{Meet the Shapiros}
If you were to ask Phyllis, husband Barry, or son Matthew if they could change their careers and do something different, the hands-down answer would be a very sincere, “No.”
How It All Began
In high school, Barry started out working in domestics at Macy’s where he met Phyllis, who worked in the cosmetics department. They married in 1979, moved a few times along the way for Barry’s retail career growth in operations at Ann Taylor and Chicos, and eventually landed in Fort Myers, Florida. During that time, Phyllis raised their two sons – Matthew, now 34 and Jeff, now 31.
While working as President of Perry Ellis retail, Barry stumbled across Apricot Lane at a trade show in Las Vegas where Ken Peterson, the CEO of Apricot Lane Franchise was a featured speaker. He had always thought about owning his own business and thought of this opportunity, and the support that Apricot Lane Franchises offers, as a way to start a business with his wife and son.
Phyllis and Barry opened their first store in Coconut Creek, Florida in November of 2008. Matthew joined his parents shortly after, first as a store manager, to learn the ins and outs of the business. As of two years ago, Matthew is the buyer for all of their stores.
Present Day
The Shapiros currently have their Coconut Creek store, added their DelRay Beach store to the family business in 2013, and will soon open a third location in Wellington, Florida.
Phyllis still keeps an eye on the Coconut Creek store while running back and forth to the DelRay Beach location, which is close to their residence. When asked what the best thing about the Apricot Lane stores is, Phyllis replied, “The stores allow me the opportunity to work alongside my family. It gives me those few extra days a week to be with my son, which I love!”
Working together as a family affords them the time to travel to the different trade shows across the United States, as well as talk shop.
The Shapiros emphasize their love of the fact that their stores are part of the community in which they reside. They pride themselves on their warm and friendly team of associates who are part of their extended family.
Originally posted in City Moms Blog.
Meet Ginger – mom, grammies, fashion lover, and business owner. She’s been known to spoil her fabulous four grandchildren first with love, then with goodies! After 31 years of wedded bliss to her high school sweetheart and three beautiful daughters, family is everything to her. Crafts, art, and the designing of anything always peaked her interest, but it’s the small things in life that really embrace her – smiling, laughing, loving, being a little crazy (okay, a lot crazy!), making memories, and family devotion. Her family is the real reason she wanted to start a business. Ginger knows succeeding at her own business brings in extra money to treat her family to enjoyable trips, delectable dinners, fun outings, and ultimately having something of value to leave behind for her offspring. Ginger also wanted to set a good example for her children and g-kids by teaching them that you truly can do or be anything you want in life if you really go after it. And today, City Moms Blog Network is thrilled to share her story and successes with Apricot Lane.
If we were going to make a colossal life change, I wanted it to be different this time around. I wanted to do something fun. I wanted to get up in the morning and actually want to go to work. This earth is supposed to be life’s playground after all, right? If I was to succeed both in business and spiritually, I knew I had to make work fun! I always loved playing dress up as most little and big girls do, I always loved make-up, purses, jewelry and let’s not forget shoes! So there it was, fashion was part of our destination!
Read Ginger's Story.
Visiting the warm, sunny south as our family annually did, we fell in love with tropical birds, dancing palm trees, aqua crystal waters, white sandy beaches and cheerful hellos from passersby as we browsed our favorite shopping destination. Everything was so bright, upbeat, enjoyable and alive at St. Armands Circle! We had found our haven, we just had to put the rest of the pieces together of life’s journey.
If we were going to make a colossal life change, I wanted it to be different this time around. I wanted to do something fun. I wanted to get up in the morning and actually want to go to work. This earth is supposed to be life’s playground after all, right? If I was to succeed both in business and spiritually, I knew I had to make work fun! I always loved playing dress up as most little and big girls do, I always loved make-up, purses, jewelry and let’s not forget shoes! So there it was, fashion was part of our destination!
Why Apricot Lane.
While researching the merchant and fashion field, I stumbled across the franchise Apricot Lane Boutique. They were the perfect opportunity, as I had never worked in retail before (I sure had lots of experience on the other side of the cash register though!). The next question was, how?
I once read, you don’t need to have all the answers up front, just start taking the steps forward and you will figure it out as you go along. As the old saying goes, “nothing ventured, nothing gained!” Anxiousness and fear of starting your own business are real, but once you look deep inside yourself, confidence overcomes and turns your dreams into reality.
Anxiousness and fear of starting your own business are real, but once you look deep inside yourself, confidence overcomes and turns your dreams into reality.
The American Dream.
One by one they’ve joined me. My family, my husband, my girls, two pups and myself have relocated to sunny Sarasota. We’ve had quite the journey, we’ve flown across the country a few times meeting new people, making new friends, learning new things and experiencing a whole new life. These are all wonderful things we never would have encountered without the courage to just “start”. My journey has brought my family closer together, not only geographically but respectfully. We rely on each other, we laugh together, we each step up to the plate as needed and we really are enjoying each other along the way! We are having fun! Our store, Apricot Lane Boutique St. Armands Circle, is family owned and operated. We created something from nothing. We truly are living the American dream and you can, too!
