Interview with One Honey Boutique

Today we're going to have a sit down with Honey from One Honey Boutique. One Honey is definitely one of the hottest Boutiques on Designer Lookout, and they've been super duper busy the last few months, and I mean SUPER busy, but I won't spoil the surprise!

Brett: Hi there. Can you give us a quick introduction about you and your store.

One Honey: Hi Brett, thanks for taking the time to interview me, I am loving Designer Lookout, its such a great idea and I’m often on there myself checking out all the great places to shop.

I have had a passion for clothing for many years and used to sell regularly on eBay, this hobby eventually led me to want to start a business so I would be able to offer a larger range of items to my customers on a daily basis and to be able to speak with them face to face is great.

Brett: You mentioned your new store, when did it officially open?

One Honey: We officially opened in April 2011, our soft launch party was a great success, we had a DJ playing in store, lots of bubbly and were visited by some special friends and designers of the labels I stock, as well as some customers from the area, there were literally people walking past who came in to check out the store, and have a glass of Champagne. We will be doing another official launch in the next few months. Ill be sure to send you an invite! 

Brett: How has the launch stage been? We've been following your tweets and Facebook posts and it sure seems like you've been a busy bee!

One Honey: The launch was exciting, I have enjoyed running around to find all the pieces to fill the store and bring my vision to life. It’s a great feeling when complete strangers stop past the store to take a look, and they often give me great compliments on the design of the store itself, there is just noting like it in the area, or Sydney for that matter.

I wanted the store to look like a boutique with French style furniture, but also to combine a modern element. And ensure the gilded antique mirror I choose was large enough to fit two people in side by side, there’s nothing better than shopping with your girlfriends and both coming out to compare the outfits you are trying on!!

Brett: What made you make the step from eBay store to Bricks and Mortar Store?

One Honey: The response from eBay was great, I had a custom store and listing template built on eBay so it already looked like a stand alone website, and I have a great base of return customers that supported my eBay store, however the time was right to make the change, and the fees on eBay were always going up, this just didn’t make it a viable option for me any longer.

eBay is great and I'm sure ill be back there in some form at some stage, but for now I prefer to be able to focus on my customers in the store and help them select an amazing outfit or accessories to complete their look. Its also great having a website where they can come and browse and then come down to the store to try things on. I'm always updating my Facebook Fan Page also, and quite often I will provide a VIP Pre-Sale option to my Fans at a discount price; this is my way of thanking them for their support.

Brett: What were some or one of the biggest challenges you faced while starting your store? And what got you through?

One Honey: I would say finding all the pieces I wanted, it took me over a month of searching to find the right things I had in my minds eye. But I'm glad I was patient as all the pieces presented themselves in the end and the result is stunning. Everyone who knows me know I'm a perfectionist!

Brett: Can you give anyone out there any pointers, or lessons you learned along the way that you wish you had of known?

One Honey: I would say as a pointer definitely research EVERYTHING, have a dream book or spreadsheet and add and change things as you go or as you find another supplier or item you want to add, ensuring to update the costs and information to keep it fresh and accurate, the more research you do the more you will know what is right for you, it will naturally evolve.

And you will know how much you need to invest and what you can and cant have straight away. And it helps to have someone to bounce ideas off. My sister and boyfriend were the best help for this, I would be up at 2am with a great idea and he never minded me sharing it with him.

Brett: OK enough about the business side of things, let's get to some fun. What's your all time favourite piece in your wardrobe?

One Honey: My favourite thing is my thigh high boots they are great value as its hard to find good boots like these in Australia, I have one style that are exactly like the Christian Louboutin OTK Thigh High Boots, Katie Perry, Rihanna and Khloe Kardashian all wear them, my version gives you the same look for less. I love to layer them with leggings or jeans, a nice flowy top, feature necklace and funky blazer or jacket, loving my blazers at the moment. Oh and a pashmina or scarf, this weather in Sydney really calls for one at the moment, my collection is huge and I have different styles and colours for each outfit I can choose depending on my mood.

Brett: What is the hottest thing you're stocking at the moment?

One Honey: The hottest thing right now is one of our Celebrity Style Bandage Dresses, they are truly stunning! I have many different styles and designs now; there is something for everyone and every body shape. I love how they make you feel super sexy; just add killer heels and you are ready to go! All our customers who purchase one also receive one of our Limited Edition Boutique bags that I designed myself.

And of course the Jewellery, I have Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian and House of Harlow by Nicole Richie, these pieces are to die for, I love the style and detail in them all. The Jewellery I stock ranges from $15 upwards so there’s something for every budget. I love Celebrity culture and am always keeping up on the fashion trends from around the world; quite often I will see an outfit on a Celebrity and then have all these pieces in my store so my customers are able to "get the look for less".

Brett: Who is your favourite Designer/Celebrity or Greatest influence?

One Honey: I would say Monica Rose, she is an amazing Stylist, I love her looks they are effortless and always with a touch of rock or glamour, she is definitely a huge influence in my style right now. She is the stylist for the Kardashians and also many Hollywood starlets, and of course Alexander McQueen, loving anything with Skulls and a bit of Rock n Roll edge.

Brett: What does the future have in store for One Honey Boutique?

One Honey: Eventually id love to open another Boutique in Australia and one in New Zealand so everyone can have a little One Honey in their wardrobe!

Brett: Thanks so much for your time, we really appreciate you giving us an insight into what it takes to open a store, and make it as successful as it has been.

If you want more information about One Honey, be sure to check out their Designer Lookout Profile, become a fan of their Facebook page as well to be kept in the loop about Sales and New Additions to the store. We look forward to following their progress as they blaze their own trail in the Fashion world! Keep up the good work One Honey.