We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tobi Salver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tobi below.
Hi Tobi, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
I think if I had to start all over, the number one thing I would do is go into business with a business partner. Having another professional’s ideas and input make a huge difference. A second set of eyes to go over things with is a huge benefit. Sometimes I feel that being the only partner in my business has held me back because as an entrepreneur, I literally do everything. Having a partner helps you look at things in a different perspective, which can be very helpful to the success and growth of a business.
Tobi, 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 launched my online boutique in 2010 out of my apartment in Miami. It was an innovative feat because at that time it was just the beginning of e-commerce on a global scale. I was one of the first online boutiques to specialize in a BoHo chic niche. Being based out of Miami, I found that most boutiques in South Florida all have the same style, which was gaudy and cheesy, and didn’t fit with many women’s styles locally. After looking for retail space to open up a store, I soon realized that online was where it was at long term. I did eventually open a pop-up shop in Wynwood that was met with a lot of local enthusiasm. It ran almost a year longer than it was supposed to.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Initially, my concept was to open up a buy/trade/sell store. My time in Los Angeles opened up this idea to me, as those types of stores were where I was getting most of my clothes from. I loved the ideas and they seemed to do well in Los Angeles. When I relocated back to South Florida, I did some research and realized a few others had tried, and failed with this concept. So from there, I pivoted my business plan to open a shop that sells new, indie designers.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
This was the hard part, and still is! I never had an investor, and relied mostly on credit cards and paypal loans.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myfoxhouse.com
- Instagram: @fox_house
- Facebook: /myfoxhouse