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Meet Lisa Wilkerson of Something Unique

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Wilkerson.

Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Something Unique is a Great Source for Trendy Fashion Accessories for Men, Women and Kids for $25 or Less! We currently have 3 store locations to serve you in Gary, IN-Pendergrass, GA and Athens, GA.

Something Unique began its journey in business in 2014 with only an Online Accessories Store at www.somethinguniqueshoes.com. The vision came after a long conversation with my brother about how he was being ripped off by another establishment. The first vision was originally a shoe store, but it quickly changed to accessories. Our first store location opened its doors for business in Gary, IN at 8000 Melton Rd, 46403 in the Miller Flea Market. The Gary location was chosen for several reasons. First, it is my hometown! Secondly, it was my Passion to bring Great Fashions and Value to the Citizens of Gary at a Great Price! Since big businesses moved out of the economically challenged area, it was my duty to bring back small business to the area!

In 6/2015, we opened our 2nd store location in Decatur, GA in the 285 Flea Market, but later relocated to Pendergrass, GA in the Pendergrass Flea Market at 5641 US 129, 30567 in 1/2016. Even though we are located in the flea market, we are not a flea market store! We are your local Fashion Boutique! While our Gary, IN store has limited product selection due to space, our Pendergrass location offers a full range of selections in Fashion, Sterling Silver, & Stainless Steel Jewelry. Body Jewelry including Body Chains, Arm Chains, Arm Cuffs, Hair Combs, Hand Bracelets, Ear Cuffs and Foot Bracelets. Body Piercing Jewelry for the Tongue, Nose, Lip, Belly, and Cartilage are available. Purses, Watches, Keychains, Hair and Cellphone Accessories for Men, Women & Kids for $25 or Less.

In 1/2017, we opened our 3rd Something Unique location in Athens, GA in the J&J Flea Market. The store is located at 11661 Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607. We are open from 9am to 5pm every Saturday and Sunday in Building 3, booth 11. Our Athens location offers plenty of Selection in Accessories every weekend. Our Gary, IN location is located at 4121 Cleveland St, Gary, IN 46408 in the Market City Flea Market every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Our Pendergrass location is open every Saturday & Sunday from 9am to 6pm.

Be on the lookout for our first Strip Mall location in 2018!

Has it been a smooth road?
The road to success is never an easy journey. Finding balance in running a successful business, being a mom & wife, while working another full-time job is very difficult. I’m still working on finding the balance, but my biggest opportunity was me in getting started! I procrastinated for years on getting my business started. Once I got the ball rolling, everything began to fall in place. I’ve managed restaurants for over 30 years, so the knowledge was already there. I just needed a push from my confront zone to get the business started. That push came when I no longer found pleasure in working in restaurants and working for other people. I wanted to be my own boss, because I realized that my opinion wasn’t valued at my job and that no one was going to pay me what I really felt I was worth. So, I knew then that I’d have to make it happen.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Something Unique is a great company, because we are truly a new concept to the Fashion World where Value is brought together with great pricing, great selection, plenty of product availability and great customer service. We are a mixture of Walmart, Claire’s and Charming Charlie’s, because they all provide 1 or 2 of our key components. However, I’d like to say that we have it all. Charming Charlie’s offer’s great selection and customer service, but pricing can be more than our price point. Walmart offers great pricing and product quantity, but the great customer service isn’t always there. They all offer accessories for Women, but we are different because we offer affordable jewelry for Men as well.

As a small company, I am everything to Something Unique. I’m the Buyer, Store Manager, Office Manager, Warehouse Manager, Cashier and Sales Rep. I manage the store’s marketing and website maintenance. I work both Georgia locations every weekend and travel to Indiana every other month to check on operations there.

I’m proud of every success. I’m proud that we get to open our doors each day to make someone else happy with the products we offer. I’m grateful for the time that my family extends to help run the business as well.

Something Unique is different from other store locations, because we are a community store. We take great pride in serving the surrounding cities of each location. We participate in many local festivals and events such as the Taste of Suwanee and other local school functions. We are distinctive in that we offer products for all income levels, cultures, genders and age groups. We do it at a desirable price point of $25 or Less.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Atlanta is one of the best places in the world for Entrepreneurs! Compared to other cities, Atlanta is home to a large portion of America’s Small Businesses. There are huge markets of people from all demographics that big business often looks over. Often times, Small Business fills the gap and more. The area in which to start your business depends greatly on the products that you offer. If you have the right mix and the right attitude, then you can make it anywhere in Atlanta.

Pricing:

  • Everything is $25 or Less

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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