Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ava Grace Horton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I am definitely a planner. I plan my day, week, months and even try to plan my years out at times. I like things orderly and knowing exactly what to expect, but truthfully, owning a business is the complete opposite. Ever since I was a teenager, I wanted to open a boutique. I love shopping, fashion and most importantly styling people so that they look and feel good! That being said, I never truly knew how the boutique would start. I used to jokingly say I would marry rich, and he would fund the boutique.

This past year I graduated with my Ed.S. Degree. Having been in graduate school for three years straight, the planner in me planned to take six months to “rest” before I looked into details of starting a boutique. A little over a month later I’d taken the risk of applying for my LLC. I, again, told myself “Just get the LLC done, then rest before starting”. I felt with everything in my body the undeniable push to start— to chase my dream and not wait another second. So, I decided the first collection for Ava Boutique would launch in January 2023. Less than a month later I had purchased the first collection and moved the drop date to November 11, 2022. The 11/11 Collection launched and, truthfully, life has never been the same.

Now, working on collection number four in four months and I am forever grateful for the push to take the risk of opening my small business. There are days when you want to lay down and cry and other days when you wonder why you didn’t start this sooner. Nevertheless, what I have learned in my 27 years is that the risk is always worth it. If it doesn’t go as planned, you still always learn something from it. The truth is, we are never really ready so we have to trust that we have what it takes and that we will grow along the way.

Ava Grace , 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?

My name is Ava Grace Horton, I am 27 years old, and I am the owner of Ava Boutique. Ava Boutique is an online boutique in central Arkansas. During the daytime, I am also a high school Reading Teacher/Dyslexia Interventionist.

For as long as I can remember I have gone by my middle name, Grace. However, when I was little and learning to write my name, AVA (yes, in all caps), was easier to learn to write. I would write AVA all over my books and papers. Ava Boutique’s logo features that same AVA in all caps. It seemed fitting to pay tribute to my childhood as I carry out my dream.

Ava Boutique releases collections of clothing items that can be styled in multiple ways, for multiple age ranges and multiple body shapes. Each of the item descriptions on Ava Boutique’s website features three to four different ways to wear the item as well as the item photos. This makes Ava Boutique a one stop shop, where you can find a whole outfit and not be left wondering what to style a top with, for example.

Additionally, my own personal experiences help to ensure that Ava Boutique is for every body type. Within the last five years I lost a total of 30 pounds. With changes in my own appearance, I want to ensure that all customers enjoy wearing our clothes. We have styles that range from Small to 3X and I like to ensure that each piece is as comfortable as it is trendy. As a teacher I know how important the comfort part is as well! Ava Boutique’s mission is to ultimately empower women to look and feel good in the outfits they wear.

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

Putting outfits together with music in the background is truly my happy place. I have a unique personal style that is the perfect mix of girly, a little edgy, definitely trendy but also unexpected and fun! I can go from cargos and a bucket hat to a tulle dress with heels. I remember wearing red lipstick with a polka dot sweater and leopard flats during my senior year of high school and my peers and teachers alike asking why I was so dressed up. I’ve always loved the creativity in fashion!

Two years ago, I began taking pictures of outfits and making reels on Instagram to showcase the looks I put together. I would take a single piece and style it in multiple ways, such as denim shorts or a black blazer. Any weekend you can find me with my tripod looking for a good photoshoot location. I got a lot of positive feedback about my style and friends asking me to help dress them. I began personal styling this past summer, but ultimately wanted a place where the clothes coordinated to take the difficult “How do I wear this?” question out of shopping. That is how Ava Boutique was born.

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

As I mentioned, I am a planner. I often harp on knowing how things will turn out ahead of time. Although as hard as we try to predict, sometimes life has other plans. Truthfully, my entire twenties has been a period of pivoting. If you would’ve asked 18-year-old Grace what her life would look like in ten years I would have told you that I am a teacher, married, with two kids. While the teacher part is true, 18-year-old Grace failed to realize the great amount of growth and self-love that would take part during this time.

Over the last ten years I have pivoted my idea of happiness. I used to believe that you had to be married, with children and a big house with a picket fence to truly be happy. But honestly, if nothing else, my twenties has guided me to a place of true peace. Through many failed relationships, heartaches, and the realization that no person can truly fill a void for us, I have pivoted my view of happiness. Where I once gave credit for my happiness to a person, I now contribute that to how I feel about myself. Therapy has worked wonders as well as working out and finding creative outlets like styling. I constantly monitor and adjust what I want for my life and in pivoting from the “cookie cutter” idea of what my future “should” look like, I now take great pride in how it is unfolding. I think 18-year-old Grace would be very proud.

Contact Info:

• Website: avaboutiqueonline.com
• Instagram: @avaboutiqueonline, @avagracehorton
• Facebook: Ava Boutique, @avaboutiqueonline
• Other: TikTok @avaboutique8

Image Credits
Christopher Bell-Davis