Community Highlights: Meet Ginger Howard of Ginger Howard Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger Howard.

Hi Ginger, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have played dress up since I was a little girl. I wore hats and gloves to church. My mother and grandmother were extremely stylish women. I used to play store with my best friend, and we would hang clothes in her canopy and put prices on them. In the 8th grade, my boyfriend’s father had a ladies’ clothing store and I worked during Christmas to wrap presents. I got the fashion bug and it never left me. I worked in a store in high school, where I then worked Saturdays and summers and learned about fashion merchandising. I went to the University of Georgia and got my bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising.

In college, I worked in a little boutique owned by two women called JJ’s. I loved them and the customers so much I knew I would own my own store and model it after JJ’s. After college, one of the owners was expecting and asked me to stay and be a manager, so I stayed and managed in Athens. After a year, I was ready to leave Athens and moved to DC on a dare! I wanted to get a job in politics. Unfortunately, it was hard to get a job being that it was an election year; it was especially hard being that I only had fashion experience. I landed an amazing job in an exclusive boutique in Alexandria. It was very exclusive and dressed many First Ladies. In a few short months, I became a manager for them. I started going to New York once a month and learned to buy.

Meanwhile, I was homesick for the South. The owner of JJ’s called, expecting again! I said okay, but only for a few months… seven years later, I then started going to New York for them and buying. Quickly, other stores started asking me to help buy for them. I then went to work for a man who had a buying office and bought for stores all over the South, while continuing to buy for JJ’s. After a couple of years, I started my own buying office at 27. I went to New York once a month and started buying.

I moved to Atlanta in 1996 and started a home show business, where I went around the Southeast showing clothes. In 2001, I opened Ginger Howard Selections on Peachtree Road. Our mission statement is to provide beautiful, quality ladies’ clothing with exceptional personal service in an environment that is inviting and fun.

After COVID, I contemplated leaving the retail world and going full-time into politics; however, my love for fashion wouldn’t let me go. I left the Peachtree Road location and started focusing on a new business model where I focus on my online sales and social media. I shortened my hours and changed my website. This April, Ginger Howard Selections is 25 years old, five years at our new location, and the new model has paid off. I am happy to say the online business doubles the store. My goal is to continue to grow our online business, and I believe my business is a ministry that is glorifying to God and helps women dress modestly and bring glory to God.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We had a few bumps, such as 9/11, the crash of 2008, which nearly did the store in, and then COVID in 2020. Each season brought uncertainty and challenges, but also deepened my faith and reliance on God’s provision.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the founder and owner of Ginger Howard Company, a women’s clothing business built on faith, personal service, and timeless style. I have spent over 30 years in the fashion industry as a retailer, buyer, and entrepreneur. In 2001, I opened Ginger Howard Selections on Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Our mission is to provide beautiful, quality women’s clothing with exceptional personal service in an environment that is inviting and fun!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have also had the honor of co-authoring a book with Alveda King, an experience that allowed me to use my voice beyond fashion and step into meaningful conversations. In addition to my love for fashion, I am a great dancer, and dancing has always been another joyful form of self-expression for me one that brings energy, confidence, and creativity into every area of my life.

Pricing:

• moderate to high end

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gingerhowardselections.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingerhowardselections/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gingerhowardselections