the public, and bring in a variety of prospects. She provides a list of guests, usually 40 or more names, and the Boutique facilitator does the rest.
The Boutique facilitator ensures the party will be a complete success. She handles the invitations and announcements, complete setup and organization, including catering. Boutique for the Soul has partnered with Party Stylings of Castle Rock to provide quality catering for each event.
Every boutique consists of multiple businesses, each providing a non-competing product or service. Event visitors can visit each business owner in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying food, a glass of wine, and an evening of friendship.
"Each business owner has the possibility of gaining not just one or two new clients, but dozens of new clients at every event they participate in," stated Seabold. "Right now we have several parties a week, but will be expanding throughout the Colorado area over the next few months. This will provide unlimited visibility to these businesses."
Because Seabold has a desire to help as many women as possible succeed, she has also taken the extra step of working with Dress for Success. Dress for Success is a national organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged women achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools. At each event, women are encouraged to bring a donation of clothing or accessories to help support an even wider population of women trying to succeed in the business world.
Business Mentoring
One of the top frustrations with small creative business owners is finding a way to get their products in front of new clients. While Boutique for the Soul helps gain visibility, the frustration doesn't end there. Many new business owners still have trouble building the business, balancing business and personal time, and understanding more advanced marketing strategies.
This fall, A Boutique for the Soul began offering a variety of tools specifically to help these small business owners continually market their businesses, both in and outside the in-home party atmosphere.
"For our first workshop, I have partnered with Marie McEachin from Successful Intentions, Scottsdale, AZ, and will be offering life/business coaching that will present advice on bringing balance into a home business lifestyle," said Seabold. "We'll be bringing her and other experts in on a continual basis to really help the small business owner understand what it takes to make a business thrive."
To find out more about A Boutique for the Soul, or to view a calendar of events, please visit http://boutique4thesoul.com/
For more information:
Erin Seabold
Boutique Owner/Facilitator
303-814-8482
http://boutique4thesoul.com/