Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Hanson.
Hi Andrea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I taught high school math for 12 years and although I adored that job, God was pulling my heart in a very different direction.
I left the classroom to pursue my network marketing business, that I had just started 9 months earlier, full time. During that first year away from school I decided to add a second business to my name. I opened an online clothing boutique. Selling clothing out of my basement via live sales on social media, I felt alive. I then began doing pop-ups in a local salon and also in my friends’ homes.
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve wanted to own a brick and mortar shop. During my high school years, I worked in small gift shops in downtown Red Wing. I fell in love with small business back then.
When I heard there would be an opening in downtown RW, I took the big leap to move into a permanent space. That was in the fall of 2018.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have no background in business so I’ve learned a lot along the way. Mistakes are truly just opportunities to learn something new.
Covid definitely has us trying to think outside the box. We had to completely close for 2 months, relying solely on our online sales. We were definitely grateful to reopen and stay open since that shut down. Our downtown truly rallied together during that time and we grew as a community through it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are a women’s clothing and accessories boutique. We specialize in helping all women sizes Small – 3XL walk out feeling beautiful. Our staff loves to help put outfits together for our customers and personalize the shopping experience. Not all boutiques carry inclusive sizing and we are proud of the fact that we do.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love personal development! Some of my favorite books are Everything is Figureoutable, You are a Badass, and Do The Work. Being an entrepreneur requires that you work your mental muscle constantly. If you don’t, your self-doubt will swallow you whole.
Contact Info:
- Email: Andrea@phileostyle.com
- Website: Phileostyle.com
- Instagram: @Phileostyle
- Facebook: Facebook.com/phileostyle
