Have you ever heard the saying, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” I have been thinking about that quote a lot lately. As a person, I don’t dramatically stand out from others. But it is in my nature to push against the norms of things. You can find me comfortably wearing black while everyone around me is in white. I have zero problem wearing jeans and a t-shirt to my son’s soccer game while all the other moms are wearing their athletic wear (not dissing athletic wear). I am learning to be comfortable in my own skin, my personal style and tastes. As far as style, I know I will always be just a tiny bit messy. Whether my hair is a little unkempt or my shoes are just a touch off with my outfit for the day. It is always something. I have learned throughout the years that the hardest part of being is accepting yourself for exactly who you are. And to quiet the self-criticisms regarding what everyone else is doing that you are not.

The same applies to running a boutique that does not look (or act) like the traditional boutique. We are quite literally the black sheep! Our walls are dark to give the ambience of warmth. All the metal and glass in the shop bring in an airy feeling. When I was designing the store, I did not follow retail guidelines. Every decision was made by how it personally felt to be in the space. Do I feel a sense of comfort in here? Do I feel drawn in? Is this authentic? The last question is the kicker. Are we being authentic. The answer is yes…but it is not easy being authentic. We are not the norm, and it feels like you are sitting on an island all by yourself at times. In down times, it is hard to not ask, “what is everyone else doing that we are not?” Doubt can creep in such as “should we cave and change?” What if we end up being this fantastic store that no one knew about? Can Billings accept a store that does not bow solely to current trends? Will it accept unique products from all over the globe and not just Montana? These questions bring an uneasy feeling. Lucky for me, I was able to meet up with another business owner this week that also has a business that is not considered the “norm”. Her knowledge and outlook on business and life helped me realize that I created BVTC for a reason, and I need to have confidence in that reason. She was like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel. It is not easy figuring out how to draw in your people…but I am confident we will.