#819: What 50+ Years in Boutique Retail Can Teach Today's Store Owners

Welcome to the Boutique Chat Podcast, where we're gonna help you build a profitable, sustainable business without you having to sacrifice your profitability, your family, or your sanity. Each week we're gonna dive into real conversations with retailers who have been exactly where you are and industry experts so you can learn and know exactly what to do next, all in community over competition. Whether you're just getting started or you're growing past an 8-figure business, you're in the right spot. So let's get into it. Welcome to this week's episode. All right, hey guys, welcome back to the podcast this week and welcome to our OG series where we are celebrating our very first OG members here at the Boutique Hub. So Linda, I am so excited, you're my first recording in the OG series. Thanks for being on the podcast today.

Well, thanks for inviting me, I love it.

Well, we've got a lot to talk about and I— your story is so special to me because you go back to the heart of how the Hub very first started and my very first mentor and your relationship with her. And we're going to get into all of that in just a minute. But before we do, let's get you introduced to all the listeners today. Linda, tell me more about your store, where you're from, how long you've been in business, and what you sell. All the behind the scenes things.

Oh my goodness. Well, my name is Linda Winter. My business is Accessories with a Flair and Hair. I've been in business for— since 1970. Uh, so now you'll know how old I am, which is fine. But anyway, uh, it's a boutique, a hair salon, a makeup studio, and a wig center. And so I, uh, have never believed to just sell one thing. I sell lots of things. I don't put all my eggs in one basket because sometimes if that— if you only have a few things to sell, then people aren't always interested in everything. So Um, you know, it's, it's been a fun ride. It's a challenge, but the secret to success is do whatever it takes.

Oh my gosh, I love it. Do whatever it takes. I totally agree with that. Linda, where, where is your store located at?

It's in Greeley, Colorado, which is about 50 miles north of Denver.

I love it. So are you— were you affiliated with Merle Norman or at one point, like the wigs, the makeup? I mean, or did you just like— when your business was growing, it was probably around the same time that that franchise was growing and that business model of having boutique hair, wigs, makeup all in one place?

No, that didn't do anything for me. I, you know, I started with 3 pieces of jewelry. I've had the hair salon for 20 years before that. And then I went to an event in Phoenix where they were doing an accessorizing program. So I thought, well, that sounds fun. So I bought like 3 pieces of jewelry and I showed one of my customers 'Um, would you like this stuff?' She goes, 'Yeah, I, I'll buy it all.' And I thought to myself, 'Well, I'm out of business.' And so then I got more pieces, then I added the clothes. Um, I have done fashion shows for years. My biggest group probably I'd get it for was like 450 people. And I, I went around, you know, like sometimes I'd do 2 shows in a day in 2 different towns. So then one day a lady said, why don't you get a store? And I thought, what? I work out of the back of my Suburban and take it into the conventions. So I found a storefront and that was the best thing I ever did. I love it.

So when you opened that first storefront, were you doing hair in the same space or were you still doing hair somewhere else as well?

Well, I, I, so my hair salon for 20 years was in my home out in the country on the farm.

Okay.

And then I decided I'd go into Greeley, which was 10 miles away, and I got a store. And then I moved the hair salon in with the store. And then it just kept growing. So, and I've been in this, uh, my location right now since 2013. Wow. And, uh, it's, it's been great. It's, it was the best move I ever made.

I love that. I, I think it's so important. I wanna hit on this a little bit more, just, um, the different product offerings that you have. The importance of diversifying and not just relying on one category alone. Tell me about maybe some wins and losses in learning that lesson along the way. Were there things that you tried over the years, categories you brought in that were flops, or how did you best introduce something completely new to your audience?

Well, what I sell kind of all goes together, you know, from head to toe. You can have your hair done, colored, permed, whatever. You can buy a wig. Um, I can, uh, help you. Well, what personal service is very important to me, and I think it is to the customer still today. But I, if you come in and say, I'm going to this event, I might need this and that, and I, I have the jewelry, the hats, the purses, the clothes, uh, the makeup. My, I have a private label skincare line too that's about 12 years old. Okay. So, you know, if they can come here and shop and get everything they need, so much the better for them.

