Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa ‘Missie’ Casey.
Melissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
At a young age, I was always a huge fan of fashion: clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. I have always been known for setting my own trends and just wearing what I like. Fast forward in 2012, I didn’t really like the landscape of the way the boutique industry, especially online versions were going. I felt there was a niche market for me to tap into. I wanted to re-establish the essence of what a boutique is. The industry got away from unique curated pieces to an overly saturated fast fashion trendy market. So I spent a few years researching the market in regards to upcoming trends, some of the better manufacturers, fabrics, marketing and establishing my capital. With Kennedy Jade, I wanted to offer Statement Pieces, Pieces that can be held onto and worn over time. I wanted timeless original items, that can be worn 2, 5, even ten years from now.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting any business, especially an online retail fashion brand, is never easy. The upfront capital is very heavy with inventory needs, marketing, packaging, legal fees, etc. Start-up cost for a quality boutique brand can easily exceed 50k+. So in addition to still having obligations outside of my business, that part became a bit of a struggle. When I launched in 2016, I bootstrapped Kennedy Jade from the ground up, I had no outside lenders, no family members for help, I literally started with the finances my husband and I had saved in our savings account.
Online retail is tough for new brands. Your clients can’t feel the fabric, see the quality, or try on various sizes to get the perfect fit. As a business owner, I have to make sure I am providing consistency in the quality of clothing I carry and try my best to convey the quality through marketing, customer service, imagery of my photos, packaging, my website, social sites… basically, any and everything concerning my brand needs to SCREAM QUALITY. Until you establish brand recognizability, its tough getting strangers to believe in your brand and willing to spend money with you when they are first introduced to it and there is no “social proof” for your brand. The more people see other people shopping with you, the more comfortable they will be shopping with you.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kennedy Jade is a women’s clothing boutique that focuses and specializing, right now, on classic and timeless styles. When I first started Kennedy Jade and looking for logos and branding, I wanted to create something that could surpass just the clothing market, I love home decor, and children’s clothing, stationary, etc. So, I wanted something that could transition well to other markets. I was thinking long term goals.
I’m most proud of the direction that my brand is going, and that people are able to see the vision as it develops as well. I get feedback from my customers from all over so that helps me with the direction that it’s going. I’m proud of how KJ is expanding and growing and knowing that there is still a lot of room for growth but that last three years of progression is what keeps me going. I’m most proud of my recent success, but my goal is to establish Kennedy Jade in many different facets of life… not just fashion.
I feel like what sets us apart from others is, I make a concerted effort to focus on timeless pieces, If you see what’s popular right now, you can find those pieces at every 5 boutiques you come across online. I have no problem with those pieces and may even own a few, however, what you see a lot of is trendy pieces, and thats what I try my hardest to stay away from for my brand. Its not always easy because manufacturers see what sells and what’s popular and when sourcing for inventory a lot of times thats what you’ll come across as well, so its very important to me to make sure a great deal of my pieces are pieces that can do amazing in this market but can also exceed past the next few seasons of what’s hot right now. Recently, I started to teach myself to sew and make clothing patterns, so I can’t wait to introduce exclusive items that I have created. Those pieces can be anywhere from shoe designs to dresses, throw covers and even decor pillows. You’ll honestly have to stay tuned. I have so much I want to do with my brand and can’t wait for the world to know Kennedy Jade on an even bigger scale.
I want to be the go-to place for my ladies that want to turn heads at weddings, brunches and baby showers, tea parties, day dates, nights on the town, networking events and all the social gatherings, holiday parties, etc.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love Houston, moving here has not only been the best thing for my family, but has become a great opportunity for my business, and business relationships. For someone starting out, I would definitely recommend them starting out here. I love my home state, but out here it’s so diverse and there’s a huge wave of entrepreneurs right now in the city. I’ve been able to build relationships with other like-minded people since being out here by going to networking events, women empowerment events, and even by joining memberships that not only build relationships but also helping build and give back to the community and paving ways for future entrepreneurs as well as career professionals. There is no better place to be right now than Houston.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KennedyJade.com
- Email: shop@kennedyjade.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shopkennedyjade
- Facebook: facebook.com/shopkennedyjade/
Image Credit:
Images by Akeem Casey Photography
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