We recently connected with Alexus Scott and have shared our conversation below.
Alexus, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Back when I was in middle school, one of the therapeutic practices that I started was journaling. As I got older, people started noticing the images and things I would create on the outside of some of my blank pieces and asked where I purchased them from because they liked them so much. I would happily tell them that the creations were done by me and move on with my day.
I left it alone for a few years, and just before I graduated from WSU with my Master’s degree, I received a Word from the Lord and encouragement from my pastoral leaders from my local and national church. As I was in prayer during this very confusing time, the Lord told me he was about to shake things up and take me in a different direction. I was very confused and nervous. The Boutique 5 was already doing sideline projects like wedding invitations and greeting cards, and the support from the community was outstanding. I decided to step out of faith and turn in my two weeks’ notice to my full-time, secure job and build my dreams. I talked to my former boss, and she said go for it! She saw talents and qualities in me that I didn’t see then, and she believed in me.
And here we are!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Alexus Scott. I am the visionary behind Boutique 5 Stationery & Petite Gifts, the executive director of Queens 4 Christ, and the author of “Never Underestimate an Incidental Encounter,” a book that inspires faith in higher education while addressing the passion within. I am a very strategic, goal-oriented woman of faith and mentor other women and small businesses. I advocate for K-12 and higher education and do management consulting through my company, Bridge + Grace. In addition to all of this, I am 2022 Miss ICT.
I earned a master’s degree in educational psychology from Wichita State University and have a background in higher education student affairs. My achievements and certifications include being honored in the inaugural NexGen Under 30 Kansas Recognition Program for Retail and E-Commerce, To The Stars – Kansas Business Awards as an entrepreneur, a recipient of the Wichita Business Journal’s 2022 Women in Business Award, W’s Choice Award for Small Business, W’s Distinguished Young Professionals Award nominee, W’s Innovation in Business Award nominee, 2022 Small Business Awards Finalist through the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, 2021 Wichita Business Journal Diversity and Inclusion Award nominee, 2021 Higher Education Leadership Certification, Martha Stewart’s Living Magazine Stationery Standouts and much more.
The Boutique 5 offers in-house printing, cutting, and design services and a selection of retail paper supplies and gifts like greeting cards, notebooks, notepads, and calendars. We love to partner with women and Black-owned wholesalers to feature their products in the store.
There are not a lot of Black-owned stationery businesses in general. In Wichita, we are the only black and female-owned brick-and-mortar stationery and gift shop located in the intrinsic downtown area. So, being an African American woman stepping on the scene and saying, ‘I’m going to do this,’ a lot of people didn’t take me seriously at first. So it is extremely important to me to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for others. My prophecy became much more than a dream, it was always my reality. You must have a vision, a Word from the Lord, a solid support system, and be willing to step out on faith.
Boutique 5 has always been more than just stationery. During the pandemic, we became a sort of safety hub for people. We were able to offer additional opportunities when people were getting laid off. During this time, we began to figure out ways to work with other creators, artists, and entrepreneurs to turn their drawings and ideas into things that were and are needed. We fight hard for people to reach their dreams, and the Wichita community has our back and believes in us.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Hire people you can trust and give them grace. Then give them space to grow.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Yes. It’s called Grace Creators Academy. Taking the time to teach creators and other entrepreneurs about different aspects of everything from art and design to literacy and education to entrepreneurship and business has always been important to me. Everything that I’ve done and learned up to this point I have always shared with those around me to help enrich their experiences when they would walk through the door of Boutique 5 and ask me how I got to this place of financial freedom and joy. Those same people constantly encouraged me to start a school where I could share this knowledge on a much larger scale to serve a wide range of people because I am a living, breathing example of a start from the ground and work your way up success story.
A milestone was deciding to listen and take the necessary steps to make this thought a reality. I sat down with my partners and strategically planned how to accomplish this and what we would teach. I was already sharing knowledge by way of not only in my boutique but through my company, Bridge & Grace Management Consulting. By starting this academy, we will help to solve some problems the city has. We are giving people a reason to stay in Wichita, we are giving people a reason to come to Wichita, and a reason to invest in our community, to name a few. Helping to educate and inspire talent within the city can help to retain that talent for the city.
I’m happy to say that Grace Creators Academy is opening this Fall! GCA is a training and growth development platform for aspiring artists, authors, educators, creators, and entrepreneurs. We are looking for more instructors and students, so if you are interested, you can go to www.theboutique5.com/gca to find out more.
Contact Info:
- Website: TheBoutique5.com and BridgeandGrace.com
- Instagram: @alexusscott
- Facebook: @alexus.scott.79
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/bridgeandgrace
Image Credits
Anetra Burton – #AB Unlimited Photography