So much the better for them. And I mean, to the point of brick and mortar is still absolutely critical. Like, yes, you can buy the things online, but brick and mortar business is alive and well because people can come in, touch, feel, and experience you, your customer service, and your products.

Right. Because, you know, not everybody knows how to put every outfit together. Or I also do color analysis. Maybe they're choosing, uh, maybe the wrong colors for their, uh, makeup, their eyeshadow, and also their clothes. And if they pick the right color for them, that makes them look outstanding.

I love that. That's a great way to tie it all together, the makeup and the clothes with the color analysis. A lot of stores that I know do it are, you know, are obviously only doing it with apparel and not offering it with beauty. So that totally makes sense to tie it all together.

Well, and I sponsor Miss Rodeo Colorado, so I get all the rodeo queens. Yes, across the country. And I do clinics for the young girls who want to be the rodeo queen. And so Sometimes I'll do 50 at one clinic and make them realize the right color makes them out— look outstanding on stage.

Totally. Okay, wait, Linda, our paths crossed in so many different ways. You've probably told me that before and I forgot, but I didn't realize we had the rodeo queen life.

Oh, of course. Are you a rodeo queen?

I was Miss Rodeo America.

What?

Yes, I was.

Oh my goodness. I love it.

No way. No, and I didn't know that you work with Miss Rodeo Colorado. So really, like, oh my gosh, I have so many memories with Miss Rodeo Colorado. I've been to Greeley to the pro rodeo.

What? Oh my goodness.

Yes. And so the fact that you're doing clinics, this is so crazy. Now, Sarah Burke said the Boutique Hub was also a rodeo queen.

Oh geez.

She was Miss High School Rodeo Wisconsin. You guys listening to the podcast, you're going to just get Linda and I going on all kinds of squirrels today. So just bear with us.

Do you mind if I ask you what year you were queen?

Yeah, so I was Miss Rodeo North Dakota in 2006, and then I was Miss Rodeo America in 2007. And fun fact, Linda, um, I believe I was the first Miss Rodeo America that wore a wig.

Yay!

Because I had cancer the year I was Miss Rodeo North Dakota, and I lost all my hair during chemotherapy. And so I competed at Miss Rodeo America wearing a wig, and then for just over half of my years as Miss Rodeo America, I wore a wig until my hair grew back. And then I brought back the short hair rodeo queen trend.

Sure. Well, oh my gosh, that is amazing. Oh, that's great.

We still ride horses.

You're still riding horses?

I do, yep. I still— we have horses, and now I have 3 kids, and we have 2 girls and a boy, and our 2 daughters rodeo as well. So high school rodeo and junior high rodeo. I can't convince them to run for queen. I've tried. Our youngest one probably will, but our oldest one is like, ah, no.

Jeez, they will eventually. I know.

I'm gonna send them to you. They're gonna get their colors done and we're gonna talk about, um, all the things. So, so many good Colorado memories though during Miss Rodeo America because of the Stock Show. I mean, I spent all month in— of January in Denver for 2 years.

So, and maybe you've been— were you at the Greeley Stampede?

I was, yeah.

See, there you go. I I bet I know you. I'll go back and look at my pictures.

Oh my God, we have to go back. This is so funny. Okay. When we share this podcast, you guys that are listening, you're going to have to come to social media because if we find pictures, Linda, we're sharing.

Oh my gosh. That's hilarious.

It's so crazy. Okay. So besides, this is the OG episode and this feels like such an OG episode. Um, so besides the rodeo queen world that we have in common, you were one of our very first members at The Boutique Hub. And I would love for you to tell the story of how you discovered The Boutique Hub, because it's also very personal to me. I love, I love your discovery story. So tell me all those things.

Well, as we know, the magazine that used to come out and that I spoke in Vegas at the Wynn Show, and I'm sure you were probably there. And I think, didn't TJ Reid introduce you maybe? And say that you were going to do something new that— because she was going to retire or something like that.

Yeah.

