Store Spotlight {Meghan Marion}

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

{Meghan Marion}: If you asked my mom how I got started with the store, she'll say it was when I was creating my own crazy hair styles at the age of 10 (circa Gwen Stefani at any point in her career). But for me, it was when I was always getting complimented for my style at family parties. My Aunt Mara always said, “Meghan if you ever opened a store I would buy everything in it.”

I always felt like I marched to the beat of my own drum, but not in a adical way. I just never saw the appeal in doing what everyone else was doing. So when the time came to go to college I had my heart set on Chicago. I’d love to say that I took my lifelong dream of opening up a store seriously from the get-go, but that wasn't the case. I didn't start taking it super seriously until my college boyfriend encouraged me to look into DePaul University's business management program. DePaul put a great deal of focus into concentrating classes on the entrepreneurial spirit and I fell in love with idea of opening up my own store all over again.

Throughout my college adventure, I worked various forms of retail that cultivated my love for the store experience. I started working at Bloomingdales in the fashion accessories department. It felt very glamorous to me at the time. I then had the opportunity to intern and later manage a small high end boutique. My time there really gave me boutique fever! There is where I learned so much about the merchandising and buying process of a store.

The January before I was to graduate from college in June, Target had offered me a job as an Executive Team Leader in their Chicago market. I went on to manage the high volume clothing departments in two different stores within the next two years. I then fell in love with a man back in Michigan (my now husband) and moved back to take a job managing with Victoria’s Secret at Somerset.

My experiences at Target, moving back to Michigan, and the robotic sales structure of Victoria’s Secret further fed my aspirations to bring the classic and tailored service experience to Michigan where I had yet to find it.

{SS}: Can you share with us any lessons learned or business advice you have gained throughout your journey of being a business owner?

{Meghan Marion}: First: Your relationships with people are the most important thing. It doesn’t matter whether it is the man who washes your windows, your loan officer, or the customer you see every month. Each person is important to the success of your operation. Time and consideration should always be spent on cultivating relationships and continuously making new ones.

Second: You need to spend money to make money and you need to spend it smart.

{SS}: What do you love about your job?

{Meghan Marion}: I LOVE buying the clothes. Who wouldn’t, its shopping on a grand scale! But I really love the feeling when someone leaves the store and I can tell they found exactly what they needed, to feel really wonderful about themselves. When I am able to suggest something for someone that they normally wouldn't choose for themself, it is so rewarding. All I ever wanted was to give my customer a great experience and great clothes that make them feel good about themselves.

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

{Meghan Marion}: Lauren Conrad and Rachel Zoe. These are both women that have extensive stories of hard work and trail blazing.

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

{Meghan Marion}: Love what you do and share your joy with the ones you love. This way there is no separation needed to balance your work and your life, because they are one. But rest assured, not every day is this possible.

{SS}: What are your current favorite product(s) in store?

{Meghan Marion}: Currently, I am LOVING my 7 for All Mankind high waist wide leg trousers. I have been wearing them with wedge booties & another favorite of mine, the Willow and Clay Folklore tank. Throw a blazer on to keep warm and you are good to go! Can you tell I am channeling my inner Rachel Zoe this month?

7 for All Mankind high waist wide leg trousers, Willow and Clay Folklore tank

{SS}: Are there any new products or lines that you will be carrying that you are excited about?

{Meghan Marion}: We are loving Cupcakes and Cashmere, a new line we brought into the store in December. The line is created by Emily Schuman the writer of the world famous Cupcakes and Cashmere blog. We love the simple and classic styles and that she writes about the clothing on her blog. Another fun fact about the line is that the designers for BB Dakota (another favorite line of ours in store) assisted Emily in the curation and design of the line.

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

{Meghan Marion}: My watch. My husband gave me a beautiful Michele watch for our wedding. I just don’t feel like any outfit is complete without it. Also, this season I have also been pairing vests with most outfits. It feels like an extra something special.

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

Elizabeth and James White Heritage James Blazer GuysNGals, Sorel Cate the Gread Wedge Boot Moosejaw

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

Again, Lauren Conrad and Rachel Zoe. I hate to seem so mainstream but when it comes to my personal style I like to be able to wear the items in my closet in a lot of different ways. Lauren Conrad is more girly and classic and Rachel is pretty trendy. I’ll be honest though, I like dressing other people far more than myself.

{SS}: Style Archetype?

{Meghan Marion}: Trendy Chic