Apricot Lane Boutique - Part 1: From Corporate to Boutique

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Ever wondered what it takes to leave the corporate world behind and open your own boutique? Ashley Borenz of Apricot Lane Boutique in Vero Beach shares her journey from big box retail manager to independent business owner.

After 15 years in Vero Beach and years working alongside her husband at Lowe's, Ashley took the entrepreneurial leap. Her motivation wasn't just about being her own boss, it stemmed from a desire to create a genuinely personable shopping experience where customer connections matter and employees love coming to work. With her best friend Jamie by her side, they set out to build something special in the community they love.

Ashley offers insights into the franchise model, explaining how Apricot Lane differs from traditional corporate retailers. Unlike cookie-cutter chain stores, her boutique maintains complete autonomy over inventory selection, allowing her to curate styles specifically for Vero Beach clientele while still benefiting from valuable franchise guidance on the business fundamentals.

Perhaps most compelling is Ashley's raw honesty about facing unexpected challenges. Opening the boutique while pregnant forced this self-described "control freak" to learn delegation faster than anticipated. Her initial vision of strapping her newborn on her back while working 10-hour days quickly gave way to a more realistic approach– trusting her team and asking for help. "Opening a business and having a baby taught me to ask for help," she reflects, crediting her infant son with teaching her to relinquish control.

Ready to discover more about Ashley's retail journey and how she's building community connections through fashion? Subscribe to the Vero Beach Podcast and join us next time as we explore the day-to-day operations behind running a successful boutique!

Presented by Killer Bee Marketing
Helping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors.

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