So yeah, so that's fun. It's critical. Those shows are critical still. Um, but you know, some of the best things you learn is from young people like you because you had the spark of, you know, going in her footsteps but still, uh, keeping the— her dream alive. And she, I think she chose you. I don't know that.

I feel like she crowned me. I feel like she crowned me. Like, I'm so honored. She, so for everyone listening, TJ Reid, I think was kind of the pioneer of helping, especially women's apparel boutiques.

Yes.

Um, she had a magazine called Fashion Advantage and actually Sarah Burks used to subscribe to Fashion Advantage when she had her store and wrote articles for it and the whole thing. And so I think it was probably Sarah who told me about TJ. TJ and I became friends and she invited me to that Windshow and I literally, I stood in her booth. I'd never been to an apparel show. It was my very first show I'd ever gone to. And I stood in her booth with her and she was so generous and kind. She introduced me to all of her stores. And I think I spoke at the show as well. And I talked about digital marketing, something that everyone was probably like, fuck.

Afraid of. Yes, of course.

Yeah. And that was back in what, 2016?

I think so. I still have the magazine. I'm going to look. I bet you're in there.

Oh my gosh.

Yeah.

I saved many of them. So TJ decided she was retiring. She was, you know, you know, discontinued the magazine, all the things. And so she sort of passed the baton and said, this, this girl's doing this thing. You should go follow her. So I'm so grateful for her. And thank you to you for, for the connection.

Well, you know, what you teach people is priceless. So everybody in every age needs to follow you and be in your groups. So that's my testimony.

Hey, you're invited to join us as a member of the Boutique Hub. I love that you follow the podcast and all of our content here at the Hub, but more importantly, let's get you inside. As a member of the Boutique Hub, you have access to 4 key areas to grow your business. Number 1, we're gonna surround you with an amazing community of retailers just like you who get it at your size, at your business type. We wanna get you connected with the people who can help you through all of the good and the bad that it takes to be a business owner. The second thing, we wanna get you expert education, live trainings every single week, instant AI answers with our personally trained bot, and a full training library on every single area of your business. Next, exclusive savings. Hub members save money, whether it's on wholesale brands that you're shopping with at market or the apps and the tools you're using on a daily basis. Hub members have massive savings. And finally, it's all about networking and relationships with wholesale brands. So if you are looking for the best vetted, proven wholesale products for your business. We partner with over 1,000 brands inside of the Boutique Hub to get you instant access and the best savings. So come and join us as a member of the Boutique Hub. I can't wait to see you inside. Well, I will say, you know, it was probably, I think for a lot of store owners, and I'll say this is true for anyone starting a business, you probably experienced this too. There's a certain time you go through when you're starting a business and people look at you kind of like, well, what do you know, you know? Well, good luck with your little thing. And I had a lot of people who kind of patted me on the head and they were like, man, good luck, little girl, little blonde.

Yep.

And so I just have to say, like, thank you for seeing this little blonde girl on stage and saying, you know, age doesn't matter, I'm sure she has something we can, you know, learn from, or we can build this community over competition. Not a lot of people saw that right away, so I admire the fact that you did.

Well, and like you said, it's scary, all the things, you know, the internet stuff. And I remember thinking, what? This is going to ruin the whole world. But we're in it and you have to keep up with it no matter what your age is. And like I said, just do what it takes.

What advice would you have for store owners, you know, that are experienced, that have been in business 30, 40, 50 years? You know, we've had several members of The Hub in that position. Um, what advice would you have for them when it comes to just working with the Hub and getting involved with their membership?

Well, you know, uh, there's a lot of ways to— you have to promote your business. It's not up to anybody else, but if you don't live your business, you're going to lose it. And so you've got to be open to all the new things. Yes, you can do some of the old things, but, uh, change with the times. You have to know your niche market. If you have a store full of stuff that nobody wants, then you haven't found the right niche in your area.

Yeah.

So, you know, kind of listen to what people want and then find a way to make them love it and you can sell it to them. So good.

If you go back to some of the best business advice that you received when you were starting that still holds true to you today, what would that be?

