Episode 20: Alta Alexander - Altatudes

Imagine you own a beautiful brick and mortar boutique a gem of the neighborhood. COVID-19 hits, you face a mandatory shutdown of your business. Three months later you are preparing to reopen, getting all safety requirements in place, abuzz with excitement. Then a phone call at 3AM, a mere two weeks before the reopening date, changes everything. The neighboring business that shares a wall with yours is on fire. You race down there to find the worst has happened. This is the reality that Alta Alexander, owner of the gorgeous boutique Altatudes, is facing. Below is a quick overview of our important discussion.

Opening and Scaling a High-End Women's Boutique

First and only African-American owned upscale women's boutique in AustinLocated in the heart of historic East AustinCurates gorgeous apparel locally to globally

COVID-19 & Fire Disaster Impact

Mandatory shut-down on March 18, 2020Was hopeful to reopen around June 15thOn June 1st, a fire broke out in the business next doorSmoke, soot, and water entered her shop destroying her merchandiseAustin Fire Department has deemed the fire to be arsonLooking to rebuild the brick and mortar shop while also focusing on building out ecommerce presenceTo support the rebuild: Go Fund Me or PayPal

The Strength and Resilience of Entrepreneurship

The heart of her shop was to help women feel confidentFelt as though her dream was demolished with the fireHopeful to rebuild via support of insurance and communityPrepared with the necessary PPE and social distancing optionsWorking with manufacturers and designers to curate pieces Had pieces from local designers such as Nina Means and Amberleaf Curated from countries in addition to the U.S. such as France, Spain, Denmark, Australia, UK, Canada. 

Advice and Insight to Fellow Entrepreneurs

Push through fear - procrastinated before originally opening but just jumped inLaunch your business during COVID regardless of fear an uncertaintyBuilding through fear builds your confidence to accomplish the next thingEnsure your ecommerce platform is up and runningBuild social media presence

Building Clientele

Leveraged earned media strategicallyWorked with the community Take Heart shop created a map for a boutique tour for the area As President of the East 12th Street Merchants Association, she encourages everyone to shine some light on other merchants CNBC reached out to do a piece on Altatudes, Alta worked with them to create a piece on E. 12th Street as a whole. Check out the video here. 

Moving Forward - Goals and Vision

Graduating with her MBA this yearRebuilding her brick and mortar shopBuilding out her ecommerce presence further

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be? Beyonce (although Brian McKnight is a favorite too!)

 Where can people find you online?

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