We recently connected with Dana Mazzarini and have shared our conversation below.
Dana, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Hey there, I’m Dana Mazzarini, the proud owner of Style Exchange Boutique. I started this business 10 years ago out of my basement of my home as a single mom trying to make ends meet while also pursuing my passion for fashion and the thrill of the find. Being an outside medical sales rep with a young daughter, I knew I needed to find a way to work for myself, provide for my family, and be there for my daughter’s day to day life, my passion and also create something valuable for my community in the process. That’s when Style Exchange Boutique was officially born. Over the past decade, I’ve been dedicated to offering authentic, pre-owned luxury items at affordable prices. Our selection includes designer gowns, luxury handbags, clithing and accessories that are carefully curated and authenticated to ensure quality. What makes Style Exchange Boutique unique isn’t just our commitment to sustainability and personalized service, but also our roots as a small, locally-owned business created by a mom on a mission. When you shop with us, you’re not only getting great cutrent fashion at an amazing price, but you’re also supporting a business built on hard work, determination, and a desire to make a difference. Even after all these years, I’m still very hands-on in the business, making sure each customer receives the personal attention they deserve. Many of our clients have been shopping with us for many years, which speaks to the quality of our service and selection. And with word-of-mouth being our best advertisement, we’re always excited to welcome new clients into the Style Exchange family, thanks to referrals from our loyal customers. It’s truly a community-driven business, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support we’ve received over the years. Not only are we a fixture in our local community, but we’ve also expanded our reach through our online showroom, allowing customers from all over the country to discover and shop with us. We’re proud to say that people visit our boutique from hours away and we also ship our carefully curated pieces to customers near and far. It’s incredible to see how Style Exchange Boutique has grown, and we’re excited to continue connecting with new people and sharing our passion for affordable luxury fashion with everyone.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As the proud owner of Style Exchange Boutique, I’ve been on a mission for over a decade to make luxury fashion accessible and affordable for everyone. My passion for fashion, combined with my desire to create something meaningful for my community, led me to establish this unique upscale resale boutique here in Pittsburgh, PA. As a hard-working single mom, I wanted to find a way to provide high-quality, affordable luxury fashion for every single person no matter what their budget was and that’s exactly what Style Exchange Boutique does. At Style Exchange, we offer a carefully curated selection of pre-owned designer and luxury items, including special occassion gowns, designer and luxury handbags, accessories, clothing and shoes. We solve the problem of expensive, inaccessible fashion by providing authentic pieces at a fraction of their original cost. Our focus on sustainability, intentional personalized service, and community involvement sets us apart from the competition day after day. As a locally-owned and operated business, we believe in supporting our community through charitable efforts as well. We regularly donate a portion of our proceeds/ donations to causes close to our hearts, such as organizations that provide dresses to girls who can’t afford them and the City Mission and other non-profits which support women in transitional phases of their life. These partnerships are incredibly important to us, and we’re proud to use our platform to make a positive impact on our community.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world felt uncertain and everyone was forced to slow down, we knew that it was more important than ever to provide our customers with personalized experiences and a sense of connection. By pivoting our business model to focus on virtual shopping and unique, heartfelt products like our “love care package boxes,” we were able to offer a much-needed sense of comfort and support during a time when many people felt isolated and uncertain.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a time when businesses everywhere were scrambling to adapt to the new normal. As a business owner, I knew that resilience and pivoting was the only key to weathering the storm and continuing to serve our customers. By staying true to our values and getting creative with our offerings, we were able to not only survive but thrive during a time when so many businesses were struggling. This experience taught me the importance of being flexible, innovative, and committed to providing value to our customers, no matter the circumstances.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
At the core of our success lies a simple yet powerful principle: authenticity. By staying true to ourselves, our values, and our commitment to exceptional customer service, we’ve built a business that resonates deeply with our clients. Word-of-mouth marketing and client referrals have been key drivers of our growth, as happy customers and consigners become our best ambassadors. This organic, genuine approach to business has not only helped us attract new clients but also fostered long-lasting relationships with our existing ones. In a world where people crave genuine connections, being real and authentic is the best way to stand out and make a lasting impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.StyleExchangeBoutique.com
- Instagram: @StyleExchangeBoutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StyleExchangeBoutique?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: For all other Inquiries and questions please visit: [email protected]
