Lessons Learned In The First Year of Business with Pam Colon

Calling all brand new business owners. This week episode is just for you. You know, one of my favorite things about interviewing guests on Boutique Chat is I feel so lucky to get to talk to store owners of all types and all sizes and all backgrounds. But I hear you guys when you're saying, hey, I don't want to just learn from people who have been there for a while. I want to hear from people who are in the thick of it, who are just getting started and figuring it out as they go. And that's why this week's guest is so important. Pam Colon is the owner and founder of Muted Closet. And Pam was also our giveaway winner here at the Boutique Hub when we ran a contest a few weeks ago asking what do you want to hear of on the show and would you be our guest expert? Pam was the perfect person for this because today we're going to dive deep into what it's been like for her to start her business. How she's grown organically with word of mouth and vendor pop up events, how she's really used collaborations to her advantage and, and now all the way working until her one year anniversary, which is right around the corner. How is she going to celebrate and how is she going to continue her workflow going forward? Now Pam's story is also really unique because she is also a teacher working full time and operating her business. And I know that resonates with so many of you trying to juggle two careers while you grow your business on the side until the point where your business can fully take over. So without further ado, this week's episode is awesome. I am so excited that Pam was our guest giveaway winner.

Thank you.

Because her story is excellent. Meet my friend, Pam Colon, the owner and founder of Muted Closet. Let's talk about your business strategy and the juicy details of what actually works. From mainstream fashion to fashion on Main street and the entire ecosystem behind it. How do we scale your company and do it with the balance and the happiness that we all seek? Let's hear from those insiders, experts and strategists that actually make it happen. I'm your host, Ashley Alderson for the Boutique Hub and I can't wait to chat. All right. Hey guys. Welcome back. I have a very special guest today. Pam, I'm so happy that you're here. I don't know if everyone listening remembers, but we had a contest a couple weeks ago about submitting your ideas for the podcast and we had a guest interview giveaway. And Pam, you had such great answers on Things that you wanted to talk about and your own experience and journey owning a boutique. And so you are our guest winner. Congrats on being here today.

Yeah. Thank you for having me. I'm really excited because even before, like, the giveaway thing, I was like, I would love to be just a guest on the podcast, but I'm not, obviously, this big, big boutique. So it was perfect. And I'm so happy that I won the giveaway, so it's exciting.

I'm excited, too. And I love that you said that, because I get that feedback once in a while. People are like, hey, can you just have a new boutique? Like, I. A lot of times have stories that have been around so that we can hear their lessons they've learned over time. But there's also so much value in just learning from. Hey, I'm right in the thick of figuring it out. It's my first year. Here's what I've learned so far, here's what I wish I would have known, and here's where we're headed. So I love that you and I are going to get to talk about all that today.

Me too.

Perfect. All right, so on that note, give us the backstory. What made you want to start a boutique, and how did you get to this point? Point so far?

Yeah. So I've always wanted to start one since I was little, but it was always just, like, a thought, and I was like, you know, I'm never gonna do it because it's this and that, and it's kind of like, in my head, it was impossible. And then one day, it was really weird. I was sleeping. I Woke up at 4am the name came to my mind. Everything came to my mind. Then that same day, I could not sleep. I started doing all the fun business, financial stuff, getting the tax idea and everything. Um, but it's something I've always wanted to do. The only thing that was holding me back really, was just. Just being scared of, like, failure. And what if this happens? What if that happens? But I was like, I can't live my life like that forever, because then I'll never be happy. But I'm excited because it's been. Obviously, you know, it's a roller coaster. There's some times that are really amazing, and there's some times, obviously, where I have to, like, sit back and reevaluate everything, but I'm happy I made the decision.

That's so good. Do you feel like once you made that decision and you started to put the pieces together, that right away you had support. Like, you had a great system around you and people that were like, yes, let's do it. And that helped you overcome some of that fear right off the bat.

I think that definitely helped me. My family, friends, boyfriend, even the local Rochester community was so supportive. Even other local businesses on Instagram and Facebook were reaching out. We're buying stuff. We. Which was super nice because I did not expect that much support just starting off. But I feel like if I did not have that support, it would be really hard for me to just to keep on going. So I feel like having that strong community is really helping me and having those positive models around me.

I love that. Tell me more about the setup of your business. So you're in Rochester, New York, but you're also. You're working full time and you're starting this business. Tell me about, like, what that all looks like.

