Well, today's a big day for me. An exciting day but an oh so overwhelming day as well. As I've mentioned a few times before, I have been working on a personal project for the last 4 months. It's something I always envisioned myself doing but also something I was a little scared to take the plunge on. But I am very excited and proud to say that I am starting my own boutique - ZIA - which will open in late summer in Wilmington.
So how did this come about? Ever since I was a little girl, I told my parents I wanted to have a store. And then I went to school (not for business, not for fashion, not for anything related to owning a retail business) and graduated saying I wanted to open a store. Instead, I went to work for a great advertising agency where I learned so much about the ins and outs of managing advertising for clients. Almost two years ago, I made the switch to a company owned and operated by my extended family, working first in real estate and custom homes before changing over to run the marketing departments. I have truly found my niche in marketing, but I still felt like something else was missing.
I have always wanted to own my own company, but that's been a scary concept. Around Christmas this past year, I once again said to my parents, "I want to open up a boutique." My parents are very supportive but also realistic, so in the past, it was often met with, "I'm not sure if that's a good idea, etc." But this time, while sitting on my parents' kitchen floor playing with one of their dogs, my dad said, "Well, why not?" And so the vision for my own store - ZIA Boutique - began.
To say this has been a season of learning is an understatement and there is still so much more to learn. I have decided to do this in a season of life that is already busy (hello, wedding in August!), but Stephen has been so incredibly supportive in this as well. So in the last few months, I have created my LLC, gone to Atlanta Apparel Mart, scouted space locations, placed clothing orders worked on a website, and signed a lease for a space where my vision will finally come to fruition.
It's a scary undertaking, but I've realized that it's part of life to be a little scared when you're working towards big things. Susan Fales-Hill said, "Terrified of what's next? You're on the right track." That has been so applicable to these last few months. I've had a few meltdowns, a few Am I doing the right thing? moments. I'm leaving behind a great career in marketing to embark on an adventure that I am still learning so much about, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do this.
What will the next few years bring? I honestly am not sure. But a big part of my courage to do this has been from the support this blog has given me. The community I have become a part of through blogging is one that is incredible, and today, I'm asking for a little bit more support. ZIA Boutique will be a brick-and-mortar out of Wilmington, but I will also be offering inventory online. Through the next few months, I would love if you would check it out, share with your friends, follow along on Instagram and on Facebook, etc.
I've had people ask me why ZIA. Zia is a nickname I've had for quite a few years and is what a lot of my friends call me. Zia also means light, which is where I find so much of my inspiration. When I sat down to work on branding ideas, ZIA seemed like the perfect fit. I played around with a few logo ideas and that came easily as well, and I took that to mean it was meant to be. A friend of mine also joked that it stands for "Zelle In Action," which is hilarious but also fitting. So here we are - ZIA Boutique is opening in September and I can't wait to share!
As for now, my cousin and I are headed to Atlanta for my second market and shopping for holiday. I can't wait to see some great pieces - follow on Insta for a little behind the scenes!