We recently connected with Stephanie Simpkins and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
I believe that being raised in a single parent house hold directly impacted my drive and work ethic as an adult. I’m glad that my mom “got it right” by actively demonstrating the importance of helping others in need. I was in high school when my mom helped raise four younger kids while still raising me and my sister on her own. This taught me early on that life won’t always go as planned or be easy, but I can definitely do hard things, especially when I am able to impact someone else’s life in a positive way.
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.
I started my custom jewelry collection in 2009 and opened my first boutique in 2015, including clothing, shoes, purses, and more. I closed my boutique during covid but birthed new ventures during that time. I now offer more to my clients than I had ever imagined.
I recently opened a Style Room in Aiken, SC this past June! It is an appointment only location where clients meet directly with me for their styling needs. Clients are able to schedule their “Experience” at thenicolesc.com on the Style Room tab. This new venture sets my brand apart from others in the area because we are taking it a step further than selling clothing.
I am teaching you STYLE!
Also, in order to assist with styling in a more tangible way, I wrote and published Closet Rehab – The New Retail Therapy and Style Guide with Nicole Simpkins. It can be purchased on Lulu.com. This guide is the new go-to for assisting the every day customer who wants to define or reinvent their personal style. It explores body types, accessories, style vs trends and more for both men and women.
When I’m not shopping, styling or creating, I enjoy hosting events in the community to offer exposure to other small businesses. I hosted my first Small Black Business Expo in April which was a huge success. I am excited to begin planning for the second expo in Spring 2024.
I am most proud of my ability to bounce back post covid and not be afraid to continue to do what I love. I’m often told that my transparency and honesty is appreciated which also makes me proud. I genuinely want to encourage confidence in each of my clients and the best way to start that process is to offer them something real.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Integrity and effectively communicating helped build my reputation within my market. People want to know that they can depend on you before they just give you their money. If you’re honest and keep your word it builds trust with your clients/customers and they’ll not only return but recommend you to others. Word of mouth is the best advertisement when it’s positive!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
I have been selling products for a while now and I still feel that the best source of new clients is gained by attending events. Social media is second but the in-person connection you get by interacting with new clients is amazing. I have gained various customers through the years, across the states because of one event I did in their area. Those customers probably would have never known to follow me had they not met me at the pop up, holiday event, business expo, as examples.
Contact Info:
- Website: thenicolesc.com
- Instagram: nicolesimpkins_stylist, nicolesimpkinscollection
- Facebook: Nicole Simpkins Collection