How Happy Valley Boutique Came to Be:
Happy Valley Boutique was a dream come true.
I had just settled into my State College apartment and was eager to explore while the warm weather lasted. With classes starting in just a week, this was the perfect time for some back-to-school shopping. There are hundreds of restaurants, bars, and shops downtown. I did not think twice about finding multiple clothing stores to explore through.
After countless hours of searching, it had resulted in nothing but empty-handedness. I came across only three different stores, but none of them seemed to have what I was desperately looking for. Urban Outfitters was a little too impractical for everyday wear. Lock boutique was way too upscale and fancy. Lastly, Connections Boutique only had going out clothing for the most part. Not one store offered cute, comfortable clothing suitable for class, library study sessions, or for coffee runs. How could this be?
Frustrated and discouraged, I returned to my apartment and attempted to order clothes online. After roaming through my favorite online stores, I picked out a few outfits, proceeded to the check out screen and froze… The delivery fees were outrageous and they estimated it would take over 4 weeks to ship the clothing. I thought to myself, “This is ridiculous, I am not paying this much!” Between the inconvenience of online shopping and the limited amount of stores downtown, I felt that I had no options.
My Realization:
Until one morning, I had an epiphany while making my way to class. Why not create my own clothing store downtown? There were so many spaces for rent and I am also pursuing a degree in marketing and entrepreneurship. Always wanting to create something of my own, this would be the perfect opportunity to turn my passion into a reality.
I knew that creating a clothing store would be beneficial to so many students that felt the same way. After hours of watching videos, analyzing statistics, and surveying students to understand what their fashion needs were. With the help of my family and professors I was able to learn about running a small retail business and slowly put the pieces together.
I named the store Happy Valley Boutique, which focused on providing clothing basics, including sweatpants, sweatshirts, and t-shirts that students can use in a variety of ways to create the perfect look while being cozy and productive. I continuously worked on building my business to align with the needs of all students on campus.
After a year of effort, Happy Valley Boutique opened, becoming a shopping destination for everyone. I felt so accomplished and proud that I channeled my frustrations into an idea that solved the needs of others. Happy Valley Boutique became a place for socialization, shopping, and de-stressing for everyone: exactly what I envisioned.
