Starting a Boutique

[Reagen]

I have been thinking about opening a trans boutique. I have had this Idea for a while. I'm thinking of opening one where trans women and men could go. Someplace where there would be no worries and have kinda one stop shopping. Clothes, jewlery, wigs make-up and more. Even maybe have stylist and make-up artist and that kind of thing. I was wondering if people would feel comfrotable shopping in someplace like this. I know I have always thought I would love to have a place where I could go and get things without having to make excuses as to why I was buying girl things. Also to have people there that could help with style and fashion.

Any suggestions Please!

[Guest rikkicd64]

Wonderful idea Reagen, I wish you all the success in the world, I am out full time and several people in my TG support group have ask me where to shop,where I shop,they ask if those places are TG friendly, so a place like your talking about would be great!!!

Rikki..

[VickySGV]

The kind of place you are envisioning does exist. I have such a place here in Studio City CA that I have gone to for years and I consider the owner to be a good friend by now. On the down side, we have had two other places like your vision go belly up in the last 6 years. I don't know where you are going to have it, but good luck on your dream. It does answer community need for a while, but then some like myself who are full time TS drift away after a while since our needs can be met in the more common world.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Good idea! And don't forget to promote our sponsor - the BreastForm Store.

Lizzy

[Reagen]

Vicky,

Why did those shops go belly up? Did they not have enough clients or was it just poor quality?

[VickySGV]

Vicky,

Why did those shops go belly up? Did they not have enough clients or was it just poor quality?

In one case, poor management and bad customer relations (the owners had a little drug problem grow up to a huge one) . In the other case, it was changing clientele demands which caused buying problems for the owners, and as luck would have it, one of the local CD clubs a few blocks away also closed down because the owner there retired and his kids wanted the money and not the business. One problem does exist with the Boutiques today, and that is that people can buy stuff on line much easier than they could ten or 15 years ago. You may get "shoppers" but they will go home to buy online unless your products are the same quality cheaper than they can get OL. I did learn an interesting fact a few months ago, that the owner of Glamour Boutique which is one of the TG online stores franchises the name and general service line now. Each Glamour Boutique brick and mortar store is privately owned and managed and at SCC last year two of the stores had their own booths and service goals. Part of the trick is to find a place for a retail site that serves a certain segment of the TG world and then keep your fingers on the community and its shifts and be flexible. If you can find a way to get cos play and CD's together, you have worked a miracle!! I am not trying to be a pessimist, its just my business analyst soul that hasn't transitioned into retirement yet. Keep your eyes open, and I am all for your success.

[Charlize]

I often thought this would be a good idea. There is one woman who used to provide this service in NJ. I agree that it could be hard now with online potential. You need to know if the clients are there and then give it a try. I certainly would stop in as I love to gossip and talk to people going through what i'm experiencing.

Good luck, Charlie

[Guest MiraJ]

awesome idea. You go girl. You know where i would go to go shopping to your place only. yay

You know transitioners will come and go. So, a place where someone can go and dont have to feel awkward to shop for the clothes they desire to buy and woulb be ashamed to it in regular store.

One thought of mine would be still make it a shop for anyone to come in and shop maybe.

ALso, you can also make it available online

You planning on opening it in Atl?

IM proud of you and you have our support

Huggs you Girl

Mira

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

Back in the days of denial, whenever I found a boutique that catered to the TS/CD/TV crowd, I'd go check it out. What I found is that the clothing they offered was ridiculousy over-priced and often very fetishy. Now I totally get there are segments of our girls who really like that kind of thing but it wasn't in my tastes and I also wasn't going to shell out $50 for a bra and panty set that didn't feel like it was made with durable, quality materials.

There used to be a number of stores for the TG community and women who offered transformation services but I have seen a dramatic decline in both over the last few years and I'm guessing it's because of the economy and on-line stores.

Heck I don't even know if the Wildside is still in business up in Canada. That was the first place I knew of that offered a boutique and transformation services. Ah, after a quick search on google, I see it still is. Good for them!

[Reagen]

Well it seem that the consensus to provide top quality clothing at a reasonable price. We all know that this whole transition thing is expensive. I have figured out a way to do just that. Have affordable clothing at a reasonable price. Stay tuned for more detail. I have a feeling that uouall will be amazed.

[Guest ~DeeDee~]

I used to go to a place in Denver called Stidiolites, and they seemed to do really well on the fetish crowd, and as a stand alone quality wig store-for anyone-wigs. Seemed like it took more nerve to go in there than a regular store though, because I felt under the microscope, but that was MY issue.

[Guest deborahtg]

Great idea Rea, reasonably priced clothing, all the items you want in one place, fashion and make up advice.

[Charlize]

Still like the idea but also think that as mentioned above we are all afraid when we first come out. I would be best to design thinking of protecting anonymity.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest ZoeG360]

Any new business start up will require capital, marketing, and location. That plus online service and communications. Before you do anything, do your homework. If you are catering to transitioning trans people you need to know where they are, how to reach them and what they want.

Build your business on cash flow to survive, add amenities as you go but remember, most transitioning people don't have a lot of money as a rule.

Good luck

Zoe

[Guest Lani]

GOOD IDEA & GOOD LUCK!!

:D