We recently connected with Stephanie Ellison and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

How Arrow Tree Boutique came to life was not the easiest to say the least. I was working as a sales representative for a major food distribution company when I landed the territory that included Wake Forest, NC. Now this was back in 2007 when Wake Forest was still rather small. I had the best customers in my territory including Over the Falls Deli, this is when it was on White Street above the cotton company. I got to know this customer really well because they had just had a kitchen fire and they needed all new kitchen equipment to get the place back up in running so I was there a lot to help them. Once they did get back open the owner was ready to sell the restaurant and asked if I knew anyone who wanted to buy the best deli around. So I went to my dad and asked if he knew anyone that would like to buy Over the Falls. Long Story short my dad ended up buying Over the Falls. I ended up working there in the evenings after my regular 9-5 job and just fell in love with the town and the people even more. So when Over the Falls moved down to Brooks street in the shopping strip I knew this was the place where I needed to put my store that I have always wanted since I was a little kid. I would set up a store in my room almost daily and play for hours by myself if you don’t include all my stuffed animals! So I went to my dad and said would you help me get this business up and running. I asked him to give to me what he would leave me after he is gone, I referred to it as “death money” because that’s my humor. I told him wouldn’t you like to see your daughter use this money now and see her succeed but, my dad was very weary of doing retail because retail is hard and he is right! Eventually, he came around and he bought the building and outfitted the space to become Arrow Tree Boutique. I wanted the space to be industrial but also cozy. I wanted people to feel warm and invited into the space. Some boutiques are just stark and cold and I never felt welcomed in those stores so I wanted to change that experience for my customers. We Opened our door on June 9th, 2017 and we started with just using the front half of the store for the first two years, because we used the space in the back for my daughter to take naps and relax in while mommy was starting to build her dream. In 2019 we expanded into the back room adding a new dressing room and more clothing racks things were going great and then you know what happened next….Covid and that year was just a wash. I didn’t know if we were going to make it but we pulled through, I am thankful that we were able to get help through the available programs offered at that time. Last year, 2022 was our best year yet and we have grown into a store that now only sells slow fashion and mostly women owned companies for our accessories and gifts. We are also the only one in our town that sells Liverpool Jeans from L0s Angeles. We started with only two people working the store to now 7-8 employees. I still do all the buying, merchandising, behind the scenes office and social media for the store, but I have and have had they most amazing staff since I opened. I am truly living my dream, but it is a tough gig and sometimes you don’t get paid but I’ll take it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Stephanie Ellison a graduate from ECU with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Communications. I am also a mother to two biological kiddos my son is 15 and my daughter is 10, I also have three step-sons that are now 23, 21 and 18. I have three dogs because why not throw some more chaos in the mix, but I am a huge dog lover, really animal lover is more like it! I have a passion for fashion and I would say I’m pretty good at styling my customers to their body type, age and coloring. It’s something that I inherited I believe. My mom is the best in decorating and she has always been so good with fashion, but it goes back to my grandmother and Aunt who worked at the Raleigh governors mansion as their Interior Designers for special events and the holidays. Also, my grandfather owned a store in Fuquay as well. So, literally it is in my blood! I think the store I created in downtown Wake Forest is space where women can come in and shop and not feel intimidated. We are very friendly and we have something for everyone. As I mentioned before I want people to feel at home in my store, for this store is an extension of my home and who I am and what I represent.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think what helped build our reputation in the market was being real. I am just a real person, I talk to my staff with encouragement and help them know they are great at who they are or want to be. I talk to my customers like they are friends because that is how I roll. I want you all to feel welcome because the world is a sh*tty place at times so I’m gonna try to make you smile or at least a half a smile.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I manage my team with upmost respect and I treat them how I want to be treated. We are all work together to make my Boutiques thrive. I think my employees can see that in the way I encourage and treat them as equals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.arrowtreeboutique.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/arrowtreeboutique
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arrowtreeboutique

Image Credits
Photos by: Hans Rosemond Stephanie Ellison