Uh, you know, just, just, uh, like I said, just keep up with what's new, but some of the old is okay because not everybody is 25 years old. Yeah, you know, so it's good if you can try and get things in your store that is good for all ages. You know, don't have it just to, uh, one age, one type of customer, because, you know, I have customers from 13 to 95 and everything in between. So, you know, everybody's got a value and everybody wants to feel valued. So that's your job, to make them look like a million bucks. And maybe on a budget, that's fine.

You know, I totally agree. It's like looking at people as if they have a sign around their neck that says, make me feel important.

Right. And if they only see dollar signs in your eyes, you got to be real. Yeah. They know that, oh, every time I go in there, she's going to try and sell me something that I don't want. That's not real, and they're not going to be loyal to you.

Yeah.

So, uh, you know, um, you've got to research the things that are out there and do what's good for your community. That's another important thing, I think. You got to get out in your community. It's good not just to be a good person, but when they see— they see you and then they buy what you have. They— if they don't like you, they're not gonna shop with you. So, uh, you know, you can give and give and give, and that's great to be a good community member, but also, um, give because you like the people, you like your community, and it will come back tenfold.

I would— I agree with that so much. I think you have to be alive in your community, whether— and it's not even just giving, but just, uh, of money or product, but it's giving of time. You know, to your point, you were talking about Rodeo Queens and putting on clinics and whatever, and maybe it's Chamber of Commerce or volunteering for different things. Um, what, you know, what other advice do you have just for being alive in your community and becoming—

well, maybe be on boards. Of course, my husband say, can you go to a meeting and not raise your hand? Go, yes, I will. So, uh, you know, he's not a joiner, but he is very supportive of what I do. Um, and so I'm on 3 different boards right now. And they're all totally different. But if people see you as a good person and caring about your community, they'll come in and shop with you. It may not be today, but it will happen.

Yeah, it takes time. It takes time to build that brand relationship.

Yes. Your brand is very important, as you know. Yeah, you have an amazing one. See?

Well, it's, it's taken a lot of time and it's taken an amazing team, I'll tell you. Do you think, like, if you look at new businesses that are starting today, like young business owners that are just getting into this, um, do you see that there's like maybe common mistakes or misconceptions that they have about business?

Yes. Sometimes they say, oh, I have my own business, now I'm gonna go on vacation. I got me a manager and all this stuff. People come to see you, uh, you are your business. You know, they, they don't want somebody that doesn't know how to help 'em when they come in your store. And they have to have some cash behind them for those rainy days, because as you know, we all went through COVID, and now it's kind of an interesting time also. You have to, uh, just mind your money and, and, uh, figure out, you know, you got to have enough to hold you through in case there's tough times.

Yeah.

So, and, but you have to also be open. I'm open 6 days a week except I go to my kids', um, grandkids' games and stuff and my meetings. But I'm available, uh, you know, they can call me whenever. And I, I have people that, um, will call for an appointment. They come from Northern Wyoming and Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, you know. And so when they come to town, they come to visit me. One lady said, I just got off the plane, I came right up here before you close. I thought, oh my God. So anyway, it was good, you know. But they're true, true to you if you're true to them. Yeah.

Well, going back to what you just said, this business is full of cycles, right? There's always ups and there's always downs. And I do think that's something that's surprising for new business owners as well. What advice would you have for any business owner today in just getting through the cycles and the waves of this business? How do you, how do you manage it over the years?

Well, uh, like I said, you know, I have so many factions to my business. If one is lagging, the other side usually is not. I, I sell like 500 wigs a year. Wigs are huge.

Wow.

Okay. And it's not just for people with hair loss or that are ill or anything like that, but they, you know, some people, um, want it because they travel a lot or they've got a bad haircut or bad color or whatever it is. And so when usually when one side of my business is a little lagging, the other side comes up. So there again, If you have many different kinds of things, you'll get many different kinds of customers.

Ah, diversify.

Yes.

I think so.

Good.

Yes. Speak to this, Linda. Um, I know, you know, over the years, like we talked about COVID or housing crisis or, you know, just these things that happen and, um, or even you mentioned earlier, just the rise of the internet being scary and people saying this is gonna take us out.

