Today we’d like to introduce you to Trissa Rosette.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Trissa. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
About five years ago, while on a girls trip, I happened upon a boutique in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas. Everything about this boutique – the way it was arranged, the kind interaction with the lovely staff, the way the women shopping in the boutique were enjoying their experience – spoke to my heart. I was so smitten with the boutique and had such an emotional reaction that when I walked out, I whispered to mom, “I would love to own a shop like that!”
I remember thinking, how would a socially awkward and shy introvert like myself own a shop where interacting with complete strangers would be my primary role? At the time, it seemed like a laughable consideration. However, I’m a strong believer that the words we speak have meaning and power! Apparently, that whisper to my mom was, in fact, an announcement to the universe. Soon after that moment, God set in motion a plan to prepare me for boutique ownership. It’s as if He said, “Ok, I hear you. Put your big girl pants on and get ready to build the knowledge and confidence you’ll need to pull this off.”
Just a few months before this revelational girls trip, I had “out of the blue” taken a new job as a Marketing Director of a small, but growing products-based company. Before that, I had been a part-time freelance graphic designer for about ten years and worked from home. So, going back to work full-time was a huge change. I had shocked my husband and even myself when I decided to take this leap back into the corporate world.
A few weeks into my job as Marketing Director, my boss came to me and asked if I would attend an event where she wanted me to speak on a panel and then vend products. And I politely told her, “No, thanks.” The introvert inside screamed, “Oh, dear God, no!” That “no” didn’t stand long, though. A few months later, the staff (the two of us) traveled to Atlanta for an enormous trade show. This would require me to interact with and educate hundreds of women about our products, and even provide demonstrations. To my surprise, I absolutely loved the experience! I met so many beautiful women on those two days. I shared my personal experiences with our products, I listened to and addressed customers’ concerns and helped them make decisions on purchases. I completely shocked myself! On that day, I found out that this introvert could confidently engage and connect with strangers in a way that was impactful. I left that event emotionally and physically exhausted but wanting more. I wanted to do it, again. After several events, I became comfortable in customer-facing environments and knew that I had gained the crucial confidence I needed to start my own boutique.
Initially, I investigated opening a brick and mortar boutique. After much research, I determined that the overhead cost of a brick and mortar was far more than I wanted to take on. In my research for tiny boutique ideas, I stumbled onto the concept of a mobile boutique housed in something called an Airstream. I had heard of an Airstream before but didn’t really know much about them. I quickly fell in love with this shiny, undeniably beautiful vintage trailer. Before I knew it, I was the proud owner of a 1968 Airstream soon to be converted into my own tiny boutique. It was never my desire to just sell stuff. Instead, I wanted Good & Well to be thoughtful and purpose-filled. I also intended to continue to do what I had been doing for the past 15 years as a graphic designer: to support and serve women. In this case, Good & Well proudly celebrates and supports American women makers.
With the help of my family, specifically my oh-so-funny, quick-witted cousin, Adrienne and my loving and supportive husband, Anthony, we aim to provide a fun shopping experience while connecting with our customers. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a long joyful journey. Good & Well is in its infancy – not even a year old, but I hope to continue to build Good & Well, and to grow it into a destination where women shop, support other women and feel good about their purchases. That’s what it’s all about!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Good & Well Boutique is still a baby as far as businesses go, and for the most part, it has been smooth sailing. And by smooth sailing I mean, I’ve successfully overcome a healthy number of mistakes and challenges. Transforming a narrow 19 ft x 7 ft space into a welcoming space that wouldn’t feel cramped for shoppers was no easy feat. I researched, planned, designed, and redesigned until I had a space plan that made sense. Truthfully, the toughest challenge that I didn’t foresee was designing and maximizing space with curved walls. This quintessential Airstream feature that I adore was a real design challenge. Once I had a final space plan, I built the space out, mostly on my own, but with the help of my dad, my husband and a local carpenter. Throughout the planning and building process, my confidence ebbed and flowed. And, most days, it felt like there was more ebbing than flowing. I found myself working alone and feeling a bit isolated, but, in the end, it was so worth it. I have built a business, figuratively and physically, and I’m so pleased with the outcome. When customers come into the boutique with their jaw on the floor in total shock that a 1968 Airstream has been converted into a women’s boutique, it’s confirmation for me that I’ve succeeded.
Because I knew that the idea of a mobile boutique would perplex a lot of people and raise a few eyebrows, I didn’t initially tell many people of my plan. I was very protective of my vision. Instead, I chose to share my vision with only those who I knew would offer positive vibes. I am so thankful for all who supported my vision and believed in me. When you decide to build a business based on a fairly new concept, maintaining confidence through the journey can be challenging; therefore, healthy, positive support is crucial. Often times when people build businesses, they are in a hurry to get it up and running. I get it! At some point, you just want to get going. But, I had to work within my personality, which doesn’t like to be rushed and is very deliberate. Since this was my business and the only person I had to answer to was myself, I was able to build my business with my personality in mind. We, as new business owners, have to sometimes turn off the outside input and influences coming from every direction and give ourselves grace, time, and space to properly execute our vision in the fashion that makes sense for us. It’s not an approach often taken, but it’s such a freeing experience that I think will ultimately result in business longevity.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Good & Well Boutique – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Here at Good & Well, our soul is on fire for amazing American makers. We are giving high fives and chest bumps to all those who follow their heart’s desire to reignite the spirit of making right here in the U.S. We currently support over 15 different women makers. We like to think of ourselves as brand ambassadors for each of these woman-built brands. Our goal is to support these women in their endeavors by providing a space and destination where women can shop and support other women through their purchases. It gives us life and good vibes to hunt for and bring to our customers goods and wares made with love and integrity. We seek to discover brands that are kind to our bodies and to our Earth. We, also, donate a percentage of our sales to non-profit organizations.
So, when you shop with Good & Well Boutique, you are doing three things:
1. You’re doing a good deed for the American maker community.
2. You’re supporting a good cause.
3. You’re taking home some amazing American made goodness!
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I was fortunate to be raised by two creative DIYers who are both strong problem solvers and visionaries. While neither of my parents owned their own companies, they did have the dreamer spirit, and they taught me to always be open-minded and see the potential in almost everything. That DIY and dreamer spirit is at the very foundation of Good & Well. Quite frankly, it is the very foundation of my life. I am thankful and fortunate that I have been able to hold on to that spirit. It has served me well.
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.GOODANDWELLBOUTIQUE.COM
- Email: HELLO@GOODANDWELLBOUTIQUE.COM
- Instagram: @GOODANDWELLBOUTIQUE
- Facebook: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GOODANDWELLBOUTIQUE
Image Credit:
Anthony Rosette, Caryn Malone, Trissa Rosette
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