Make sure to to check out more about Ginger’s Sarasota store AND shop all of the seasons most popular styles from Apricot Lane! Stay tuned as we highlight more Apricot Lane stores around the country and the hardworking #MomBoss that is behind each one.
Chokers and off-the-shoulder tops.
Image Source: Linaeroute.com
Image Source: lookbook
Image Source: Pinterest
Clear detailing on shoes is a major shoe trend that is just emerging.
Image Source: Whowhatwear.com
Image Source: Image Source: Whowhatwear.com
We are already seeing models wearing fall's number one piece: the varsity jacket.
Image Source: WhoWhatWear.com
Image Source: Whowhatwear.com
The one new denim trend to take the fashion world by storm this season? Two-tone denim.
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: DenimBlog.com
Image Source: WhoWhatWear.com
Cropped flares have officially become the It denim style of 2016, now it's time to transition them into fall by adding ankle boots.
Image Source: Sarahstylesseattle.com
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: WhoWhatWear.com
Maxi dresses with slightly richer colors and that contain longer sleeves, not to mention the occasional ruffle are will be hot for fall. You can still wear your floral maxis that you have now with turtlenecks or a light jacket to create the fall version too.
Image Source: Imaxtree
Image Source: Imaxtree
Image Source: Imaxtree
Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand’s Circle. STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS
Meet the new millennial friendly boutique on St. Armands Circle.
What’s millennial friendly, you might ask? (As one of newsroom’s gen xers did.)
I would shop there.
My credit card wouldn’t be too furious that I shopped there.
I’d still look great even without my credit card screaming.
I caught myself eyeing the merchandise (specifically, this very textured, mauve dress) looming in the background as I was interviewing the shop owners.
I’m really thinking about going back and trying it on.
As in, I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon.
(You know, like when you see a doughnut, and you want a doughnut, and don’t take the doughnut, but then still think about the doughnut all day?)
That dress and this boutique is my doughnut.
OK. On to the real story.
Ginger O’Connor launched an Apricot Lane Boutique this weekend at 464 John Ringling Blvd. near Naples Soap Company and the Blue Dolphin Café.
She’s outfitted the 1,700-square-foot shop with racks of brightly colored, chic but fun clothing and tables of accessories. The goal is to appeal to a variety of ages and price points, and she’s teamed up with her 25-year-old daughter, Melanie, the store’s manager, to make it happen.
(No wonder it’s millennial friendly, a millennial is part of the team running the show.)
Ginger O’Connor and her daughter, Melanie, left, opened Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand’s Circle. STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS
They’ve searched the markets in New York, Los Angeles and Miami and sought-out up-and-coming designers.
The emphasis is on quality and affordability whether it’s for a day at the beach, a night at the club or a morning yoga class.
The O’Connors have some names on their shelves that shoppers will recognize, such as analili, but many of their labels are new finds, and in a true boutique fashion they’ve only purchased a few of each style.
Apricot Lane Boutique has a few dresses that reach upwards of $100, but she can also outfit her customers with a whole outfit — including shoes and accessories — for about that same price.
See I told you my credit card wouldn’t be too mad at me.
And that dress I’m dreaming about (or, as I’m now affectionately calling it — my doughnut) was only $66.
{Meet the Shapiros}
If you were to ask Phyllis, husband Barry, or son Matthew if they could change their careers and do something different, the hands-down answer would be a very sincere, “No.”
How It All Began
In high school, Barry started out working in domestics at Macy’s where he met Phyllis, who worked in the cosmetics department. They married in 1979, moved a few times along the way for Barry’s retail career growth in operations at Ann Taylor and Chicos, and eventually landed in Fort Myers, Florida. During that time, Phyllis raised their two sons – Matthew, now 34 and Jeff, now 31.
While working as President of Perry Ellis retail, Barry stumbled across Apricot Lane at a trade show in Las Vegas where Ken Peterson, the CEO of Apricot Lane Franchise was a featured speaker. He had always thought about owning his own business and thought of this opportunity, and the support that Apricot Lane Franchises offers, as a way to start a business with his wife and son.
Phyllis and Barry opened their first store in Coconut Creek, Florida in November of 2008. Matthew joined his parents shortly after, first as a store manager, to learn the ins and outs of the business. As of two years ago, Matthew is the buyer for all of their stores.
Present Day
The Shapiros currently have their Coconut Creek store, added their DelRay Beach store to the family business in 2013, and will soon open a third location in Wellington, Florida.
Phyllis still keeps an eye on the Coconut Creek store while running back and forth to the DelRay Beach location, which is close to their residence. When asked what the best thing about the Apricot Lane stores is, Phyllis replied, “The stores allow me the opportunity to work alongside my family. It gives me those few extra days a week to be with my son, which I love!”
Working together as a family affords them the time to travel to the different trade shows across the United States, as well as talk shop.
The Shapiros emphasize their love of the fact that their stores are part of the community in which they reside. They pride themselves on their warm and friendly team of associates who are part of their extended family.
Originally posted in City Moms Blog.
