We recently connected with Taylor Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
The thing I pride myself on the most in my clothing boutique is being “adorable and affordable”. I work very hard to be able to create a line of fashion that fits all different ages of women and makes them feel 100% confident in the beautiful woman they are. When curating my newest styles, I work tirelessly to assure that they are well made, unique, stylish and affordable. There is not one piece in my boutique that is over $50, which is rarely heard of in today’s economy. I know as women (and especially as mother’s), we feel guilty when purchasing for ourselves, but a women’s confidence is truly one of the most important factors in her overall demeanor and happiness, so I created this boutique to allow the woman who doesn’t ever spend a dime on herself, to be able to walk in, try on an outfit that makes her feel genuinely beautiful, and walk out without feeling the guilt of spending hundreds of dollars on herself but still execute a high-end fashion appearance to the public.
Another perk about shopping my small business is I work diligently to create a personal relationship with all my customers, and provide my personal cell phone for any product questions, comments and concerns and am available at your convenience to help with anything, even if it is just a quick styling piece of advice.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Taylor Johnson, I am married to my middle school love (Chandler); have two huskies; a beautiful baby girl and another one on the way arriving this August. As for how I got into the boutique industry, back in 2021, my boyfriend (now husband) and I had been talking a lot about the future at the time and how we both were working so much that when the time came to raise a family, we would have to rely on others for childcare and be away from our family all day five days a week and we did not like the idea of it. I have always been a very motivated person and did not like feeling capped out in a job I worked so hard at. I loved the idea of being self-employed and being able to create an income based on my strong work ethic. Chandler told me now was the time to brainstorm exactly what I wanted to do while we were still young and by the time we have a family hopefully the first year (or two) business struggles will be all worked out and we will have a successful business that we can support our family with while still being with our family as much as we’d like.
In late July 2021, Chandler and I were driving downtown Milford and came across a “Boutique and Photography Studio”, that’s when it hit me, I could combine my love for photography and my passion for fashion into one business. The timeline went like this: July 25 – idea sparks; July 28 – Company name texted and puts the wheels in work; July 31 – I created a free version of a Shopify website; August 4 – contacted accountant to LLC; August 6 – officially LLC’d; August 8 – purchased a mirorless Nikon; August 10 – hired graphic designer to create logo and business cards; August 11 – opened business bank account; August 20- received business cards; August 20 – placed first retail order for my boutique launch; September 21 – Launched business and the rest is history ;)
My clothing boutique started with specializing in women’s clothing, but soon after I started a family of my own, I dipped into the industry of baby fashion as well, and plan to keep growing with that as well. I work diligently to curate the most adorable and affordable pieces to make women of all ages feel completely and utterly beautiful.
Owning a business is definitely not a cakewalk, but the idea of where it started, where it is now & what this can continue to grow to be keeps me going and lights my passion on fire. I know I have it in me and having the most supportive partner, and family that never doubts me definitely helps. The idea of being able to be involved in every chapter of my girls’ lives growing up & pass the business down to my little girls one day is one of my main motivators to keep going in a world today that has unfortunately knocked so many small businesses out.
As stated in a previous narrative, the thing I am most proud of in my business is being able to stay affordable and provide high-end fashion to women who normally would not splurge on themselves and create a personal friendship with each and every customer.
As a small business owner, it is people like you reading this, who hear about me, share my business to their peers, follow my journey on social media, and of course those that purchase from my small business that give me the ability to live my dream life every day and I am forever grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
My biggest pivot in life was when I went from a consistent 9-5 legal secretary job, to taking a chance and diving headfirst into the self-employed industry and quitting my full-time job to chase this passion for fashion (which I must say I do not have any regrets :) ).
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
When I initially launched my business, I worked as a full-time legal assistant at an insurance defense law firm. I had been doing that career for five years and enjoyed it but had hit a point where I felt capped out in my career unless I were to take the leap of law school which was not in my calling. I was diving deeper and deeper every day after work in my boutique and had started receiving very positive feedback regarding my business ventures, so I ultimately decided to take the leap and put all my time, energy and passion into my clothing boutique and quit my full time job. Once I quit my job I had the time to start participating in pop-ups and vendor shows which really took my business to the next level. Once I had experienced the thrill of in person sales, and meeting so many wonderful people through these shows, I knew I had to get my online items into a store to be able to provide access to my clothing for my customers to try on pieces whenever they needed an outfit for their next event and that is when I took the next step of renting space in stores. I have been a vendor in three different stores now, but at the moment am located primarily in Dreamy Daze Boutique in Downtown Milford which I absolutely love. The owner, Michelle is passionate about the same attributes I am when it comes to running a clothing boutique which helps our businesses to thrive together as one and provide a wonderful shopping experience for all customers that walk through the door.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tntclothingandcaptures.com
- Instagram: @tntclothingandcaptures
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/tntclothingandcaptures
- Linkedin: Taylor Johnson
- Twitter: N/A
- Youtube: N/A
- Yelp: N/A
- Soundcloud: N/A
- Other: Tik Tok – @tntclothingandcaptures
Image Credits
I took all images :)