Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Combe.
Hi Gina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always loved fashion and knew I wanted to work in the world of fashion. At 16, I was scouted by a local modeling agency, Echo Talent, where I was featured on a reality TV show “Scouted”, as a result of the show I was signed on with ONE Management in New York City. My first taste of New York and the really fast pace fashion world was so exhilarating to me and assured me I had to do something with Fashion.
I modeled in Paris, New York, Auckland (NZ), and San Francisco. The variety of fashion markets I was able to see around the world helped me decide that Utah was lacking this. Trends in Utah, especially at the time seemed to be influenced by local boutiques and individual-inspired trends not by what was actually on the runways. I wanted to change this and knew I wanted to open my own boutique eventually, inspired by current trends and high fashion. I continued modeling for a few years, got my Fashion Business and Merchandising Certification from Bridgerland Applied Technology College, not many people know about their program, but if you’re not wanting to spend a fortune and really learn the ins and outs of all things fashion and retail-related, they have a fantastic program.
They have incredible innovative classes coming out all the time. I’m actually on the Board of Fashion for BATC and am always impressed by their semi-annual fashion shows and the newest technology and advancements coming out for such a small school. While going to school I got married to my wonderfully supportive husband and worked retail for the Buckle and later Dillards in the Juniors department. Soon once I had built up enough retail experience along with my Fashion Certification I was able to land a job with Target as a Visual Merchandising Manager.
Then after about a year came across the opportunity to further my experience and work as a Fashion Buyer for a local Boutique (Lime Lush Boutique). This was where I learned more about buying, managing, and running a boutique, and how not to run a boutique. I worked there for 2 years and eventually moved on to working as a buyer for a health and wellness company called Zija. Though not fashion-related, I learned so much more about the science behind buying, and trend forecasting that helps me with my system in my boutique now. After about a year at Zija, I started Gi’s Boutique on the side. I soon got pregnant and decided to quit my full-time job and continue growing my Boutique.
It isn’t easy running your own business that’s for sure and definitely has been a long-term investment but I find it so rewarding helping women find clothes that they love and feel great in! Gi’s Boutique is still all online based but I also do a lot of local markets and booths and find this human connection very rewarding. I’m able to see what my customers are drawn to and feel their excitement and energy when they purchase and love what they find. I’ve also built some great connections with other shop and business owners that help inspire me and grow my company in different ways.
We just hit 2 years as a company in November and have seen so much growth as a company as well as growth in my personal development. I love what I do and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Gis!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Like I said it has not been easy. When I started Gi’s in November of 2019, not very many people knew about Gi’s and like many businesses obscurity was our biggest issue. Then Covid hit in March, sales almost went to a standstill, for Gi’s at least I think most of our small customer base was in fear of not knowing when they would get their next paycheck. Luckily because we’ve been online-based, inventory was the only financial burden.
Soon things slowly started to pick up again and things started to open up, but most of 2020 was a really rough year until this happened. I just had to believe in my calling and dream, keep pushing and putting in the work, without my husband’s support, both financially and emotionally, Gi’s may not be where it is. I’m so grateful that he has always been in full support even through the tears and frustrations it has never been an option to quit. Business keeps improving as I learn more and more about who my customer base is and who Gi’s Boutique really is.
At first, I wanted Gi’s to seem like it was this big boutique that was run by a team, I think I had it in my head that it seemed more professional that way. Then, I had a major breakthrough where I realized I just needed to be me, Gi’s is me, people just needed to see my authentic self and my expertise and that’s where I’ve started to see real growth! I’ve realized it’s much easier for people to love a person behind a brand, than a brand not knowing who is behind it all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Gi’s Boutique specializes in quality clothing inspired by current high fashion trends at an affordable price for the everyday customer.
I’m super proud of my knowledge behind fabric content and knowing how to take care of different clothes, Gi’s has and always will be, great quality pieces, made to last and that stand out in a crowd. I’ve been told several times, “You’re clothes aren’t like what other boutiques have.”
I love hearing this because I don’t look at other boutiques for trends I look at high fashion runway trends and incorporate those into Gi’s, this is how I know I’ll carry different stuff from other boutiques.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being true to my authentic self, being upfront and transparent with my customers.
Gone are the days when businesses have to hide behind a professional mask. People want to see the reality, the more of the process you share people seem to gravitate to it, its more like a social media reality show. Haha.
Pricing:
- Pricing ranges from $20-$100
Contact Info:
- Email: info@gisboutique.com
- Website: Gisboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gis.boutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gis.boutique.highfashion
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gisboutique?lang=en
Image Credits
@MaddieMorrisphoto and Sloan Olivia Bowen @SloanoliviaPhotography
