We were lucky to catch up with Addie Helms recently and have shared our conversation below.

Addie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Most would not likely see a women’s boutique as “mission-driven,” but when I left my career in education in order to pursue a career in business, I knew that my business had to be more than just a place to shop; it had to be a way to help and love others. So I opened my little shop, Addie’s Boutique.

My mission and greatest desire for my little shop is that it is a place where women feel confident and secure in their bodies, in how they look, but, most importantly, in who they are and the fingerprints they leave on others in this world. I want, more than anything, for Addie’s to be a respite for women who give to others before themselves, who are living their lives to the best of their abilities in this crazy world of ours.

Yes, we talk fashion and trends, we talk fabrics and cuts. Our clothes are important, after all. As seemingly superficial as that sounds, the truth is our clothes are our armor in a way. How we feel about the way we look often dictates how we view ourselves, our place in the world–whether we will conquer or be conquered. I mean, we don’t shave our legs and carry lipstick for nothing. Our appearance, our clothes are how we prepare ourselves to face the world.

At the same time, we are so much more than the way we look, the way we dress, aren’t we? We are mothers and daughters, friends and soul mates. We are adventurers and artists, dancers, writers, dreamers, influencers, lovers. So, my goal is that Addie’s speaks to these parts of ourselves, too, and that after we have shared time together, whether in the physical world or the digital one, women leave feeling more confident, secure, calm, and inspired. Ready to face the world and whatever this crazy life puts in our paths.

Addie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When I was a freshman in college, I got a job at a women’s boutique called Leslie’s. I had never stepped foot inside a boutique before, but a family friend knew Leslie, the boutique owner, was looking for someone to help her in the shop part time. I worked at Leslie’s throughout college, eventually becoming her assistant manager and assistant buyer. All of my foundational learning in regards to the world of apparel came from my time spent at this boutique, with its owner, and the women who worked there.

After graduation, I moved to New York City and worked for an apparel line called Putumayo. I worked both sides of the business, the retail and the wholesale sides. I was the assistant manager for their retail store in SoHo, as well as a sales representative in their showroom. My time spent with Putumayo was a crash course in apects of the apparel world to which I had never been exposed — inventory management on a much larger scale, collection development, wholesale sales and marketing. I could go on an on.

I eventually moved back to Texas and started teaching in public schools, putting my college degree to work. I met my now husband, and we moved all over the State for period of time. Everywhere we lived, I had an after school or weekend retail job. I worked in everything from small boutiques to interior design studios. And do you know, no matter where I lived or where I worked (Leslie’s and New York included), women’s needs were the same? They may have been buying a dress, but they needed to feel confident and beautiful. They may have been buying an antique sideboard, but they needed to feel secure and calm in their personal spaces. It was a revelation, in a way, to experience this kind of consistency among women of all ages, places, statuses. Our needs, at the very base levels, are fundamentally the same.

These experiences have influenced all aspects of my business. I carry clothes that are mostly natural fabrics, mostly made in the USA, and if I buy outside the States, I make sure the company either manufactures in an eco-friendly, sustainable way, and/or somehow promotes, supports, or empowers women. I also carry a handful of local female artists — from painters and dyers to card- and jewelry-makers. I feel responsible for the impact my business makes in this world. It is important to me that my little shop leaves the world a better place, creates positive ripple effects, and fills women with confidence and peace.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m about to make a sports analogy. I know, I know — but it’s fitting, I think.

Running the sprints in track — you know when the runners are down in the blocks, the gun goes off, and they explode — heads down, arms and legs pumping, their entire bodies leaning forward? That’s how I felt when I opened my business. The doors of my shop opened, and I took off at a dead sprint — head down running as hard and as fast as I could. I kept waiting for the moment I could slow down, look up, and jog it off. But in small business, there is no finish line. You never stop running. It took me a couple of years to figure that out. The life of small business is one of constant development, constant change, constant “pivoting.” It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Once that truth had time to settle in, I was able to manage my pace more effectively and keep my eyes up to watch for approaching opportunities and challenges.

Those who were in business during 2020 and the COVID shutdowns have “pivot” stories, and I am no different. When I saw the likelihood of shutdowns fast approaching, I had to “pivot” quickly. We all did! In preparation, I did three things: 1. I made a list of the things my customers were needing, physically and emotionally, and began thinking of ways to serve those needs if the world shut down, 2. I began thinking of ways to create a possible revenue trickle for the shop and the artists we carry, as well as some of my other small business friends, and 3. I prayed.

As things developed in 2020, we had to pivot from serving people in an up-close, personal way to serving people from a distance. To successfully make this shift, we added two distinct aspects to the business. First, we collaborated with the artists we carry in the shop and a handful of small business friends to create mail order, customizable gift boxes we dubbed Pretty Parcels. Our artists and small business friends delivered their goods to the shop, and we created fun packages to mail all over the country! Pretty Parcels allowed us to help people stay connected to friends and family near and far. It also created a small income for the businesses and artists involved.

Second, like so many others, I began pushing traffic to our online platforms, specifically social media. It started with streaming a style show we had already planned for early April of 2020. Instead of canceling the style show, we just streamed it. It wasn’t the highest quality video, and there were plenty of kinks, but people logged on, and we had a great time. I also began doing a live video on Facebook every morning at 9:40. Some mornings I showed new arrivals, some mornings it was sale items, some mornings it was simply a “check-in” to see how people were doing. My original intention for all the streaming events and live videos was two fold. I had to find a way to keep my little shop’s doors open, and I had to find a way to love and help people I couldn’t see. That quick pivot to consistent online live videos has become a mainstay in the business and in our shop community. I still go live every morning at 9:40!

The “pivots” in the business didn’t stop there – because there is no finish line, and you never stop running. Each experience, each new development or business transformation is an opportunity for discovery and growth. Settling into the run, maintaining pace, holding your eyes up keeps you agile in your business, making the pivots a little easier.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I was considering opening my own business, I knew I would need capital to get started. After doing some research, I discovered that a small business loan was going to be the best option for me. I contacted our local Small Business Development Center and set up a meeting to begin the discussions about putting together a business plan.

The people at my local SBDC were kind, helpful, and extremely knowledegable. I met with them multiple times as we developed my business plan. They were able to provide a list of local banks and bankers who delt in small business loans. They prepared me for the types of questions I would need to answer, as well as provided me with multiple copies of my business plan to include with my loan applications. Because of the help and guidance I received through the SBDC, I was able to secure my small business loan.

The help I received from myy local SBDC didn’t stop with securing a small business loan. They offer support through a variety of workshops and print materials — everything from tax preparations to social media marketing.

AND SBDC services are free!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopaddies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addiesabilene
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopaddies

Image Credits

Brit Bassinger of H2M Solutions, Tim Hinson of JT Photography