Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Mincey
Hi Savannah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story begins as a girl who felt 1/2 loved by the world and fully loved by her Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ. If you’re lucky enough to not relate to my story, I simply ask that you love others as they come and not as our world perceives they should be. Growing up, the isles packed with cute bright colors and fun patterns didn’t include girls a little chunkier like me. Instead, we were banished to a small section in the back corner lit dimly as to show we should be ashamed to be shopping in this secluded corner. When we did find something that fit us correctly, it was the most out-of-style, basic piece and left us feeling all the more different than everyone else. So that’s how The Tailgate was born. I wanted a place for women to shop that loved them back. A place that didn’t shame them for looking different than the cover of the hottest magazine. A place that loved them as Jesus does.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. Right after announcing the upcoming launch of The Tailgate, I was hit hard with COVID-19 and hospitalized. I’m so so blessed to have made it out of that hospital and get a second chance at making this dream a reality. It’s not lost on me that I am one of the lucky ones. I was already motivated to put my best foot forward in this endeavor, but after surviving one of the hardest times in my life, that motivation multiplied. It turned on a new level of drive I didn’t know I had. Add to this that I opened a retail business in one of the worst economies our country has seen, I was in for a hard road. Thankfully I have a great support system and a Lord that’ll carry me through the highest highs and the lowest lows.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Tailgate Boutique ?
The Tailgate is a size-inclusive, western fashion boutique that prioritizes an environment that promotes positivity and inclusivity. At The Tailgate, everyone is welcome regardless of their size, race, religion, or political affiliation. As long as you’re respectful, there’s a seat for you at our table.
The Tailgate currently carries sizes XS through 3X and would love to extend that in the future! One thing that sets us apart is our pricing. Many companies will charge extra for plus sizes using materials as a reason. However, it’s not frequent that the materials required are substantially more expensive as the sizes increase. It’s important to us that an item in an XS and an item in a 3X are the same price. Women shouldn’t be punished for the size of clothes they prefer.
We recently started a new tradition where, during November, we give back to an organization that serves our community. This year, we are giving 15% of all sales using the code “GIVING” to Fostering Sweet Dreams (FSD). FSD provides beds, bedding, mattresses, and more to foster families and recently reunited families throughout Oklahoma. It’s a way we and our customers can give back during a month when we are called to be thankful. For this reason, we give our customers the option to use either code “THANKS” for 15% off their purchase or code “GIVING” to have us donate 15% of their total to FSD.
At the end of the day, it’s our goal that our customers leave us better than they found us. We hope they leave feeling loved and valued and that they can pass those same sentiments to those they encounter throughout their day.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk requires reward. (Past professors reading this, I hope you’re proud of me for remembering that!) Essentially, the bigger the risk, the bigger the potential outcome should be. As for risks, we love them! However, it’s after thoughtful consideration that we decide whether or not to take them. For instance, a common risk we are faced with is regarding which vendor events we should sign up for. The prices of these can range from $40-$1,000+. When deciding whether to take a show or not, we often run the numbers as to what costs are associated and what return we would expect. We take into account expected attendance, longevity of the show, loyal customers to the show, location, dates, etc. There are a lot of factors! A recent risk we took that paid off was attending Affair of the Heart (AOTH) in Oklahoma City, OK. This show is local, has a large projected attendance, and a loyal following. In other words, it had the ingredients for success! This show went so well that we already booked ourselves for their February and October 2025 dates! Hope to see you there!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tailgateboutique.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tailgate_boutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Tailgate-Boutique-100068930889288/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetailgateboutique?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
All photos submitted are taken by Kylie Richardson at Oak and Willow Photography