Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Schwartz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Paige. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
1 Happy Girl was a dream I didn’t really know I wanted growing up. I always loved everything to do with clothes and styling being a signed model with Ford In high school, I enjoyed the back end of photoshoots more than being in front of the camera. On a birthday trip to California with my mom for my 18th birthday we were talking by the pool about what I wanted to do after high school, which I really had no clue. My mom suggested that I open up an online boutique which was a newer concept back then in 2008 and being 18 I thought she was crazy. But sleeping on the idea I woke up the next day and contacted a web designer and started ordering clothes. A little over a month later 1 Happy Girl was born in the guest room of my parents’ house. The website went up and I was getting sales from all over the country, it was honestly amazing. So I decided to stay home from college to grow the business. A friend owned a floral shop in downtown Lemont and she was moving to a bigger space and offered me up her unit to have an actual brick and mortar store. With another leap of faith I opened the doors a month later after plenty of 3 am nights building displays and ordering clothes. Since then we have opened 3 other locations throughout the suburbs and one in Saugatuck Michigan.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everyday has been a test to say the least, it has been an amazing experience but no business runs smoothly 100% of the time. We have been insanely lucky over the years in a time when boutiques come and go we have grown. But it is a 7 day a week, 24 hour kind of job. To be honest I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 1 Happy Girl Boutique – what should we know?
1 Happy Girl is a full service boutique for the free spirited. We offer head to toe styling, the best and most jewelry around along with gifts and home decor. I would say that our head to toe styling sets us apart, everyone who walks through the door can leave with an outfit regardless of age or body type.
We believe in boho style, lots of jewelry, layers of sweaters and dressed and always a good bootie with every outfit!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mother Dawn deserves a gold medal, for the idea, the push and being there every day as my support system when times get tough or overwhelming. I couldn’t have done any of it without her by my side. Also our amazing employees, they all have their strengths but each one is amazing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1421 East Lincoln Hwy New Lenox IL 60137
- Website: www.1happygirl.com
- Phone: 8158544638
- Email: paige@1happygirl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1happygirlboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1happygirlboutique
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/1Happy_Girl
Image Credit:
Image Icon Photography
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