Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Rothwell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Gina, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Reflecting on my journey, it’s been quite a ride. My parents’ creativity, from customizing a ChevyVan and crafting walls of seashells and driftwood, along with their distinctive fashion style, left an indelible mark on me.
As a young adult in the ’80s, I dreamed of a career in the fashion world, but at the time it seemed the business degree was the way to go, so I earned a double major in Marketing and Finance. Deep down, the desire to own my own boutique was always there, and the California lifestyle was such a draw since I was a kid, probably influenced by shows like the Brady Bunch and the whole surf and skate culture.
After graduation, I held various jobs, and finally made it to California to work for LA Gear, which was a dream come true! But when LA Gear’s fortunes changed, I found myself in other corporate roles of buying and planning at big-name brands. Despite my personal love for these brands, I felt like I was just going through the motions. My career lacked the creative spark I craved.
During those corporate years, I indulged my creative side at home, inspired by the HGTV era. Furniture restoration, mosaic art courses, and even a cabinet making class at the local college— I explored them all, searching for something to fill the void.
It was during maternity leave that clarity dawned on me. Although I returned to the corporate world for a couple more years, I knew I needed creativity in my life. In 2007, an opportunity to leave the corporate world happened, and I seized it. I ventured into the world of entrepreneurship with a small retail space, and my dream began to take shape.
Owning my own boutique was transformative; it felt like I’d finally found my purpose! While I’m not a traditional designer, I sourced manufacturers and created unique, private label items. Teaming up with my graphic designer husband, we built a wide range of California, local, and beach-themed products that set our shop apart. We diversified our sales platforms and launched our Sol Baby wholesale line recently. It hasn’t been easy, but the satisfaction of building something from scratch with my husband has been incredibly rewarding.
So here I am today, living my dream, owning my own boutique, and blending my passion for fashion with creativity and analytical business acumen. It’s been quite a journey, but I’ve found the right balance of my interests, skills, and experiences, bringing me both personal and professional fulfillment.
Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting or special about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about your brand/art/etc. If relevant, please also tell our readers about anything new (events, product/service launches, expansion, etc)
As a baby/children’s shop owner the most rewarding part of my job is the seasonal buying process, happening twice a year. It’s both exciting and stressful as I aim to select and curate cool, unique items for my shop while staying within budget. It’s a challenging but fulfilling aspect of my role. I also love creating private label fashions and collaborating with my husband on new California-inspired designs to offer my customers lots of choices at various price points.
Exciting news: we’ve launched our Sol Baby wholesale line, a significant step forward. We’re all about sharing the California lifestyle, even in suburban areas like where I grew up near Milwaukee. Our journey centers on our passion and purpose, and we can’t wait to see where the future takes us as we continue to grow and spread those sunny California vibes.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, in my area of expertise, three vital factors that have influenced my journey are creativity, adaptability, and strong analytical skills. These skills have allowed me to make thoughtful decisions, balance my love for products with customer demand, and remain conscious of price points while effectively managing costs. Also to be able to pivot when things like a full-blown street closure or pandemic happens!
The advice I would give to someone wanting to open a boutique is that patience is key; success in owning a boutique doesn’t happen overnight. Look beyond just your passion for fashion; consider all aspects of the business including bookkeeping, managing expenses and people, marketing, and customer service as they all play a crucial role in your success.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My biggest challenge right now is marketing in the social media era. Not knowing exactly how TikTok and all the features of Instagram can be used as tools is something I’m working to navigate. We aim to modernize our online presence without overspending, so I’m committed to learning more and making ongoing improvements.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sol-baby.com
- Instagram: @shopsolbaby
- Facebook: @shopsolbaby
- Youtube: @shopsolbaby
Image Credits
Suzan Najjar Photography
