Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Hereford.
Hannah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
This is an interesting question because each chapter of my adult life has been a stepping stone of learning and growth. Moms tend to have a rough road along the way because while we cherish every minute we spend with our families, we do get a little lost along the way. We are pulled in so many directions that we almost completely forget who we are. Sometimes self-confidence is lost; introverts pull deeper into their shell, and it is difficult to find a place to belong. That was me.
In the last 16 years, I have been a working wife for 3 years, a stay-at-home-mom for 6 years and a work-at-home mom for 6 years. And that brings us to this last year. Each of those first 3 chapters built on the one before. As I grew my home business, I slowly came out of my shell and gained self-confidence. I grew over the years. A lot. I was more independent, a better mom and wife, and I finally felt I had become better at balance. But then I felt a pull that God was pulling me in a different direction. Why would He pull me away from a growing, successful job that was flexible, allowing me to be with my kids and also be surrounded by team members who lifted me up each day?
Because He had even bigger plans. He had bigger plans than I did because it wasn’t about me. I finally let go of my home business I had worked so hard to build because, over time, I saw that clinging to it was just holding me back from whatever He had in store. I realized that the job and these new friends had all been an important stepping stone to gain the confidence I needed to move on to my next chapter. After a few months of just being still and with my family, it was clear that the next chapter would be starting our own family business.
My husband wasn’t quite on board yet with starting our own business, especially because I didn’t even have an idea of what business I wanted to start. I offered up a ton of “great ideas”, but he wasn’t ever sold on any of them. Possibly because, well… they weren’t that great. While sitting in Panera one day having lunch on my own, I texted him. “What about a children’s resale store? There are a lot of kids in Katy.” He replied, “That’s interesting.” That simple text started one of the biggest decisions we’d make as a family. Was it on a whim? Not really.
God had it planned a lot of time ago. It just took us a while to catch up. Do I have a passion for clothing? Not at all. But I do have a passion for bringing the community together and helping moms feel a part of that community. So in that text, we decided to open a children’s and maternity resale store. But it had to be different. It had to be unique. Every aspect of the shop had to be purposeful and stand apart from the others. I wanted it to bring the community together and to be a comfortable shopping experience for both parents and kids.
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?
Struggles? I would say our biggest struggle was more like an obstacle. A big wet obstacle.
Starting in January of 2017, I put myself through a crash course of starting a small business. I taught myself along the way. I asked a ton (a TON) of questions. I did a lot of research. I told myself if I wanted to do this, I just had to keep moving forward each day and it would come together. In a few short months, I learned the ins and outs of starting a business, leasing a commercial space, building inventory, hiring employees and much more. We started collecting inventory in the spring and started buildout mid-May. I worked very long hours, 7 days a week.
My husband helped as much as he could with the buildout, all after his own regular work hours. Besides struggling to balance the long hours, our two kids, and sleep, everything ran smoothly. There were learning curves, of course, but nothing that we couldn’t work through. Our Grand Opening weekend came. We set it for Aug 25-26. I think all of us in Houston know what happened that weekend. Hurricane Harvey decided to make his appearance. We opened for 4 hours on Friday before the wind and rain were predicted to hit. We spent all day Saturday raising as much as we could and we took a lot home.
On Sunday, we watched the water unexpectedly reaching halfway up our yard, so we prepared our home for possible flooding. The water continued to rise as we moved things around. Once we had done as much as we could and finally got the kids to bed, we sat down on the couch. It had been an exhausting, emotional weekend after months of preparation. We turned on the tv and there was our shop. On the news. Flooding.
The two months that followed was an emotional roller coaster. Thankfully, our house was okay, but with the shop located in Old Katy, we were among many businesses and homes that flooded. We saw first-hand the community coming together day after day. This is what we had hoped for. Community. We didn’t hope for it in in this way, of course, but Harvey did bring people together. Harvey brought people together at Chloe’s Closet.
People we knew. People we didn’t know. Adults and kids. Our staff and their friends and families. There were so many people offering to step in and help. Without community, we aren’t sure how we would have made it through. But thanks to these people giving of their time and their hearts, we did. And we re-opened November 2nd.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chloe’s Closet Resale Boutique – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our main business focus at Chloe’s Closet is selling gently-loved children’s and maternity clothing, shoes, toys, books, and more. We buy our inventory from the community and then sell it at prices 50-90% off of new retail prices.
All of the items we accept are in excellent condition, most looking brand new. While we do accept most everyday brands, we are known for our specialty sections. These sections include boutique brands, smocks, matching twin clothing, dance and tumbling, sportswear, spirit wear, etc. We carry newborn through kids’ size 18, as well as a small but growing section of tween and teen clothing.
The other side of our business aims to support the creative talents of local moms. We provide them space to sell their baby’s and children’s items, which are all mostly handmade. Having worked from home while balancing time with our kids, I know how important it is for these home business owners to have as many platforms as possible to share what they do.
What I am most proud of and what the shop is most known for are really the same answers. In planning the boutique, I made a point to design it with mom and kids in mind. We wanted moms to feel comfortable bringing their kids and we want the kids to have fun while in the store. The best review we have had was a verbal review. She said, “This is not a store. It’s an experience.” That, by far, was the best compliment I had received since we opened.
We want parents to come into the store and not only see but also feel the care that went into each and every part of the shop. And this was not all done by us. Almost every single display piece and signage in the shop is handmade, mostly by friends. So many gave their time this summer to make furniture, stain furniture, sew curtains, build and paint signs and more. This is why Harvey was such an emotional roller coaster for me. It wasn’t just our time, work and money lost in the flood. It was all of the time over the summer these friends gave to help make Chloe’s Closet unique. But what I was reminded of through our Harvey rebuild is that not everything has to be perfect.
Whatever chapter you are in, whatever your best is at that moment, do it with heart and that will take you further than months of perfect planning.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
As I write this, we have been open for only 4 months now. We do have hopes for expansion in the future, but for now, we take it one week at a time. Months ago, it was one day at a time, so I believe we are making progress.
Some days, we are simply looking forward to growing enough to pay the lease and payroll. We do plan to expand to online shopping before year-end, but to start out with, we’d really love to see people face-to-face. Online shopping is convenient, but relationships go missing. Our goal is to connect with each of our customers and let them know how much we appreciate them. Even just today, a customer said as she checked out, “shopping here is like belonging to a club.” I loved that comment.
Retail is a difficult business when there is the convenience of online shopping and so many sites to choose from, but we believe we provide a shop worth traveling to. We personally thank each and every person who walks in the door, as well as those who share their experiences with friends. It will only be through the community’s support that we can grow in the next few years, so we look forward to seeing what is to come. One step at a time and we look forward to seeing what God’s plans are for us as we grow.
Contact Info:
- Address: 805 Ave B Katy, TX 77493
- Website: www.chloesclosetresale.com
- Phone: 281-665-1662
- Email: hannah@chloesclosetresale.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/chloesclosetresalekaty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/chloesclosetresale
Image Credit:
Captured Photography
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