Yes. So I've been teaching for five years. I teach third grade, special ed, bilingual. So it's fun. There's never a dull moment. I love it. And I'm also, you know, I was like, I need to do something else. I opened up my boutique, my online boutique. And when I opened it, I did it over the summer, so I was not working. So I was like, you know, I'll see how it goes. Obviously, in the summertime, I was working on it day and night, day and night. And then once I started to work full time again, it was kind of a huge transition. Like, I know getting home from work, I'd go in there like seven, get out at 4:30. The last thing I wanted to do is take pictures and do this and do that. And I'm just like. So I really had to, like, sit down and think to myself, like, I'm going to put at least on Wednesdays, two hours to focus on this, an hour to focus on this. And I feel like giving myself those times really helped me because otherwise I was just, you know, I don't really want to take a picture. I don't want to do that. I don't want to do this because I'm tired. But having those times really helped me out. So that's helpful.

So I first, I love that you're a teacher. There's lots of teachers in the boutique community or former teachers in the boutique community. So I. So many similarities. How else did you feel like you had to set boundaries or set a schedule so that you knew you were able to accomplish everything you needed to?

I did have to set a lot of boundaries because at first I found myself, you Know, just. It can be mentally draining. Like, I. Very mentally draining. And I was like, you know, there's. I'm doing something wrong because I'm on Instagram online 10 hours trying to figure stuff out. I'm like, but what am I doing? So I. That's why I joined Boutique Hub, because I needed some guidance, because I was completely lost. All I pretty much knew was, you know, I'll buy some clothes, I'll do this. And obviously it's a lot more than that. So I'm thankful I joined Boutique Hub, because even the Facebook community there is very helpful. I learned so much through there and through, like, the little podcast and through a little retail boot camp and stuff like that, that really helps out a lot. So I love it.

Well, thank you for that.

I wasn't expecting you to say that.

But I appreciate it. And that's. That's the goal, right? To make your life easier and to feel like you have steps to follow and you aren't just trying to figure it out on your own. And you're in a community that you trust. That's absolutely been there before. One thing, when you and I were talking earlier, you were talking about just the importance of community over competition and what that's meant in this process for you so far. Tell me how you into that and, like, what shifts that's made for you.

Yeah, so when I first started, obviously I knew it was going to be, you know, it takes time. I obviously knew that part. But I started comparing myself to, you know, companies like Pink Lily and others. Other companies and this and that, and even some local companies that are doing super well. But then I found myself. I was looking more at their stuff and just kind of making myself feel upset. Like, I was like, look how beautiful this store is. Why? You know, why this, why that? But it was kind of like a mind shift. I really had to say. Like, I'm spending all that negative energy and it's mentally draining to me. So I kind of started looking at it in a positive way. Like, what is this business doing that's attracting so many customers? And it honestly is exciting seeing what other boutiques are doing now because you get so many ideas. And I have a friend who opened up a boutique as well online. So we're kind of like each other's support system. So obviously, you know, we're supporting each other because it's just a lot easier to get through, you know, business doing that. You feel better, your mind feels better, you feel happier. Because if you're comparing yourself, it was the most mentally draining thing. So I had to really do that mind shift and I'm happy I did because if I didn't, I feel like I would needed closet wouldn't be around anymore, honestly. Because it really is a mental thing.

Yeah, it is. It's really the difference in looking at someone and rather than saying look at where they are, how come I'm not there yet? And instead looking at them and saying, oh my gosh, look at where they are. Look at what I know is possible and I can do it too. And that's such a different feeling at the end of the day. So I love that, you know, you recognize that in yourself, but you also have someone to help hold you accountable to that mindset. Because man, I mean there's ups and downs and no immune to facing them. We're all going to go through the ups and the downs and you have to be able to maintain throughout for sure. Right. All right, so let's talk a little bit more about just also maintaining that mindset. When you're tired and when you're still trying to work full time and run the boutique. Are there other like systems or processes or have you been able to reach out and ask for help with others, like maybe part time staff or friends to help you in your boutique as well?

Yeah. So honestly, this, you're gonna be like, she's just saying it cause she's on this show. But listening to your podcast had been very inspir only because I found myself that when I am in one of those moods where I'm just like, what am I doing wrong? Even listening to something kind of makes my mood have a little bit more hope. It's kind of funny to explain, but it makes me feel better. And I also tried to, you know, I had to really reflect and sit back and you know, really think about the long term instead of just looking at it. Oh, where am I now? Um, it's kind of more envisioning like, okay, what could it be five years from now? It could be this, it could be that. Because obviously in life there's so many ups and downs that it's just so unpredictable and working full time and with that can be super stressful. Um, so I. Yeah, yeah, it's all like mindset and just having like a routine. Like I said, like I'm trying to get myself accountable. My goal is to work out more because it helps. I've only done it once in the past three months, but we're going to get there. So, you know, doing stuff like that that relaxes my mind and that way I can focus and use that positive energy towards my business and work and all that stuff.

