We were lucky to catch up with Brandi Karnopp-Clark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brandi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If you would have asked me this 4 years ago right after I quit my regular job and decided to open up a boutique, I would have told you that I wish I would have taken the leap years ago. Now looking back, I realize and appreciate the timing. I was working at a label factory since I was 18 years old. My husband and I met there, so I do not regret all of the years I worked there. The last two years that I worked there I was miserable. It just wasn’t where I wanted to be as I was coming up on my 30th birthday. It was also turning me into someone I didn’t like, because of how negative the energy was. I’ve loved fashion since I can remember, and I just knew in God’s timing that I would take the leap. If I would have opened a business in my early 20s, I really don’t think that would have worked out well, although at the time I would have convinced you otherwise. We all need experiences in life, such as different jobs, to help us grow as individuals to really figure out who we are and what we want to put out into the world. So yes, I think the timing was perfect.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I can remember I’ve been into different styles and fashion. Putting together outfits has always brought me joy and just really makes me happy. I think this comes from my Grandma Vern, who was always ordering different outfits from those flyers and magazines you used to receive in the mail. She was fearless and loved a good matching set and would complete the look with a beautiful broach. She always said, “I thought you were going to be a clothing designer?”. That question has never left my mind. As a plus size women it’s always been difficult to find pieces that truly represent who I am. Being from a small town where in high school we all wore jeans and sweatshirts, it wasn’t easy to branch out either. It just came to a point in my early 20s where I decided I was going to start searching for pieces that brought me joy. The search is the best part! At 27 I wore an all-black wedding dress that was made by a wonderful woman, who belongs to the same church as I do, out of her basement! I adore pushing the style “limits” where people are bothered by things such as the color of my wedding dress. If I can put anything out into this world, it’s to let people, specifically plus size women and men in a small town know that it’s ok to dress how you want to, even if others don’t agree. Twelve-year-old Brandi is the reason I started Velvet N Roll Boutique. It’s for all of the girls who were so excited to wear a new outfit to school, but then were called fat and told that they “aren’t the right size” for it. So, they went back to wearing sweats and loose-fitting clothing to hide their body. Velvet N Roll Boutique is a celebration of all shapes and sizes! That is a big reason as to why we don’t carry a lot of basic tanks or leggings. We want everyone to feel free to step outside of the box when it comes to fashion. Try something new. Add a fake nose ring to jazz up your look. Rock some rhinestone sunglasses to make you feel more fabulous. Wear a hot pink bell sleeve top, just because you feel like it. We want you to not just feel confident, but to be confident. If just ONE person realizes how beautiful and fabulous, they are because of VNR, it’s all been worth it.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Going back to my previous job. I talked about starting a boutique for maybe three years prior to actually following through with it. Co-workers would make comments about how I needed to have “realistic dreams” and how I wouldn’t be able to make a living doing that. They’d ask what my husband thought about it. Was he ok with it? I had been there for eleven years, and I felt stuck. Honestly, I think that’s what a lot of them were feeling too. For a while these comments would start to make sense to me and would often keep me up at night. Who was I to think that I could open a business? Why would anyone want my opinion on fashion? Thankfully I’ve always been a big dreamer and God planted those dreams in me for a reason. My resilience comes from my faith. He also has placed beautiful people into my life. People who pushed me to never settle and to go after opening a boutique. Specifically three individuals who have never doubted my dreams and who have helped me every step of the way; Brandon, Brenda, and Stephy. Also known as my husband, my mom, and my best friend. Without them none of Velvet N Roll Boutiques success would be possible.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner and I met in 2011 when we were both working at the same place. I would go on to marry him in 2017. My business partner is my husband. He’s the greatest! Brandon makes all of the graphic tees and apparel after working long hours at his regular job. We make a good business duo, because we’re complete opposites. Brandon is realistic, prompt, hard-working, and a perfectionist. While I am more of a dreamer, creative, and my mind is in a million places at once. He keeps the business running smoothly, which helps to keep me on track. There would be no Velvet N Roll Boutique without Brandon. Well, there wouldn’t be as successful of a VNR Boutique without him. I’m pretty positive that he never thought that he would one day own a boutique, let alone one that is geared toward unique styles. Although maybe he did, because he knew who he was marrying. Either way he’s killing it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.velvetnrollboutique.com
• Instagram: brandebelle
• Facebook: Velvet N Roll Boutique
• Other: I also have a clothing resale group called Styled by Brandi on Facebook!