Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Randie Bloomhall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Randie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
I am crazy ecstatic and proud to announce that Boho Collective Company is expanding and opening a 2nd location in Deland, FL. We are projecting our doors to open in early July (just in time for my 40th birthday!) Opening BCC’s first location in New Smyrna Beach was my dream. When it came true and we opened our doors in March 2022, I was elated!
My initial goal with NSB’s location was to also carry men’s boho/hippie clothing, unfortunately the size of the location could not accommodate both.
Regardless, our bohemian/hippie “collective” of a boutique was very well received due to it’s unique & eclectic vibe and our strong message that EVERYONE is welcome here.
My immediate next goal: Open a second location in Deland within the next two years. One that encompasses all; male, female, unisex & androgynous fashion.
Twists & Turns? Obstacles along the way? Meaningful moments? This can all be wrapped up in two words: Hurricane Ian. Unfortunately, our little boutique was not favored by Mother Nature that go-around and we were demolished, losing our location and approx. 60% of our inventory (not to mention all of our electronics/paper goods/etc). We had to tear the retail space down to the studs and start from scratch. It was devastating and sad and sickening. I spent a solid 5 days going through and processing all of the ‘stages of grief’….. then I woke up on the 6th day and said ‘ok! This is a test. I told the Universe I wanted a boutique and I got it. Now it’s saying “oh ya?? How bad?…Show me.”
It was that realization through meditation that made me put my head down and grind until I was finally able to reopen 3 1/2 months later. It would have been incredibly easy to have given up and walked away, but this is my passion and getting through it was the only option for me. So many people asked me during, how I was keeping a smile on my face everyday. All I could say was ‘I have two choices: negativity, which feeds on itself. Or positivity, which also does. I choose the latter. I have to.’
Needless to say, my dream for a Deland boutique was pushed to the back of my mind while I focused on the financial rehabilitation of BCC for the next several months (and still am).
However, a few weeks ago I was walking in downtown Deland, looked up, and the most beautiful building and perfect location was right in front of me. And, you guessed it, available for lease. It was that moment I put the powers of manifestation to work…. and here we are! I’m a firm believer that the Universe will give you anything you want, but you’re going to be tested to make sure.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Randie Jayne Bloomhall and I was born and raised in Iowa. I moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL 7 years ago. I have been in the fashion retail industry the majority of my adult life, working for several retail stores including Gadzooks, Rue 21 & The Buckle. I also took part in opening and operating a custom motorcycle shop w/ an upscale moto boutique in the front end. I think what sets Boho Collective Company apart from other boutiques, is again, the eclectic bohemian/hippie style vibe. But we’re not just clothing/accessories. As it suggests in our name, it’s a “collective” of all things one might find interesting combined in one store. We have a self-help book section, with books on self love and body positivity, tarot / oracle cards, and books on how to learn the craft. and other knowledgeable books on healing crystals, dreams, meditation, numerology, astrology, etc. We also carry fun items such as witty tumblers & wall hangings, stickers, greeting cards. We have sage & incense, healing crystals and journals… even boardgames and puzzles!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One thing that I learned with everything that happened with the loss of the hurricane – was that in order to succeed from that moment on, it was going to require a new level of thinking. The only way that I knew how to run a business was simply not going to work anymore. To make it work I would have to get creative and frankly, uncomfortable. The next season of my life was going to require new levels of courage, confidence and consistency from me. And no matter how I felt, I could not let fear hold me back.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
While I was rebuilding my boutique – I put a tin sign on the outside of the door to look at every day, as a reminder of how resilient I have been, that says:
“‘You cannot withstand the storm’, they said. ‘I AM the storm’, she whispered back”.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BohoCollectiveCo.com
- Instagram: BohoCollectiveCoNSB
- Facebook: BohoCollectiveCoNSB
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/bohocollectiveco