Indie Wednesday: Talking with Barb Skupien of Embellish Boutique Getting to Know Independent Designers and Small Retailers

At the risk of sounding like a politician, small businesses are the backbone of America. Big business may look like they're running the show, but small businesses are the secret superstars. To shine a spotlight on the independent designers and small business owners that inspire me, I'm launching Indie Wednesdays. Each week I'll chat with a new designer, retailer or other small business owner to get a little insight into what it means to live the American Dream.

For my inaugural Indie Wednesday post I'm chatting with Barb Skupien, owner of Embellish Boutique in Chicago's Northcenter neighborhood. Barb is independent retailer who strongly supports up-and-coming and local designers. I first met Barb back in 2008, when she was first opening her accessories boutique. Five years later, Embellish has become a fixture of the Northcenter neighborhood. It has become the place to shop for unique bags, jewelry and other personal accessories, most of which comes from independent designers.

Name: Barb Skupien, owner of Embellish Boutique

When did you open your store? August 2008

What was the inspiration for opening the store? A little boutique had been a long time pipe dream of mine. I wanted to work for myself while still be able to travel. embellish is the end result.

What did you do before you started your business? Immediately before opening Embellish, my husband and I had just traveled for a year. I worked for a real estate management company while I prepared to open the store.

How do you discover new designers to carry in your store? I find designers many ways. I travel to industry trade shows several times a year, a customer will walk in and be carrying a great bag I've never seen and a lot of designers come to me. I've stopped a woman in the grocery store to ask her about a piece of jewelry she's wearing. I'm always looking!

Who is your biggest inspiration as a small business owner? I think I'm most inspired by other small business owners. Especially people like my neighbor, Nuri. He's been a tailor for 40 plus years, he raised his family above his shop, I love the whole story.

What are the advantages of supporting indie retailers? It's a long list but one the greatest advantages to shopping indie retail is that your money stays where you've spent it. In my case, because so many of my customers live in Northcenter, it truly stays in our community. Another advantage is that your purchase is often really unique and special. I don't order 100 of anything. I often order just one. And it's usually handmade by a real person who is making a real wage.

What’s your advice to someone launching a new retail business? Be prepared to work harder than you've ever worked before. Always go with your gut, whether it's your intuition about a shady customer or buying a new product for your store that you think is cool. My gut is always right. Hire someone to the things that you're not good at, for me it's book keeping. Still the best money I spend each month.

If an angel investor dropped $50,000 on you, how would you invest it in your business? I would knock down the wall between embellish and the office next door and open a home accessories store!

Check out Barb's store:

Embellish Boutique

4161 North Lincoln Avenue

Chicago, IL 60618

Thanks for chatting with Captain Dapper, Barb!

Images: Embellish Boutique