We were lucky to catch up with Kate Rogers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, 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

I absolutely wish I would have started my business sooner! Owning a boutique has been a lifelong dream of mine, I can remember when as a little girl, wandering the stores with my Grandma dreaming up the inventory I would carry and the way I would design the store. I sat on this dream for 25+ years and as an adult even though I continued to dream of it, I was always so afraid to take the risk and put myself out there.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 I really started reevaluating my career and the burn out I was feeling because I was no longer feeling fulfilled or called to the career I was in. That is when the idea of starting my boutique felt like I couldn’t shake it off anymore. I took slow steps towards my goal, moving back to Florida from New Jersey and leaving my career behind was my first big step in deciding I was going to go for it.

While I wish I would have started earlier, I do know that the experiences and leadership I gained from my previous career prepared me for where I am now and I am really thankful for that.

Kate, 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?

Hi! My name is Kate, I am the owner of an online women’s boutique, Shop Rooted and Free. I started my business in January of 2022 after working in full-time ministry (and other careers that just never felt quite right). I am a wife and mom of 3 and for so long I let having little ones hold me back from going after what I really wanted to do career wise, I was so scared to juggle it all and am now thankful that I can bring my kids into being part of my business.

I am so proud of the community of women that I am building – my desire is for every woman who shops with me to feel loved, valued and empowered. I know the power of a great outfit and my hope is that every woman puts on an outfit she received from our shop and is ready to conquer her dreams, whatever that may be!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn asking for permission. In my previous career there were so many steps to getting an idea or concept approved and now…I get to just do them! The freedom for creativity is endless and that is the thing I love most about being a business owner, the sky really is the limit!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Pop Up shops and social media. It is all about community…the more you build community both in person and online the more successful you will be! It isn’t about follower count or even about the volume, it is about how you are making people feel. Focus on community and serving people and the clients/customers will come!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shoprootedandfree.co
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shoprootedandfree
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shoprootedandfree
• Other: www.instagram.com/heykaterogers

Image Credits
I have the rights.