Yeah, I love that. Have you started like when you think about theme days in your business, like where there are certain days you're doing X, Y and Z so that you can balance both working and running the boutique at the same time and you can still get the most important things done.

Yeah, so I forgot which boutique I was looking at. It was so long ago. But other ones do it as well. Um, they have set days for different things. So for example there was I starting a throwback Thursday. So one of my old inventories I would post on Thursday if I still have it in stock. I try doing giveaways at least once a month only because it can, you know, it can generate new, a new audience, new, you know, new people to look at your stuff. I've been doing these dashes as well online and that helps a lot, a lot with like my old inventory. And I feel like the biggest thing too is I told myself I'm going to give myself 30 minutes on this day, let's say it's Wednesday to interact with other people on social media. Whether it's liking their picture commenting and not people like I particularly know but people that are like in that area, you know, just kind of making those connections with like local community, with other people. I feel like that setting those times has really helped a lot.

Yeah, that is helpful. How else I know you are a mobile boutique, like you do pop ups and vendor events. How else in your first year of business have you really worked on getting the word out about your business?

Yeah, so it's funny you say that because I, when I was in school I was such a pro private person, I would not talk. So for me having to get my name out there was really awkward because I'm super quiet. Well, not anymore. But I was super quiet to myself and I'm like I don't want to sound salesy, I don't want to be like those people who are doing hey buy this by that I don't want to turn anyone off. So it was really hard for me. So I really had to be like if I don't market myself nothing's going to happen. So I feel like I, you know, with time I got a lot more comfortable. So I feel like a lot of it too. Like I said, I do as many pop ups and vending shows as I can teaming up with local businesses and I also try to as well if there's local Giveaways, I enter in those and I do community events. So for example, I'm doing Rochester Fashion Week within a few weeks. And it's an organization, so all that money is going to go towards a charity. And it's a huge event here in Rochester. So I'm really excited to do that. So I feel like a lot of it is just like building, you know, those relationships because I've met some people at my vending shows that honestly have been the best customers ever. So, like forming those relationships are so important. But yeah, I like doing that. And I have these little business cards and if I see like a store or not, not a store, like a bakery or a local restaurant, some of them have like a little table where they have other places, you know, put their business card. I always keep some in like a little stack and I like, I'll put them there. But yeah, you know, it's a lot about, you know, just trying to work really hard getting your name out there, especially being online, because it's hard because, you know, online, you know, people want to try stuff on. They want to, you know, yeah, does this fit? Does this not fit? So that's kind of like one of the disadvantages of being online that you really. They don't get to try stuff on, but it's online and everyone likes online shopping, so you don't have to leave. So I'm still working around that and I want to continue doing more local stuff and getting my name out there more and more.

Absolutely. Do you find, like, I'm sure with all the vendor events and pop ups that you've done, you found ways to streamline that process. So what are some quick tips you wish you would have known earlier when starting vendor events and pop ups to make the experience so much better?

Okay, so my first one, it was a learning experience. So I, I was like, you know, I'll just have a rack of clothes and I'll do this, I'll do that. I got my little square thing, which is great. I was excited. But then I was at the vending event and I was like, I don't have bags, I don't have cash and I don't even have the prices on anything. So I was freaking out. I told my boyfriend, I was like, you need to go somewhere, you need to get some bags. And I was like, get white bags because they're neutral. He got me these pink, blue, orange bags. I was like, okay. And after that I was just like, I need to figure this out because it was so stressful. And luckily that event there, it was very like, you know, mellow. There weren't that many people. It was a good learning thing and everyone else was really great over there. And I guess what has really helped me is obviously you learn something new with every single one you go to. I try to do a checklist of everything that I need, make sure I have everything, obviously, you know, bags, cards. I feel like cards are really important because the amount of people that ask you for your information, if they're not buying, it's crazy. And then also this has really helped me a lot. It's super random, but I found it having like a little stack of like claw clip clips or hair stuff really attracts people because I've noticed that every time I have like a little pop up and I have those things there to just kind of catch their eye, I get a lot of traffic. But yeah, I guess it's really just like plain planning and not the night before, like three, four days before. And getting everything in boxes, your clothes or racks, putting prices on stuff, which is super important, Charging your phone, doing this. I feel like you learn something new every single time.

That's so true. Have you built yourself? I'm sure, like just a checklist to make your life easier. Like check, check, check, I'm ready to go.

I've got all these things, otherwise I'd be like, what am I going to forget today? So it's gotten a lot better, luckily. So now I feel like I feel great, I feel confident. So I guess it's just having everything prepared, like everything that you know, you need. And I would do it three and four days in advance because that way you, you know, the next day you may wake up and be like, oh wait, I need this too, I need that. So that way any last minute things you.