Today we’d like to introduce you to Uylee Dennis.
Hi Uylee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
All my life I have had an entrepreneur personality. My paternal aunts all built their own businesses, and were very hard workers in building companies that they could pass on to their children. I believe I inherited the entrepreneurial spirit through DNA because it has been there since I was a young child. I recall laying in bed as a 10-year-old trying to contemplate how I could build my own brand.
I always sold things as a hobby, it has been something I’ve always enjoyed. However, I never expected to turn it into an actual business. When my health took a turn for the worse, and I was medically retired from my corporate job, I thought perhaps this is the time to pursue my passion! I investigated the process of all the legalities of starting my own business. It did take time to get set up. But finally, we were up and running. And as of now, we have become an international online shop that I thoroughly enjoy, and I look forward to passing the business onto my beautiful granddaughter one day.
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?
Nothing worth having is ever a smooth road. If it’s worth having, there is going to be genuine hard work.
My first hurdle was literally, how do I turn my ideas into an actual business. I had all these ideas rolling around in my mind. But how do I put them into existence?
I was not a Business Major, so I had to take many courses to get a better understanding on how to run a business. The first year I had to learn all about business taxes, which was new to me. However, with much research and assistance, I was able to get it organized and better understand the process. Then there were all the legalities of trademarks, licenses in my state, my county, and my city. Each has a different law that I needed to familiarize myself with. Then there were selling permits and much more to ensure I was running a legal business and obeying all of the government requirements. Learning the entire business tax process was a challenge. What is considered a write off, what is not considered a write-off. Keeping good records of purchases and expenses. It took me a couple of years to learn how to better streamline the process.
All I wanted to do was sell pretty clothing. But running a business is much much more than that. The behind-the-scenes work is very important and can be time-consuming, but it must be done correctly. That was my initial struggle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Because we are a “Boutique” as opposed to a large box chain store, we are able to get to know our Customers on a personal level, and I love this! It creates relationships, rapport, and loyalty in Customers that return again and again and that even refer our Shop to their family and friends. My motto is, “We own the Business, but our Customers are the Employer.” We work to make our customers happy. Without THEM, there is no US. Hence, it’s important to my brand that they have an exciting experience from beginning to end. It’s not just a regular “pay for a product, get your product, and never hear from us again.” We follow up with each and every Customer to inquire how they felt about their order and whether they need additional assistance. Our customer service DOES NOT end after the purchase.
Something else we do is that we always provide free gifts in our Customer packages. Many times they receive our personalized pens, oriental pouches, earrings, tie pins, notebooks, bracelets, rings, perfume, necklaces, facial cream, and more. It’s important to me that there are ALWAYS free gifts sent with EVERY order. We also take the time to write a personal hand written thank you card to include in each order. If available, we try to find a free gift that will coordinate with their purchase.
I’m very proud of our varied selection in sizes and styles. I always say that beauty comes in all beautiful shapes and curves. So our dresses range in sizes from a US Size 0 to a US size 32. We are very proud of that! It’s important to us that all women are able to feel beautiful! And if a young beautiful lady would like a size larger than a 32, we will work with her to find what she’s searching for. That type of personal attention can only be obtained through a boutique.
We have also assisted single fathers raising girls to find the correct dresses for their growing daughters. It’s not always easy for Dad to know what to get. It’s been a joy helping these fathers. I truly enjoy what I do.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The most important thing to me is being able to help in my community in any way I can. During the month of October, we have a breast cancer awareness campaign. We ship out free stylish head wraps to any young woman undergoing chemotherapy. She has a choice to look through our selection and choose the item she likes. It is shipped to her immediately 100% free, no charge for the wrap and no charge for postage. And though I feel these young ladies look just BEAUTIFUL as they are, We have learned that when a woman initially begins to lose her hair at such a rapid pace, it’s very cold for her head until her body adjusts. We hope that our free head wraps will assist her while she adjusts. So though we are a for-profit company, it’s very important that we do something to help others in a non-profit aspect.
It’s also important that each Customer is very happy with their product. I want our Customers to receive quality products in the shortest amount of ship time. I want them to feel beautiful in whatever they choose to purchase. Our Customer Service does not end after the purchase. It continues on.
Pricing:
- Silk Men’s Tie Sets: $19.99
- African Hand Made Skirts: $39.99
- Bridal Party Dresses: $119.99
- Romers/Jumpers: $39.99
- Various Dresses: $7.99 – $84.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://uyleesboutique.fashion/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uyleesboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uylees
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uylee’s-boutique/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/UyleesBoutique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQeop2RRirQndSvg8TdZfA
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uyleesboutique?
