A.R.T. Boutique, LLC | Application Preview
A.R.T. Boutique, LLC is seeking government grants to enhance its business operations and outreach. The funding will be used primarily to purchase inventory in bulk, enabling the boutique to offer new merchandise seasonally and build its customer base, which currently lacks awareness of the store. The funds will also support marketing efforts through USPS’s Every Door Direct service and allow for updates to signage that reflects the brand's identity.
The business intends to expand with additional locations across the state and create charity events to support children with special needs and orphans, both domestically and internationally. As the boutique grows, it plans to contribute more significantly to local charities, schools, and other community initiatives.
The owner has nearly 20 years of experience but has faced challenges after relocating from Baton Rouge to Ascension Parish due to high competition. Initial self-funding lasted six months, after which personal circumstances required the owner to draw a salary, limiting the ability to invest in new inventory.
A.R.T. Boutique aims to empower women and girls, providing a supportive environment that encourages creativity and confidence. The inclusive approach to sizing and private consultations sets it apart, along with its dedication to exceptional customer service. The owner emphasizes that the boutique goes beyond selling clothing, aiming to uplift women and foster a sense of belonging. Competitive boutiques include Virgo Boutique, Magnolia Boutique, and Meraki Boutique, yet the owner asserts that unmatched customer service is their key competitive advantage. The store promotes itself as a space for retail therapy, as reflected in positive customer reviews.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: A.R.T. Boutique, LLC
Location: Prairieville, LA, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
This will give us the opportunity to purchase inventory in bulk to get through the Seasons with new merchandise in rotation while our customer base learns that we are here. We also intend to use Every Door Direct through USPS to let everyone know we are here. So many people do not know we exist, yet. We need to update the building and roadside signs to reflect our logo, as well. This working capital will put us in a position to advertise in a variety of effective ways in which we cannot with such limited income.
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Business Plan
We would like to open several additional locations throughout the state. We plan to launch a charity event to address and support children with special needs as well as orphans in the United States and abroad. Growing our business will allow us to donate to local charities on a much larger scale. We want to support schools, other local businesses, battered woman's shelter and so many other worthy causes that we are not able to reach while we are little known. I have been in this business for almost 20 years. I originally planned to open my store in Baton Rouge because that is where my main customer base has been. That market was far too saturated and competitive and I no longer live in EBR. Instead, I launched in Ascension Parish and am trying to make my mark here. My husband and I self funded and that's lasted us the first six months. We are a family of 7, and I had to start paying myself to ensure we would not lose our home. That has taken a toll on my ability to infuse new product in at the rate I did with our start-up capital. This business is set up to empower women and girls. It's meant to make them feel strong and armed and beautiful. That may seem small, but coming from a woman who has seen what this world can do, how it can divide us and make us question everything about ourselves...it's a very big thing. I want to give women a safe place to be conservative, creative, bold, relaxed and nourished. This can all be done in the safe space of a well intended boutique. We are all inclusive with our sizing and price point. We have a kiddie area so our mama's can bring their little ones without the stress of feeling like the kids are out of place. We extend our business hours for private consultations for women who feel uncomfortable in a "group" setting when they try on. We have so many big dreams and worthy goals for our business, if we can just GET THERE!
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Self Identified Competition
Virgo Boutique Magnolia Boutique Meraki Boutique My customer service is, and has always been, UNMATCHED. I didn't start a store to be like everyone else. I started this store to support my family, and to nurture the minds and confidence of women. We are fragile and easily convinced we are not good enough. This store makes EVERY woman feel like her most special self. We do so much more than just sell clothes. It's why our name is what it is... A Retail Therapy Boutique. Please, I implore you to read our Google reviews.
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Contact Applicant
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