Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie Thacker.
Hi Jennie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a little girl, I have many fond memories of attending boutiques with my mom. It was the best tradition! We would go and browse through all the booths and I remember being in awe of all the beautiful, handmade things. We always came home with chocolate and many years later, that hasn’t changed! Simple Treasures was founded in the year 2000 in Corinne, UT. I had just volunteered to run the city’s 4th of July Celebration and decided, I loved it and wanted more!
It brought back those memories of fun times with my mom and I discovered over time that I had a talent for organizing and planning. That fall, our first boutique opened its doors. It was small… maybe 1000 square feet. Over the years, with many ups and downs, and a lot of amazing supporters along the way, we now open our doors to 40,000 square feet of locally handmade décor, gifts, yummy treats, and more. Simple Treasures became the family business. My husband Paul and my entire growing family are on board to make this happen. I’ve lost count of how many shows we’ve put together.
Over the years, we’ve amassed the best and brightest artists from all over the state and beyond. As the show has grown, the vendor collection just keeps getting better and better. Customers continually tell me that each show was our best yet. We host over 180 vendors in each show. They are not only talented but super hard-working, dedicated, and supportive of each other. I am so blessed to work with so many great people.
Our customers are phenomenal. They are super loyal and many of them haven’t missed a show in years. Many travel long distances to get to us. They come shop in fun girls’ groups, date nights, and even as an escape. Shopping therapy is a real thing! I love to see the fun traditions that have been created. Girls’ groups have expanded over the years as families grow and friends invite more friends. We all countdown to opening day together and I love to see the sparkle and excitement in the customers’ eyes as they enter.
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?
Starting a business is not for the faint of heart! During the early years, we wondered why we were doing this. Some people thought I was crazy. We were barely keeping our heads above water and our vendors were super patient when we had shows that just didn’t go well. In the meantime, my small family was growing. My children were very little and event weeks were hard on everyone. It was difficult to balance it all and they made many sacrifices.
One of our biggest challenges to date was 2020 as I’m sure it was for many small businesses. We are proud to say that we fought through all the red tape and hosted six events during the year 2020. We did it all. Masking, social distancing, etc. Anything to keep our doors open. I literally couldn’t think of canceling. I had too many vendors counting on these events to help support their families. Vendors survive on events. Most events in 2020 were canceled and many had nowhere to sell.
We added an outdoor June show that year, just for that reason, and the customers showed up in full support despite Covid. They were so generous in opening their wallets to these amazing families vending. I had many vendors, thanking me with tears in their eyes. It was much-needed income. Through 2020, many customers came to me at the shows, thanking me in tears as well.
I shed a few myself. It was healing for us all to do something just a bit normal. It was a rough year, but we’re all stronger for it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Simple Treasures Boutique?
I have loved running a small business. I wear lots of hats, but I have so many people on board to help, that the credit doesn’t belong with me. From my family to the staff that works their guts out every show, to our talented, hard-working vendors and the amazing customers that come out to support without fail. It takes a village to put on every event and I’ve been blessed with the best village ever!
One thing people love about Simple Treasures is that it runs on a central checkout. Customers shop through over 180 booths and pay at the end. It works out well for everyone involved. I love creating close relationships with our customers that way and it’s so fun to see the women come through the checkout out smiling and laughing over who spent the most money!
Running things that way, our Point of Sale system has to be custom made. My husband, Paul wrote a software program that ran great for us through our early years. Then our son TJ upgraded everything in 2020. Now we are handling long lines of customers with only a short wait. TJ is now in business for himself selling the custom POS system to other consignment shops and events.
We have five shows on the docket for 2022.
- March 15-19 at Legacy Events Center in Farmington.
- May 3-7 at Legacy Events Center in Farmington.
- Sept. 13-17 at Legacy Events Center in Farmington.
- Nov. 8-12 at Legacy Events Center in Farmington.
- Nov. 29-Dec. 3 at Golden Spike Events Center in Ogden.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think success is loving what you do. I love it from start to finish. I enjoy organizing, communicating, and especially the people. I love the customers and I thrive on the exciting fun feel of showtime.
My favorite is that so many fun girls’ trips happen here. It really brings people together. They laugh, they cry and they shop till they drop! Many times we’ll get five generations of women coming in together and they never miss a show. I will always and forever be flattered by their support. This is way more than what I always dreamed it could be when I started this crazy venture 22 years ago.
I still get to shop with my mom sometimes and it’s so satisfying to have created a place where so many fun traditions and fond memories continue to be created. Here’s to another fun year of Simple Treasures and many more to come!
Contact Info:
- Email: simpletreasuresboutique@gmail.com
- Website: https://simpletreasures.boutique/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpletreasuresboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simpletreasuresboutique
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/STTreasures
Image Credits
Masterpiece Images
