Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichole Ogburn.
Nichole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I would love to start by saying that entrepreneurship has always been a dream of mine, but I cannot. I would love to tell you that I’ve always dreamed of having a successful handbag business, but that wouldn’t be true.
At the age of 18, I became a teen mother and felt as if I had no other option but to stay home and get a dead-end job. Through the help and support of family, I was able to graduate from Mississippi State University in 2000 with a degree in Business. At age 25, I married and had two more children. The marriage ended in 2009, and there I was—a divorced mom of three. It was then that I resolved that I did not want to become another statistic.
I decided to reinvent myself physically and emotionally, so I changed my physical appearance and mindset. I am living proof that a pair of high heels can change your life! I set goals to own a home, be financially stable, and find love again. To do this, I began finding ways to earn extra money by making brownie baskets and writing resumes to pay down my debt. Others saw this as the start of being a businesswoman; I saw it as keeping my head above water. Two years later, I became a homeowner, had a little money in the bank, and met my now husband Tony (yes, the same year!)
Fast forward to July 2019, I had an idea to start selling handbags from an article I read online. I’m not much of a salesperson, but I went for it. I ordered five bags and decided to test my selling skills with coworkers. I sold all five bags in less than 30 minutes! I tried again the next week and had the same result. It was there where Perfect Purse Collection was born, an online and Pop Up Boutique. Women are always looking for that Perfect Purse to complete their look, so I felt this was an ideal business for me. I then launched Perfect Purse to social media outlets, with my 12-year-old daughter as my photographer. The outpour of support (and orders) was nothing short of amazing!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road, but my biggest challenge was also my greatest blessing—GROWTH!!! I underestimated how fast my business would grow. Each challenge presented me with an opportunity to learn and develop. I’ve had to learn how to quickly manage my inventory, design a website, and handle the shipping to meet & exceed demand.
This business has also pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am an introvert by nature, so talking to people wasn’t a strong suit of mine. Because of this opportunity, I’ve done speaking engagements, made connections with powerful women of Atlanta, and most importantly, learned how to get out of my way.
Please tell us about your business.
Perfect Purse Collection offers a variety of unique and affordable Vegan Leather Statement Handbags. Vegan Leather consists of innovative and sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic and cork instead of animal skins. Our Designer-Inspired handbags give the high-end look without the hefty price tag!
Perfect Purse’s goal is to breakdown the traditional way of thinking and encourage women to be unapologetically bold when wearing a statement handbag. As a company, we’re most proud of empowering women to throw out the notion of what other people think and express individuality! I am constantly on the hunt for unique bags that cannot be found in a retail store.
Since I am a lover of fashion, what sets us apart from others is that we show you the entire look. You don’t just see a bag. You will see the outfit, the shoes, the accessories, and of course, the purse. Our clients can visualize themselves wearing the bag and tailor it to their style. I also collaborate with other small businesses that sell apparel and accessories by tagging them in photos to gain exposure to potential customers.
In this industry, you must constantly evolve to keep up with the latest trends and designs. I am now in the process of designing my handbag creation so that my name will be synonymous with the established brands in the business!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment was when I realized that I could use my platform to show women, especially single mothers, that while raising children on your own can potentially slow down your dream, it doesn’t mean you should stop pursuing it.
Women have told me on several occasions that carrying one of my bags made them feel more confident, and they change their outfit just to match my purse! My biggest blessing from this business is not about revenue, but women sharing how they felt empowered to transform their stories because of my testimony.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.perfectpursecollection.com
- Phone: 470-326-0608
- Email: perfectpurse@move-fwd.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/perfectpursecollection
- Facebook: facebook.com/perfectpursecollection
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