Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Boone.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Since opening in September 2014 Dragonfly has established a reputation as one of Evanston’s most creative boutiques, providing a unique shopping experience for women’s fashion, jewelry and accessories. The shop also features original artwork, gifts, and decorative accessories for the home.
Dragonfly reflects the creative and eclectic background of its owner, Amy Boone. Amy is a native of Evanston, and has more than 20 years’ experience as a photography stylist, interior designer and retail entrepreneur. She is also a wife and mother of two children.
‘We understand that women today want to create a personal style that’s creative and right for them, without breaking the budget. Our customers are busy women, so they look for fashion that fits their lifestyle–at work, as a mother, and as an active person in their community. They want to express their own creativity and personality. At the same time they look for pieces that are versatile, great quality and a good value. We avoid trendy items that will be dated in one season.
‘Our labels include mod-o-doc, feather, wilt, groceries, tulip, prairie underground, skunk funk, bed stu bags, to mention a few. We love to support young, up and coming designers who are not found in large, chain stores.
We have some terrific jewelry designers like Marisa Mason, hila, original hardware, karna karna, anaj, and others.
We also carry original artwork from local artists, and decorative accessories and gifts for lots of occasions. Holidays are always fun at our shop, with unusual decorations.
We work to make Dragonfly a creative, fun shopping destination…and our customers tell us it is. So many have become good friends. We love it when they just stop by and chat. Being a neighborhood shop make it easy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Retail is not easy, but it can be fun and very rewarding. The key is to have a clear vision of who you are, and what you want your shop to be. You can’t be all things to all people. You have to offer something different and special. And you need to be a place where the customer feels appreciated. We work hard to do that. And I am blessed to have a team of ladies who feel the same way.
We try to make Dragonfly feel like a neighbor hood ‘club’ where you’re always welcome.
Things like lousy winter weather, or sidewalk closures and street work (which we’ve recently had) can make it tough. But you have to remain positive, because things will get better!
Dragonfly-df – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As I said above, we work to make Dragonfly a fun, creative shopping experience with merchandise that’s great quality, distinctive design, and great value. We love to delight customers with unexpected things they won’t find in big chain stores.
We love to support young and up and coming designers, both locally and elsewhere. We look for new vendors that meet our standards.
We have an active social media program…posting on Facebook almost daily. People love to see ‘what’s new’…..so I try to keep our postings fresh and current.
Holidays are special times of year for us. At Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, etc. We look for fun decorative items, as well as little gift ideas to add to the fun. We’ve developed relationships with some off-beat sources that you won’t find many places. That’s important we think.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is about many things. First of all, my most important goal is to be a successful wife and mother. My husband is a creative person…with a commercial photography business, that’s busy…and we have two active kids who are wonderful. Everything else is second. Finding time to do things together is really important.
My parents and brother also live in Chicago, and we see them often. They are very supportive of my family and Dragonfly. I’m blessed to have them nearby.
In terms of success at Dragonfly, it’s important that our customers enjoy shopping here, feel appreciated, and love what they find here. I have a terrific team of ladies who make that happen. And we work hard to find new vendors and sources to keep the shop from being predictable or boring.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dragonfly-df
1501a Chicago Avenue
(between Grove and Davis)
Evanston, IL 60201 - Website: www.dragonfly-df.com
- Phone: 847-733-0613
- Email: dragonflydecor@sbcglobal.net
Image Credit:
Photo of Amy: Annette Patko
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