When did you open your store and why?
I opened Diva in 2006, and at that time a popular opinion of “consignment shops” meant a dingy, dusty, cluttered, wire-hangered mess of a store. I had always consigned and shopped consignment, and I knew that there were exceptions to that perception and consignment could be an amazing way to shop. At that time there was only one other consignment store in Old Town. I really believe that the recession in 2008 catapulted the virtues of consignment shopping to the forefront.
I wanted the store to be somewhere I’d want to shop—cozy, welcoming, very girly, and a tad evocative of a European boutique. Not in a storefront, but in a place with character…thus the 1880’s townhome in which we are located. The inspiration for the name of the store is one of my two rescue dachshunds, Diva.
I had left the corporate cosmetic industry which I had been a part of for close to 25 years…and decided to take the leap and open Diva.
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What is the best part of owning a boutique?
I spent my entire working life in a corporate atmosphere—too many meetings, too many egos, too much talking and not a lot of doing by companies, and some of the most horrifying bosses ever. I was really tired of it, and had always planned to open a store—and in fall of 2006 all the planets just seemed to be aligned…and I decided it was the time to make the move.
I love to be able to put my fashion knowledge (gained in years past as a confessed shopaholic-I opened the store with all my own things) to work in editing Diva’s selections–and I love to see customers find a piece that they absolutely love. I truly look forward to coming to work every day.
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What is the hardest part of owning a boutique?
I think that any business owner would tell you that they are their own hardest boss. A small business is pretty much “you” so you want it to have the feel and vibe you want to project. And let’s face it, if the “boss” wants you to do work at 5 in the morning, you’re always “with” him or her so you do it because you know you need to.
What inspires you?
I love fashion! I enjoy following my favorite designers—Donna Karan, Prada, Michael Kors, Dries van Noten, among them–to see their creations. I also love the history of fashion—the 50s designers such as Christian Dior and Jacques Fath made pieces to die for.
What is the OTBD boutique you frequent the most?
There are lots of terrific stores in the OTBD, but frankly, when I have a free moment now and then the last thing I want to do is shop!
