Today we’d like to introduce you to Precious A Crawford.
Precious, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Purpose By Design Fashion Boutique opened on July 21st, 2012 as a High End Resale Boutique in Chicago, Illinois. During the course of our journey we carried Resale Clothing, Shoes, Handbags, Jewelry & Accessories for Men, Women & Children of all ages & sizes. In our first month we added a Handmade Jewelry & Accessories Line (C’est La Vie), Crochet Gifts (Gifts by Tracia) and a Plus Size Women’s Clothing Line (Fearfully & Wonderfully Made). In March of 2014 we closed our physical doors & took our products online carrying only “One of a Kind” Handmade & Retail Jewelry & Accessories. In April of 2015 TreyceNekole, later changed to Precious’ Creative Essentials, was added as our Natural Body & Home Product Line. Our journey has been great as we continue to make partnerships, add products & connect with customers across the U.S.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been a few challenges that took place during this 6 year course of business. In our first year of business (2012) my family & I were displaced from our home due to a City Ordinance which caused the shutdown of our Apartment Building. This placed a major toll on myself & my family financially, mentally & emotionally. We had just opened our Boutique on Chicago’s Northside & then had to relocate to Chicago’s Southside so that we would have a place to live. This made it hard to keep up with Boutique hours & meet the demands of customers. In March of 2014 we decided to take our boutique online which would relieve us of financial burden & stress. In August of 2014 the business slowed & I had to begin looking for a full time job. This meant putting the business on a slight pause until I was able to financially build it up again. I worked as a Security Officer from January 2015 to August 2016. I left my Security Job to be at home with my family, grow my business, start back to writing & work on my health. In January of 2017 I was involved in an accident that left me with a Torn Meniscus & 2 Bulging Discs. After Knee Surgery & 3 Back Injections along with Physical Therapy I got Back to the Basics. This has been a roller coaster of events these last 6 years but there’s been so much I’ve learned about branding, marketing, advertising & how strong I am in the midst of it all. I’ve met quite a bit of people that have supported & encouraged me along the way. I am very grateful for it all & look forward to the many opportunities that are ahead.
Please tell us about Purpose By Design Fashion Boutique.
We’re an online boutique that carries; Handmade Jewelry & Accessories, Natural Body & Home Products and Plus Size Fashions for Women size 12-24. We’re mostly known for our Natural Body & Home Products Line, Precious’ Creative Essentials. Through this line we create Bath Salts, Body Scrubs, Bath Bombs, Soy Candles & more by using Natural Based Material such as Essential Oils & Carrier Oils (Olive Oil, Coconut Oil etc.). Our goal is to provide products that are naturally based that help relieve aches & pains in the body, mental stimulation & great scents. I’m most proud of our Natural Body & Home Product Line because there’s a need for Natural Healing Products because so many are looking for Natural ways to come off of medication & provide mental stability.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had a chance to start over I would do more research on how to manage & grow a business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pbydfashionboutique.com
- Phone: 773.850.1872
- Email: pbydfashionboutique@gmail.com
- Instagram: pbydfashion
- Facebook: pbydfashionboutique
- Twitter: PBYDFASHION
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
