Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanelle Butler.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The motto behind my business is to be that “go-to” boutique for individuals of any and all walks of life and be their “Sandals” of inclusivity, affordability, and self-love. “In My Own Lane” LLC began before the name was even solidified! I was always into dressing up and being so excited when I could put on my prettiest dress and go to an event or during that time is was mainly church. My affection for fashion began in high school while attending vocational school for Design and eventually moving into starting my own business from a hobby that I wanted to make a career out of! The business began in 2019 which still working in corporate America. We pride ourselves in accepting people for who they are and dressing and styling them according to their ultimate needs and wants essentially. In My Own Lane Boutique is here to bridge the gap and void of not being “accepted”. We love to market and bring on apparel that isn’t your norm but excites the client. When you walk in a room, heads are sure to turn from your fashionable element and demand that you command when wearing our brand.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has NOT been smooth sailing with being an entrepreneur. The biggest challenge is being financially stable and independent when your business is the only source of income for your household. Some of the struggles that I encountered were time management, financial planning, and business development with little resources as a CEO. Also, retaining customers and being a marketable brand during the pandemic was definitely difficult and caused me to go through a pivoting process as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to encourage others to love themselves and express it through wardrobe styling. I am most proud of my journey of steadfast determination that can be accredited to watching how my parents have always worked so hard to make the life of myself and my siblings was that much easier to tread. I am so excited to begin making a difference in the world and with my clients by allowing them to elevate within through self-love, self – confidence, and self–assurance. My journey can be attributed to moving how it did because I was raised to work hard and started in Corporate America, that gave me structure and the ability to increase my networking skills. This was not an easy trail of success as there were many downhill tribulations and uphill triumphs that were meant to stunt my growth, but with God, all things are possible and accessible. The lessons I have learned along the way are being consistent, staying humble, being true to yourself, and never giving up hope. Being kind, thankful, and resourceful are some skillsets I have acquired that are fully transferable in this industry. I want the world to know that my brand is here to bridge the gap and void of not being “accepted” and here to take your fashion to the next level.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I would like to first give all praise and credit to God, who is the head of my life! Without my Faith, Religion, and Spiritual background this journey would have been that much harder to embark on and made a lot more difficult. Keeping God first in my life has definitely assisted with the uphills and tribulations that come with being a business owner. I wish I knew starting out that being financially independent would be a huge benefit to starting and owning a business and saving more to be able to fluctuate with the changes in the market and the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: Inmyownlanellc.com
- Instagram: @thestylistnelly / @inmyownlaneboutique
Image Credits
Image Credits Credits: BabyGIllusions – NYC based Photogragher:
