Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sydney Boright. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sydney , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

There’s no doubt in my mind that I was always meant to be a business owner. From an early age, I knew entrepreneurship was my calling, and I quickly discovered that the act of working brought me genuine happiness. I still remember at the age of four, asking my parents to buy me a waitress apron and order pad so I could take “orders” at restaurants. I wore that apron every time we went out to eat, always asking the staff if I could shadow them and take orders for them! At eight, I took my first entrepreneurial step, saving up all $21 I had to buy a cash register at a local thrift store. I spent countless days creating a “store” for my friends and family to play in, and to this day, they laugh and say I was destined to own a business.

Before opening Sirena, I had a “regular” job as a social media manager for a marketing company. I loved the work, and I adored the people I got to work with, but the pull to be my own boss was always there. After a few years in the field, I realized it was time to take that leap of faith, the leap I’d been dreaming of since I was a child and open my own women’s boutique. Was it terrifying? Absolutely. But I knew that with passion and determination, I could do it!

Now, every morning, I wake up feeling incredibly lucky to do what I love. It never feels like “work.” Of course, there have been moments of doubt and struggles along the way, times when I felt completely lost, but those are part of every journey. I’ve learned that when you pursue something you’re truly passionate about, you never second-guess whether it’s the right path for you.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi there, my name is Sydney Boright and I am the owner of Sirena Boutique, located in Midtown, Tampa. Named after the Spanish word for “mermaid,” Sirena holds a special significance for me. Growing up in a coastal town, I developed a deep affection for the effortlessly chic, beach-inspired style. Sirena embodies the perfect blend of beachside elegance and
urban sophistication, catering to every aspect of a versatile wardrobe.

I moved to Tampa two years ago after graduating from the University of Alabama to work in marketing. I quickly realized sitting at a cubical and not being able to talk all day was not the career path for me. Everyone always asked me what my 5 or 10 year goal was and it was always to open my own store…and that is exactly what I did in 3 months. I founded Sirena out of a desire to escape the frustration of ill-fitting online purchases. I yearned for a boutique in Tampa where I could find everything I needed for my wardrobe in one refined space, rather than endlessly navigating countless stores. When I realized such a place did not yet exist, I took it upon myself to bring Sirena to life!

At Sirena we want everyone to come in and leave with a renewed sense of confidence. Every time you shop Sirena, you are not just shopping at a store, but you are getting your own tailored personal styling session.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is essential, it’s a core focus of my daily strategy as a business owner. In fact, I’d say about 88% of my customers discover us through social platforms. I was fortunate to already have a personal following of a few thousand when I launched Sirena, which gave me a strong foundation to promote the brand early on. Once we opened our doors, I knew I had to take it to the next level. I dove into creating TikToks and Instagram Reels, leveraging hashtags to maximize reach. Collaboration has also been key, working alongside other female-founded brands and hosting giveaways on social media has been a powerful way to increase engagement, boost followers, and expand our community.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

As a business owner I have noticed the best way to build a reputation is to talk to everyone! You never know who you might talk to and who they are connected with. Show your true passion behind your business and be kind to everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sirenatampa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenatampa/?igsh=ejVjeGQ1OGplOGxr&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sirena-Boutique/61564265564926/?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=5aLXFBZyRm1HVLXg&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2FgksDjHdMJX547nwd%2F%3Fmibextid%3DLQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenaboutiquetampa?_t=8p2EMjFt8CA&_r=1