Today we’d like to introduce you to Taquia Turner.
Hi Taquia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Having grown up in a fashion center (NYC), with a mother who is a fashionista, I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with fashion. However, I was in high school when I knew that I wanted to work within the fashion industry. I was lucky enough to get a taste of designing both at school and through the Fashion Institute of Technology’s high school program.
I was able to put my newfound knowledge to work, and designed my senior prom gown. After high school, I began my BFA in fashion, but that was short-lived. My life took a detour which included becoming an EMT, starting a family, and enlisting with the US Navy. After completing my military contract, I began selling LuLaRoe, an MLM fashion brand primarily known for its leggings.
I worked under their umbrella for just over 3 years. Doing this reminded me of my love for fashion, and I returned to college to complete my fashion degree. At the end of 2019, I decided to step away from LuLaRoe and opened a boutique space at the Total Salons in St. Johns, carrying a selection of comfortable yet fashion-forward clothing for women.
I also added accessories, something I did not stock while working under LuLaRoe. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I had to make the tough decision to move my boutique into my home. While most of my customers shop from my website, retailtherapywitht.com, I accept appointments for in-home shoppers as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road at all. One major struggle for me has been making my business known, especially locally. When I opened my location in St. Johns, I thought I would have tons of traffic from the various beauty business within Total Salons. The reality ended up being that no one knew I was there.
However, the other business owners did tell their clients about me, and occasionally they would stop in before or after their appointments. I believe that eventually, more people would have found their way to me. Much like many businesses the pandemic has been the biggest struggle. For months people were not shopping for new clothes because they had nowhere to go. Between that and Covid-19 restrictions, I had to make the decision to move my boutique into my home in Mandarin.
Masks became a hot seller for me during this time, but my business still struggled immensely. There were several months in which I struggled to get new inventory because manufacturers were limited in the number of workers who could be present at once. Even now, when much has returned normal, there is an occasional hiccup in my wholesale orders due to import shipping delays.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Taquia Turner Boutique?
Taquia Turner Boutique offers a variety of women’s fashion, sizes S-3X (4-24), with every piece being both cute and comfortable. I hold a strong belief that comfort and style can co-exist, and there is no need to sacrifice one for the other. It is my goal to help women build confidence by looking great while feeling great.
While it is not an official service I offer, I am more than happy to assist with outfit styling, even if that means a live video call so I can see customers’ closets. There is nothing that brings me more joy than hearing how great my customers feel when they receive compliments on pieces they have worn from my boutique.
One thing that separates me from other fashion retailers is that I truly care about my customers, and have befriended many of them. I have even traveled with one of them.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I am currently finishing up my final year of my BFA in fashion, at the Academy of Art University.
I am constantly learning something new through college, but between homeschooling my 3 daughters, running my business, workouts, and a very thin social life, I haven’t found much time for outside reading. Facebook is a huge resource for my business. A majority of my customers belong to my Facebook VIP group (Taquia Turner: Boutique VIPs).
In this group, I share pictures of pieces I am considering and allow members to vote on what they like best. I will often order pieces the majority prefer. I also conduct pre-orders, and this group of women is first to see and be notified of what is new to the boutique.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: retailtherapywitht.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taquia_turner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1496433850504524/
