We're a women's clothing boutique focused on service!

I was with Highmark for 30 years. My husband learned that this business was going to be for sale. I was really interested but hesitant and he encouraged me to buy it. I didn't know anything about retail; I worked in a children's clothing store while I was in college, but all I did was run the register. So it was a pretty steep learning curve, jumping right in. A huge learning curve, actually. 

May 1, 2017 was the day I took over Simply J and it was also the day I officially retired from Highmark. That day I needed to change the clothing on the mannequin. I did not have the first idea how to do it, and I didn't know what size mannequins wear. I had to call the previous owner and say, What size do these mannequins wear? And I felt like a ding-a-ling. None of that was  in my wheelhouse at that time. Luckily for me, three or four of the employees from the previous owner stayed on and worked for me, and they were helpful. But they never got involved in the dollars and cents. That was all me. 

Also a big moment was the first time I bought from a big clothing line. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I bought way, way, way too much! I did not have the space or money for what I bought. I went back to that vendor, bless his heart, and told him I had to cut the order down.

Fear of failure. I took on this challenge and I’m going to work hard to make sure it succeeds.

I think people will behave the way you treat them. If you treat them with the respect that they deserve, they will behave with the way that they should behave. My philosophy in the store has always been to make it a friendly, welcoming place. I want people to feel welcome here, and whether you buy something, you don't buy anything, I don't care. Just come in, look around, be pleasant, it's all good. I get fulfillment from those connections. 

Right now, people aren’t really shopping as much as normal. I guess it’s the economy.  What helps me a lot are like the events that I do here where we partner with organizations like the South Central PA Executive Women and give to charity. That’s a win-win-win.  

I was 55 when I started this. Some people would think that was too old. But I wasn't too old. If you want to do something, absolutely do it, because if you don't, you’ll always wonder if you could have made it. And if it doesn’t work, you can always try again, try again and try again. Not everything works out. And that’s okay. 

Yes, it’s on our wall: “Simplicity is the keynote of all elegance.” Coco Chanel

Well, I love spending time with my grandchildren, who live out of state. Parks, museums, the library. That’s what I do every chance I get!