Store Spotlight: Maggie Anne’s {Patti Bailey}

 

Tucked away in the small town of Hillsdale, MI, is an adorable women's boutique, Maggie Anne's Shoppe. Meet the loving and devoted store owner, Patti Bailey, as she shares her career journey.

 

{SS}: Can you share with us your career background and how you got started?

{Patti Bailey}: I have always loved clothes! I graduated with a marketing degree from Hillsdale College in 1987 and knew I wanted to work as a buyer for a retail department store.  I accepted a job with Jacobson's Stores, Inc in their management training program and learned everything about the retail business. The management training program had me working a few weeks in every department – the warehouse, accounting, store display, buying offices and more! So I really learned a lot about retail and how to run my own business from this training program!

Once I completed the program, I worked in the Dearborn, MI store as the manager of Electronics, Sweets & Treats and Stationary. After about a year, I was called back to the main offices in Jackson, MI to be an Assistant Buyer in the Childrens department. I eventually became a buyer for Preteen and was later also assigned girls 4-6x. However, in 1994, I was due with my first child and decided to stay home with her.

A year later, the opportunity to buy an existing ladies clothing store in my downtown area became available, so I found a business partner and jumped in as a business owner! I bought out my partner in 2004 and have been my own boss since then and absolutely love it!

 {SS}: When did Maggie Anne's Shop open and how has your store evolved since?

{Patti Bailey}: The original owners opened Maggie Anne's in 1978, and I took over the business in 1995. The business has evolved in many ways; Maggie Anne's typical customer has changed over the years – attracting a younger customer as well as the older customer who still wants to look hip and stylish. The internet has changed the business allowing us to have an online presence through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and now, Styleshack! This gives us a much bigger customer reach! Computers in general have changed the business – in 1995 we hand wrote receipts and kept track of inventory manually, (whew!) whereas now we have a POS system to track customers, keep our inventory in line and handle our accounting side of the business.

Challenges I face include attracting new customers, keeping shopping "fun" with unique events – like our "Markdowns and Margaritas" event we recently held, and keeping up with technology. While being in a small town is great, it also limits my market, so I have to reach out to surrounding areas to advertise and draw customers. Our events and fashion shows help with this as does maintaining our mailing list. Technology has changed greatly and quickly over the years, and sometimes it is a struggle to keep up! Being knowledgeable in the latest Pinterest update, keeping Facebook posts front and center in my followers timelines, and Twitter?! Who can keep up with that? Also producing and maintaining a website at an affordable cost is a challenge.

{SS}: Who inspires you in the Fashion/Design world?

{Patti Bailey}: I never really have had any one designer that inspired me. I do admire Coco Chanel – how she took her sewing skills taught to her by nuns, to a new level and created timeless designs that are still popular today.  My customers inspire me to be a better store owner, buyer, etc and bring them the best of the markets I travel. I've always held to the theory, that if you look good, you feel good and I want my customers to leave my store feeling better about themselves than when they came in.

{SS}: Your secret to work/life balance?

 {Patti Bailey}: My secret to balancing life and work is keeping God 1st, family 2nd and work 3rd. I don't do much of anything major in my life without first praying about it. Also working out is a major stress reliever. I have a personal trainer I work with as well as classes I attend. I love it!

Now onto your Personal Style…

{SS}: In regards to your personal style, do you have a signature accessory?

{Patti Bailey}: In the fall and winter that would be a scarf – any scarf! in the spring and summer – any Brighton jewelry – necklace, bracelet, rings, and earrings. I feel naked without earrings!

{SS}: A few items in your "styleshack" A.K.A closet that you can't live without?

 {Patti Bailey}: Some of the same items that are my favorites from #6 – my Spanx cami and Coobie bra, Not Your Daughters Jeans bootcut style (so glad the bootcut is coming back!), and anything black!

{SS}: Who inspires your style?  Favorite Style Icon?

 {Patti Bailey}: Its tough being in the fashion retail business, because I feel I can't even run to the grocery store without looking good! I have a good friend who can put on sweats and look like she walked out of a fashion magazine. She just has S-T-Y-L-E! and she is always put together with a scarf and jewelry. She inspires me to always look my best and never forget my accessories!

 

 

 

{Patti }: I like the Generation Love Grey and White Sweater Guys N Gals

Silver Leather Cuff Bracelet Ella Designs Jewelry

 

Boho Bead and Leather Wrap Bracelet Brenda Geiger Designs

{SS}: Favorite fashion, lifestyle, food or business blog ?

{Patti Bailey}: I don't follow blogs, but I do love Pinterest! Everything you need to know, from cooking to cleaning to what to wear and more, can be found!

You Can Shop Maggie Anne's Shoppe on Styleshack