Yep.

You, I mean, It's one thing to ride the cycles of retail because they happen, but mindset-wise, how do you approach when, you know, something new like AI, you know, people are like, oh, AI is going to take over the world. How do you approach those topics that scare most people into not taking action or not taking the right action? How do you, how do you manage that mentally to get through some of those big scary moments?

Well, you can't be afraid of change. And so I try all the different things and some things work for me and some don't. I also have, uh, people— I have a great website finally after 30 years. And, uh, uh, my website lady, she has, um, her staff who does a lot of my social media. So, you know, as long as they're, um, being, uh, doing what your brand is, you know, let them do some of this stuff too. And they can— you You know, they come up with new ideas. I, every day I have a, the book that I get from you, um, I put in ideas. And you know what's funny is, um, I might have written something 4 months ago and I look back and I already did it. So if you write it down, you think about it, it works on you, try it and it might work. But you know, don't, uh, have an idea book because you may need to go back and look again and think, oh yeah, that was a good idea. And what I like about your stuff is, um, you have the verbiage and, uh, you know, you're just right on top of every single thing that's happening in the boutique world today. So, and you got to pay attention. I mean, we all have our opinions, but, you know, uh, we can all learn from each other, and yours is the best. So there you go.

Oh, thank you, you're so sweet.

Well, I know it's true.

Uh, we have an amazing team. They're all on top of it. You know, we all like, it's just like community over competition, right? Like two heads are better than one. We all can put our heads together and learn from one another and share. And, um, do you feel like, you know, you join the hub right away when community over competition wasn't necessarily this broad popular thing that people talk about maybe as much as they do now. Um, have you seen that change over the years? Do you feel like today businesses collaborate? More or better than they used to? Do you think you've seen a change in that over the years?

Some people do, you know, some people are afraid of like another boutique moves in next door to you or something, but really it brings different kinds of customers. So they go to their store, they come to my store, or it's just like for restaurants, the same thing, you know, it doesn't matter if there's 10 restaurants on 2 blocks. Yeah, people are gonna notice things and they're gonna use different, uh, go to different restaurants at different times. But it's, uh, they can see that you're there, you know. And I think location is amazing. I am on a busy highway here, and I was gonna buy a store that was kind of around the corner, and there's no traffic there. So I think if you, you're a brick and mortar, you gotta be kind of in the right place. But if you have what people want, they will come, as in the movie. If you build it, they will come, right?

I know, feel the dreams, right? If only Kevin Costner would just show up in the yard. I know.

Well, do you know, this is off subject, but the Western hats in Yellowstone were made here in Greeley.

Oh, Shorty's.

Oh, uh, Trent, uh, yeah, Greeley Hat Works. Yes, of course.

Yeah, so see, isn't Shorty's— isn't Shorty's in Greeley as well?

Uh, no, I don't think so.

No, she's in Oklahoma, not— I'm Yeah, no, I know Trent. I know Trent well.

I bet you do. Yes, me too.

Oh my gosh. Yeah. Such a small world. We could talk. We just keep talking rodeo queen land.

I know. Oh my goodness.

Listening to us. Oh my goodness. Just thinking about, you know, one of the most important aspects of business is inventory management, cash flow, paying yourself.

Yeah.

What advice do you have? You've been in business a long time. What advice do you have to other retailers on carrying the right amount of inventory, getting the most cash out of your inventory, and maintaining, you know, a net positive business year over year. What advice do you have for others?

Right. Well, you know, you, if you know what you're stocking your store with and it seems to go, get some more. But, you know, of course, for, for every season there's a different change. But see, like what you can think of, if you have a lot of spring things or lightweight things, people do travel. So say, you know, advertise, well, these are things that you can take on your vacation and you go to the beach. Um, you know, I do a lot of hats of all kinds. I do Kentucky Derby hats, I do, uh, sun hats, I do Western hats. And so that kind of is the gamut of, um, things all year. So, um, you know, we all have a lot of sales. I know people are just hounded by, you know, another sale, another sale. So don't have so many sales that you sell yourself right out of business, you know. I mean, you got to make money. It's okay for you to make money. Maybe you give them a little free gift, uh, like a bracelet or something, when instead of just a total washout sale. You don't have to sell everything for 50% off. But yeah, you know, uh, too much— my store is small, 1,100 square feet. And so I don't have any extra room to keep too many things, but I have just enough for all the different ages.

