Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Pontiff.
Melissa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up I always wanted to have my own business. I always had a passion for unique things that would make people smile. My background is in interior design and while traveling on a business trip one year I walked into a boutique and fell in love with the concept and look. At the time my industry wasn’t doing well and I was looking for another avenue to use my creative juices in a different way. A year later I opened my little boutique Suburban girl. I designed this boutique all by myself and found items from thrift stores and garage sales for my displays. I loved fashion and design and found joy looking for the perfect outfits to fit today’s woman. I take much pride in the clothing and jewelry we sell. It’s very unique and lots of our jewelry is hand made. We are a very customer based business and I wanted to be that boutique that was focused on its customers. I thought about what we could do expand our business while catering more to our customers. We decided to go mobile! I purchased a small school bus and transformed it into a miniature version of our store. We were one of the first fashion trucks in the state of Texas. We travel every weekend to festivals, fairs, work events, corporate events, wineries, private parties etc. we bring the boutique to you. This business is my dream come true and every day I get up and am excited to go to work. We are now in our 7th year at the store front and our 4th year with our fashion truck and just purchased a second one because of demand. We are truly blessed!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
With any business you will always have ups and downs if you prepare yourself for this you will come out ok. One of our struggles was business was really slow one summer when the city decided to re-do our overpass next to our store. We prepared for this knowing it would make people avoid our area with all the traffic and construction going on. We did a lot of home parties that summer. If they couldn’t come to us we would go to them. I always have to think outside the box as an entrepreneur. We have to make it work!
Please tell us about Suburban Girl Gifts and Stuff.
Suburban Girl is an eclectic women’s boutique. We are mostly bohemian and county chic. We have that cool vibe. Our customer lives for outdoor concerts, flea markets, and festivals. She is confident, stylish, and a leader. We are set apart from others by having a service that can bring the boutique to you. Our Fashion mobile boutique!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to do it all over again I would let other people help me. I tend to think I can do it all myself but its better with help! I have learned in the years to surrender some of my responsibilities to other people!
Contact Info:
- Address: 12320 Barker Cypress Road ste 900 cypress Texas 77429
- Website: Suburbangirlgifts.com
- Phone: 281-758-3636
- Email: suburbangirlgifts@comcast.net
- Instagram: Suburbangirlgifts
- Facebook: Suburbangirlgifts
- Twitter: Subgirlgifts
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