We were lucky to catch up with Kyra Neff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kyra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

When owning a business, one questions that decision quite often. So many factors affect small businesses, positively and negatively. In my business, customers affect my ability to pay vendors, employees, bills, etc. Some months are much more lucrative than others. The easy way out, in my opinion, is to be employed by a company, punch a time clock, and expect a direct deposit on payday. But that is not in my blood. I am a determined, ambitious lady. I set high expectations for myself and reach heights to attain my goals. I look at previous years sales by month to determine profitability and loss. Some aspects of business are out of my control. Today, in business, is a time where I must consider inflation, not only as it affects my costs, but as it affects the national economy and how buyers are spending or cutting. At the end of the day, even with the struggles of small business, I am rewarded with the smiles and satisfaction from my customers. Everyday is a learning experience, good and bad. You ask to compare owning a small business with having a regular job; no comparison; the ups and downs have shaped me as a business woman and a human. Would I do some things differently? Of course! However, I would not be Me without the losses and gains of this wonderful privilege of owning my business.

Kyra, 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?

I decided to leave city life in 2006, move to the ranch in central Texas, without a clue of what to do to provide for myself. I began with a custom furniture business, expanded into retail the following year, and in 2022, opened a boutique in Northlake, Texas. I am predominantly in the women’s retail industry, while still dabbling in furniture for a hand full of customers. My top priority has always been customer service. I strongly believe in building relationships with my customers. That has attributed solely to the success of my business. In a world where customer service is no longer important to many industries, it remains the key in mine. I collaborate with my customers to build wardrobes that creates a confident, happy, woman. I believe, “You define style, it does not define you.” In a world of social media, telling ladies to dress a certain way or follow style trends, I promote comfortability and class. We have fun, stepping out of “a box,” and finding new styles that one may never attempt alone. It’s all about self-worth and feeling great in one’s own skin. I take pride in the repeat business from customers who know I am honest and will work collectively until we achieve the “perfect look.” I provide an experience. And I believe the time I commit to customers allows me to know them more intimately. I learn from each story, each precious soul; something new; and incorporate that in growing as an individual. My customers enhance my life greatly. They are my daily reward.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For my business, word of mouth, has been my best advertisement. I built my business on customer relations and am truly conscious about helping customers, Social media has become a driving force in growing the business. I have a social media team that understands algorithms and I feel confident that my business has grown over social media and opened up my business to a new population. I continue to explore options with my team to share our message and grow our audience.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I attribute my audience on social media to Small Town Socials, a media driven company. They have taken my store to a new level of awareness and helped me understand how social media better. I have so many responsibilities personally in the store; social media was not an area I wanted to undertake on my own. My advice is to find a reputable social media company to assist in growing brand awareness, tapping into resources and markets that aren’t attainable alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sasboutique.net
• Instagram: @S_A_S_Boutique
• Facebook: Santa Anna Store