Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Nicholson
Hi Kristine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Maryville, TN and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit – lemonade stands, cookie stands, dock-to-dock frog saleswoman (but that’s another story for another day), you name it! After I graduated from UT, I spent about 10 years in the finance industry as a financial planner and divorce financial analyst. In 2021, I decided to take some time off to focus on being a mom. While I can’t say that I have missed the stress of working in finance, I did miss all of the wonderful relationships I had built with my clients over the years. So, when the opportunity arose to take over Elle Boutique, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to carry on building relationships with the women in our community in a way that was fun! Who doesn’t love playing dress up?? So, in November of 2024, we embarked on this new adventure. I say “we” because I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of my incredible husband. He is the mastermind behind all of the spreadsheets so I can focus on the creative stuff, and we take turns keeping our 4-month-old happy on top of it all.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This question made me chuckle. I had zero retail experience when I took over Elle, but I loved the idea of a challenge and learning a new industry; and a challenge it has been! There is more to it than I ever would have imaged, but I am truly loving it (most days)! I have had to learn a lot about inventory management, the ebbs and flows of cash flow in retail and how to build relationships with product vendors. On days when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, I just make a point to go into the store and spend time with my amazing employees and customers. They make it all worth it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Elle Boutique is a contemporary women’s clothing boutique specializing in denim. We are probably most well-known for carrying the popular denim brands Mother, AG, and Moussy, but we also carry wardrobe staples, fashion pieces, and event wear. I am most proud of the level of customer service we provide to our shoppers. If you don’t love it, we won’t let you buy it. We only want you to leave the store with pieces you are thrilled about and a lot of great ideas for how you can style each piece.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Generally speaking, I think consumers are gravitating back to shopping in-store instead of ordering everything online. I know I personally really enjoy experiencing shopping at a boutique where I can try things on and play with new looks that I may not have considered on my own. I also think there is a strong trend towards investing in higher quality pieces that will last instead of wasting money on fast fashion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopelleboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopelleknoxville/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elleknoxville
