In the fashion world, independent boutiques have a distinct advantage over departments stores and big retailers: They’re small enough to be flexible. Smaller stores like Machus in Portland, Oregon, Need Supply Co. in Richmond, Virginia, and Tres Bien in Malmo, Sweden have developed a loyal customer base that grew enormously once they established their e-commerce sites.
A small physical space and need to stand apart from readily available options has seen the little guys adopt young brands with potential early on, helping push them to the forefront of consumers’ minds. It’s also inspired them to build strong visual identities on e-commerce platforms and social media that align with the kinds of labels they carry.
More recently, these successful shops have become brands themselves. Machus’ in-house line of products spans from basic tees and knitwear to denim, leather jackets, and home goods like candles. The independent shop just celebrated its five-year anniversary, a pretty big milestone for any small business.
On today’s show, we speak with store founder Justin Machus via Skype to talk about the highs and lows of being an independent retailer, the risks of adopting young labels early on, and the lessons he’s learned in the past five years of business.