Oh my, it's important. Sarah used to say that, she'd say, marry me to bury me, something for everything in between, or everyone in between, right? But it's important, and I think this is important for a bridge type customer. You're selling to people that have more money than a 20-year-old in college.

Right.

You know, they're willing to invest in whether it's skincare or apparel or wigs or whatever. So I think that's really important.

Right.

When you think about like, you know, managing how many sales you're running and looking at promotions, are there promotions or events or maybe loyalty programs, things like that, that you feel like over the years, like these are my proven winners that I usually get the most return from?

Sure. Well, we have a lot of events and nonprofit um, events in this town. And so I cater to that because people are willing to go to these fundraisers for all kinds of different events, whether it's a Western thing or like the Kentucky Derby thing. So I hone in on what's going on, uh, on the calendar— Easter, whatever it is— and then, uh, show people that they can come in and buy everything they need here: their hat, their clothes, their jewelry. Uh, you know, get a new haircut, whatever it is, their wig. And so I focus on events because if you're just, you know, like if I had all, um, exercise wear or something, you know, there's not a season or events that goes with that. But my things, that's always worked. I, I promote what's coming up next in town and in Northern Colorado, and, uh, that, that really helps. You know, keep on top of what's— what people are going to be going to. So they need my clothes and jewelry.

Yeah, well, it's really solving their problem. I talk about this so much in Retail Bootcamp. You know, you can either be a business that just sells product, like I'm just pushing product, but like you said, that's not genuine. But if you're actually considering, this is my customer, this is where I know she's going, and here's what she's gonna need when she gets there— vacation, whatever— it's easy to solve her problems.

That's— they, they depend on me to have what they might want, and they're surprised when they come in and I do have it.

Linda's got everything. I'm coming to visit Linda.

That's it.

Oh my, what's been the hardest lesson you've had to learn in business over the years?

Uh, you know, I don't look at anything as being hard. I mean, I just keep on trudging and I try and learn as I go along. The hardest thing— I know, I really don't feel bad about anything.

I love—

I, you know, just keep, keep going and be true to your brand and be what you are. You know, I, I could start getting the $5 shirts in here, and I don't— I'm not to put down Walmart, but If somebody comes in here and they are looking for something that's very blah, it's called Accessories with a Flair, not Accessories with a Blah, and they're not going to find it here. And so I shouldn't feel bad if they said, I just went to whatever, Walmart, and bought a $5 top. Well, good for you, but I'm not going to stock that, you know. I don't tell them that, of course.

Linda, you're speaking to my heart. I, I always am like, listen, cheap ain't loyal. You can go to Walmart all day long, but that is not your customer. That's fine.

That's right. You know, they've got theirs, I've got mine. That's just the way it works.

I'd rather have the flair. Give me all the flair.

Oh my goodness.

Um, what has been, uh, when you just like look back at, you know, what makes you money on a day-to-day basis? If I gave you 2 hours back in your day to work on just income-generating activity, what would you focus on first?

I would, uh, focus on the next social media thing that I need. Um, and also, uh, I have to look far ahead. I do magazine advertising, and I pick models, uh, that are successful women in our town, and they wear my clothes in the magazine. And so I have to keep ahead of it. And, you know, I've got— I'm booked out with all these other different events that I have a lot of shopping parties in my store. So now, um, I call them VIP shopping events, and I will give that away as a silent auction thing, and then they will, uh, pay whatever it is to the group that we're raising funds for. And then they come in here and I treat them like queens when they come in here, and they buy. Trust me, you know, they want to be with their friends. That's a, a shopping party is what everybody wants nowadays. And so I close after hours and they can have their friends that do the birthday party or whatever they're doing right here.

Yeah. So it's funny, I see that across the country. That's such a huge benefit. We, um, I don't know, Linda, if you participate in Pink Friday. Do you participate in Pink Friday as well?

