Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Johnson
Hi Olivia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to have a career in fashion. When I was a little girl, I would sketch clothing all the time and dreamed of being a fashion designer. I spent many years pursing this goal, starting all the way back in high school, where I took a summer course at the Fashion Institute in Boston. The program was design based and I realized I had more of an eye for fashion, so I wanted to learn more about the merchandising and business side of the industry. From there, I went to college for fashion merchandising and business, and when I graduated Covid hit. I knew I wanted to open my own business eventually but Covid ended up accelerating it for me.
In one of my college classes, I had to create a business plan for our semester project. I ended up using that exact plan for Liv For Fashion, and then I researched everything else online that I needed to know to operate. I spent a whole year before I opened my store, teaching myself everything by watching youtube videos, researching market trends, looking at other online boutiques and seeing what they were doing well and analyzing the industry relentlessly.
After the business plan was done, I had to get my LLC, EIN and trademark, build my website, design my logo, and travel to New York to find my merchandise and purchase my inventory. Once I had all my pieces and curated my first collection, I launched in May of 2022.
From there, I built my business through social media (instagram and facebook mainly) and referrals. I began doing.a ton of pop ups and going to events, which eventually led me to find stores to sell in as well, on a month to month basis. Between social media, pop ups/events and physical store locations, I was growing my brand faster than I could keep up with.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning this business has not come without its challenges. There are months where it is busier and business is great, and other months where things slow down. My first struggle was right after my initial business launch. there was so much hype and excitement and support around me starting this brand, so I had an amazing launch party but I quickly realized how much work I had to put in to maintain that buzz, and to keep people coming back. Clients are everything and it has always meant a lot to me to foster and nurture those relationships with my customers.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m Liv, the owner of Liv For Fashion. I wear many hats running a small business but I specialize in styling. My passion is styling women to look and feel their best. When you feel your best, you are at your best – you perform better, you have more confidence and everything else falls into place. I feel the most fulfilled when I can make another person feel beautiful and confident through what she is wearing.
I am most proud of taking the risk and starting this business, it is my dream come true and the most fulfilling job. When you love what you do you never work a day in your life.
I think what sets my boutique apart is the attention to every single detail, head to toe. I can advise my clients on how to style the pieces we carry beyond just the shoe or accessory to pair it with but I can also help guide them on jewelry, hair and makeup, depending on the type of look they’re going for. To me, fashion is art and I want the look to tell a story.
What matters most to you?
To me, what matters most is that I make my clients feel confident and beautiful through what they’re wearing. Fashion is a way to express yourself and your style can make or break your confidence and how you feel. I ways say look good, feel good, and the better you feel, the better you’ll be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livforfashion.net
- Instagram: @livforfashion_
- Facebook: @shoplivforfashion
