Founder: Maddie Flowers, 24
Business: L’Avenue Boutique
What it does: A European-style online boutique
Founded: July 2020
No. employees: One
Website: lavenueboutique.com
Twitter: n/a
LinkedIn: n/a
Instagram: @lavenuebtq
Without even trying, Maddie Flowers’ English setter, Winston, has become the unofficial face of her online store, L’Avenue Boutique.
Her followers love to see pictures and videos of Winston on L’Avenue Boutique’s Instagram account, and Flowers believes this is because it makes the boutique more personable and authentic.
Flowers, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), is all about selling the personalized boutique experience online. She is always present as the owner, answering customer messages at all hours of the day, and is very active on social media, posting not only about Winston but about her life and products as well.
Attending FIT allowed Flowers to learn how to buy products in bulk and appropriately sell them as well as how to spot trends and establish her own brand. While in school, she interned in the French luxury fashion field and gained the eye for European fashion that guides L’Avenue Boutique.
The dedicated storytelling and personal touch differentiate L’Avenue Boutique from other online retailers. Flowers engages customers by providing stories behind each product. Recently, Flowers even traveled to Sicily to photograph her fall collection and tied the places of Sicily into her collection through descriptions and product names.
One year in, L’Avenue Boutique has brought in roughly $50,000 in revenues and is working its way up to its thousandth customer. Most of L’Avenue Boutique’s loyal customers hail from the Triad, as well as Texas and California.
Although an online boutique with no current plans for a storefront, Flowers makes it a point to get involved in the community, doing local pop-ups, participating in local markets, and partnering with other small businesses such as Wanderlust Boards and Baklava & More. Flowers credits the Triad, with its 'shop local' attitude, with her success so far.
In year two of her business, Flowers aims to grow L’Avenue Boutique’s online presence through enhancing her website in terms of search engine optimization and other online standards. In addition, she is in the process of sourcing new clothes from Europe and forming a network of female-owned small businesses in the Triad.
How or where do you like to connect with like-minded innovators?
One of the best opportunities to connect with like-minded innovators is at local business markets. We are very fortunate to live in an area where the community supports local businesses and provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to become successful through small-business markets in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, and more. By attending these markets, I have met and connected with so many like-minded innovators and learned more about their businesses and how they are successful as an entrepreneur in the Triad. Social media has also been a great place to connect. I have connected with many like-minded innovators through Instagram, and it has become a very supportive environment.
How would you rate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triad?
I say this often, but I wouldn't have the success I have today without the support of local businesses and entrepreneurs the Triad offers. I started my online business in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic with a lot of uncertainty on the response I would receive, but I was blown away and continue to be to this day by how much the Triad community supports local. Through local shopping markets, local bloggers, networking events, and more, I am truly grateful for the support I have and I rate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triad an 8/10.
What’s one way that it could be better?
As an entrepreneur, it is extremely important to network and be involved in your local community. I would love to see more of this in the Triad and I think it could be one way to grow and expand the entrepreneurial ecosystem. I am currently working on establishing a networking community of women-owned businesses in the Triad alongside a few amazing and inspiring female innovators and entrepreneurs. The goal of this community would be to establish long-lasting connections, a strong support system, networking opportunities, educational sessions, and more. I believe this could benefit the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triad, especially in regard to female-owned businesses.
How likely is it you will stay in and grow your business in the Triad?
As my business is online-focused and provides selling opportunities currently throughout the U.S. and Canada and potentially globally one day, I will always be thankful for the Triad community for providing the base to grow my businesses. The majority of my customers are based in the Triad and I believe that will only continue to grow in the future. The mindset of consumers in the Triad is truly special, as they really appreciate small business and the effort and work that goes into a one-woman-run show. While a storefront opportunity in the Triad may not be one of my main goals, I believe the innovation of online business can grow significantly in the Triad with the community's support and appreciation that I have witnessed thus far.