Uh, not as much as I probably should.

Yeah, that, um, here locally in Wisconsin for Pink Friday, I rent a bus A big Greyhound bus, and I fill it with as many friends and their friends and their family, and, and we go around and we boutique shop. We go to like 6 different stores that day. But it's funny because after that experience, like those women getting to shop together like that, what I hear the ripple effects after that bus ride is they're all booking shopping parties with all of those stores. Because you're right, women want to go and have a day of it with their friends. It's such an experience.

You bet. Well, okay, I'm gonna write that down. I'm gonna get me a bus.

It'd be a fun bus. I know that.

Wow. Good idea. See, you're full of good ideas. Oh my gosh.

Well, Linda, this is, this is so fun. Um, again, thinking about just your time, long time at the Boutique Hub, what's your best advice for others that are just joining the community at the Hub? Uh, what advice would you give them to just stay on top of it and get the most out of it for their business?

Well, you know, you can create things. Create unique things if you can, but think ahead, write things down, um, know what your niche market is in your town or your area. Because if you're— like I said, if you are filling your store stuff that maybe nobody will wear or buy or whatever, you're defeating the purpose. So make it fun, um, be true to what you stand for, and they will come.

They will come. They will come. And you, you brought up the Wind Show. I, I want to just give one more shout out and pitch to that, making sure you know your niche customer. And if you have, you know, a more bridge type customer, make sure you check out the Wind Show as well. I'm sure that's still a huge part of your business today, going there every year.

Yeah, I go twice a year to Vegas, and, uh, you know, we have a little fun. But I also, you know, it was very overwhelming when I went the first time. I thought, oh my gosh, how am I going to go through 10,000 vendors? But you can, and you need to feel the cloth, see what it looks like, see if you trust the people that's selling to you. And that's still very important to me.

So, so good. Well, Linda, I have one last question for you, and this is the big question on the podcast. So, I mean, you've been in business how many years again? Have you been in business?

I started my hair salon in 1970. Wowie. You know, I'm old enough to be your grandma. Think about it. I'm 73, and, you know, I've just gone through all kinds of different ages and tried to adjust to what's going on and yet still be true to my accessories with a flair and care.

I love it. So 56 years. I had to do the math. Number 1, that's crazy. That's amazing. Also, you're not old enough to be my grandma. My mom is actually 82. You're still a spring chicken.

Oh my gosh. Well, you know, I've got grandkids that are married and going to have babies. I'm going to be a great grandma here soon. Yay!

I love that. Well, all right. So knowing this, 56 years. Oh my gosh, is awesome. Looking back, let's just say we're going to have these great grandbabies. And in a couple of years with these great grandbabies, you're going to be sitting on the front porch and it's going to be all these generations of your family together and they're going to be talking about Accessories with Flair. And hair. And they're going to be asking all about your journey, Linda. As you look back and you tell your family and you reflect with your grandkids about the life you lived and the business that you built and all the women you served over the years, what's the thing that you really want them to remember the most about you and how you lived and how you operated?

I try— I tried everything that— and I, um, kept— well, I tried to manage working on the farm and my volunteer work and my grandkids, my kids, all their activities. You know, it's a full life. You can make your life full or you can sit at home and whine about it. So get out there and live and smell the roses. How about that?

Stop and smell. It's not about where the destination is leading. It's about the journey to get there.

Smell the roses and share yourself with your kids and your grandkids. I think that is important.

So important. Linda, this is amazing. Thank you so much for being on the podcast today, being my first OG guest.

Oh my gosh.

Surprises along the way. This is so fun. Thank you for being here today.

Thank you very much for inviting me.

Hey guys, thanks so much for listening to this week's episode. If you found it helpful, please share it with a friend or feel free to subscribe. And I would always love it if you would leave a rating and review. Hey, if you want more tools, education, and just support, head on over to theboutiquehub.com, or if you have feedback or episode ideas, DM me personally, @ajalderson, on Instagram. Thanks so much for being here and listening to this week's episode. I'll see you next week.