We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tracie Hess a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tracie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Having always had a love for fashion and gift giving it was natural that I wanted to study Fashion Merchandising and so I did but midway thru my studies I lost my brother and my already weak support system completely fell apart. I found myself in survival mode,gave up my studies and found myself a job.Luckily I had a friend that needed a retail manager and receptionist in a high end salon so I began my career in the beauty industry.I was fortunate that this industry kept me close to fashion and fed my creativity.
Fast forward 20 years and I have a successful career “behind the chair” but I wanted more,I felt that young girl inside reminding me of a vision a goal of long ago. Often I would ask my clients what they were doing after thier hair appointment and 8 out of 10 would reply that they were off to shop for a baby gift, birthday gift,hostess gift or a little something for themselves…I saw a need I could meet and potential in realizing a life long dream.To have my own boutique…but with a twist,we put a salon inside which thankfully in the beginning or during slow times gives us a captive audience!
Opening Charmed B&G was a labor of love,lots of lessons learned over the last 6 years but everyday I still wake up excited to go to the shop,research new lines,support local makers and help our customers find just the right gift!
Tracie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Some of this answered in previous.
Here at Charmed Beauty & Gifts we source over 80% of our inventory from other women owned businesses.
One thing I am proud of is our candle line…not only are they poured locally but a local artist also designed our labels and we use a portion of the proceeds from our candle sales to support local charities that are close to our heart!
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
It all happened so fast…the space became available,I made the decision to go for it….I had no money. I worked harder in the two months leading up to opening than I believe I ever have in my life!
LOTS of sweat equity in Charmed Beauty & Gifts
Some creative financing as well…my sweet husband sold a few of his prized Scotty Cameron Tour edition putters,that put close to $7,000 in the till , I called in favors from friends and used credit cards and we made it happen.Its so crazy to imagine how we started to where we are now.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Surviving the Covid lockdowns and then the added restrictions to doing business (especially the salon) plus the huge increase in the cost of doing business since 2020 has made me dizzy from all the pivoting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charmedbeautyandgifts.com
- Instagram: @charmedshopchs
- Facebook: Charmed Beauty & Gifts
- Yelp: Charmed Beauty & Gifts