Susan DelPriore is CEO of Magnolia Boutique, an online women’s clothing boutique offering you a budget friendly selection of trendy styles and this week’s Woman in Business
Magnolia sells on-trend apparel and accessories for women. Our target audience is millennial women who are looking for an easy and affordable way to update their wardrobes.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
Being a business owner means freedom to me. I love having the flexibility to take my kids places they need to be and not be held accountable to anyone else but myself and my employees.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
My dad has been the greatest influence in my business. He was very street-smart and taught me to always go after what I want and fight hard for what I believe in.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Managing to have a successful business and raise a family at the same time.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Recognize what you are good at and what you are not. I think entrepreneurs sometimes think that they need to do everything themselves (I know I did). However, there are times when hiring someone who knows more than you do is the most beneficial thing you can do for your business.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
Right now the most effective marketing initiatives for us are partnering with influencers who have similar followings to our customers and creating meaningful and engaging social media content that converts our followers into purchasers.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
One thing I learned over the years is to always be looking at the numbers and to think very carefully about how each decision affects the well-being of the company, both long and short-term.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
We recently launched an exclusive collection with a major influencer, which was a ton of work for both our Marketing and Merchandising departments. We worked with the influencer to design exclusive pieces just for her. The process took months, and there were a lot of bumps in the road along the way, but it was a major success.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
Yoga – I also like to go to concerts with friends, and I love walking my dog.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
The number one business goal I would like to accomplish over the next year is to have SOP’s (standard operating procedures) updated and in place for all departments.
You want to write a book on vegetarian meal planning.
Linkedin is the best way to reach me https://www.linkedin.com/
