I have been manager of Grant’s for Her for almost nine years and owner/manager since July of 2018. In the beginning, I depended heavily on dedication and hard work, and at night and on days off, I searched for ways to do more.
I quickly began advertising in magazines and online, producing ads that displayed my high-end clothing, jewelry and accessories, and I began using Facebook and Instagram to reach my growing list of customers. I offer free shipping to my out-of-town clients and my local clients if they can’t make it into the shop.
Grants for Her occupies a building that is part of Mary Mahoney’s Restaurant. I recognize the importance of displaying my wares attractively and creatively in windows, and I try to appeal to men and women. We have become one of the premier places where husbands and boyfriends shop, knowing that gifts from our boutique will make their loved ones happy.
My daughter, Shelby, is part owner of Grants for Her. She lives in Los Angeles and runs a fashion company that she owns, but we confer on many decisions. She travels with me to New York to carefully select our merchandise. This has been one of our lifelong dreams, owning a ladies’ boutique together where we can be creative and innovative while dressing the ladies of the Gulf Coast and beyond in the best brands and styles we can find. We love what we do, and I think that shows in the way we present ourselves — from the window displays to the shopping experience we offer our customers daily.
Special events and trunk shows are our bread and butter, making us who we are. We love inviting some of our favorite designers to the shop to meet our customers and share their stories and inspiration for their latest collections. Our designers come to Biloxi from New York, Italy, California, Texas and Tennessee to help Grants for Her present their unique, high-end clothing and jewelry to our Mississippi Gulf Coast customers.
Special events are a special way to mingle with our customers and offer a little something extra — refreshments, entertainment and a special gift. These events also allow us to support other local small businesses that supply catering, sweets, florals, etc. I strive to make my customer’s shopping experience a very personal one, keeping in mind it’s the little things that make a big difference.
Today, I rely on all of these strategies, but dedication and hard work — and a passion for fashion — are the fundamentals that enabled me to launch a small business nine years ago and succeed.
Sharon Weeks is owner/manager of Grant’s for Her in Biloxi. Reach her at sbweeks@aol.com.