We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carly Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Apart of our brand mission is to uplift our clients by building self-esteem and awareness. We are helping others to define their essence by embracing their morals, values, and character through physical appearance. Our slogan is “Serving Unapologetically” and we want our clients to uphold a sense of confidence regardless of where they are or what they are doing. We currently partner with a local non-profit agency in Kansas City, MO called Show Me You Care KC. Their overall purpose is to help rebuild the community and provide resources to those in need, housing, and transitional living. During the prom season, we assist Show Me You Care with designing and creating promo dresses for girls in need and any additional services the organization might need.

Carly, 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?

About

Welcome Queens! Cahri’s (car-ree) Boutique LLC was founded on October 1st, 2021. We provide handmade contemporary garments, custom designs, and alterations. By using motivational power and fashion sustainability, we encourage our clients to define their aesthetic while upholding an unapologetic essence. We are queens and thou shell act like such.

Our team will help to uplift our clients by building self-esteem and awareness. We are helping others to define their essence by embracing their morals, values, and character through physical appearance. Our slogan is “Serving Unapologetically” and we want our clients to uphold a sense of confidence regardless of where they are or what they are doing.

Our company focuses on the importance of Sustainable Fashion. Our current goal is to advocate sustainable practices while working with companies that reflect similar beliefs. The fashion industry isn’t 100% sustainable because of the lack of technology. We need more innovators to explore and make more sustainable fabrics and machinery. There are multiple levels of fashion sustainability and it’s literally in the eye of the beholder. Our company will do its part by creating garments using natural or recycled fabrics and purchasing or acquiring donated products/materials of exceptional quality with the means of keeping our prices low.

The Owner

Cahri’s Boutique was founded in Kansas City, MO by Carly on October 1st, 2021. Carly was born and raised in St. Louis, MO where she started sewing at the age of 15 when she was accepted into the North Technical Fashion Design program, but throughout the years she considers herself a self-taught seamstress. In 2013, Carly moved to Kansas City, MO and received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Design is her passion, her therapy, what she loves to do! She loves that each new design embarks a different creative challenge.

Mission Statement

Cahri’s Boutique is dedicated to serving the community unapologetically. We devote our products and services to all as it relates to their unique aesthetic by using motivational power and fashion sustainability.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Cahri’s Boutique is an e-commerce business and I currently use Shopify. Shopify is user friendly and easy to use for any product based business. The software helps to manage inventory, streamline shipping, and develop business goals. They also make gathering your tax information stress free. My favorite feature about Shopify is their compatibility with third party software such as sales channels or applications that can enhance your ability to increase sales. For example, I use this application called Klaviyo which provides assistance with email marketing and SMS to clients, Shopify does charge an annual free to use their platform and a low 3% sellers fee per sale. I also use Walmart marketplace which is free to set up and use, however they have a 6 to 20% sellers free and offer free shipment to all customers which means the owner will need to increase their prices to make a profit.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Cahri’s Boutique is still a small business and in 2022 I decided to take a huge risk and take my designs to the runway. During that time, I felt my business and sales were very stagnant and I needed to make a marketing move that would help increase sales, custom designs, and build that foundation of trust between me and my consumers. I submitted my application with extreme anxiety, interviewed, and got accepted to debut my first collection called Queen at KC Fashion Week. After the show, I received more business in alterations, custom designs, and an increase of in-person sales at local pop up shops. This opportunity was a life long dream and also put myself/business in an uncomfortable state to grown, learn, and concern.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cahrisboutique.com/
• Instagram: @CahrisBoutiqu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CahrisBoutique/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cahrisboutique