Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantinique Anderson.
Hi Shantinique, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Yes, while my journey started in August of 2017, which was the launch of FOS COUTURE. I just want to add that I always loved fashion, style, and modeling since I was a young girl. I would walk in my mother’s heels, always had to have lip gloss and a purse to match, and whatever else a young lady needs that will start her journey to becoming a fashionable woman someday. As I grew up as a teen, I would watch America’s Next Top Model religiously and study the way they walked, and I would by now have my own heels to practice my runway walk. I would also start the infamous model one hand on the head and one hand on hip pose while dressing up in my more formal clothing at this point convinced, I’ve been chosen to compete on ANTM. However, as I got older, I knew that I was a bit height challenged knowing that you needed to be at least 5’10 to do runway while I stood a strong 5’3. However, this was, of course, before the inclusivity of the modeling industry as we know it today.
Now let’s fast forward to the year 2012, my high school graduation year. After graduation, I started college immediately, and I seemed to have left quicker than I got in. I was honestly not ready to be in debt for the rest of my life, so I went back home. I thought I went on a little break, but that ended being for good. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew I wanted and needed a job. So, I started working at a women’s clothing store in the mall later that year, and I was so elated not knowing this was a start to my very own women clothing store. I worked here for a year in a half to two years. All while there I took each pebble and used it as a stepping stone. From dressing mannequins at 5:00 am to folding jeans and tops, to bringing out shoes to customers, to merchandising the accessories for I was the lead in that department.
This experience working with such amazing women learning, working together, having a ball, and looking good while doing it was awesome. Now being there I knew exactly what I wanted to do as I helped each customer find outfits for dates, parties, sweet sixteen you name it I found a fit for them, along with some accessories of course. I manifested on my Instagram while working their future boutique owner in my bio because I have always thought being a boutique owner was so dope, especially the one I would shop in. So, I put it out there, and while working here and there and everywhere in between I finally started my research in year 2016 on how to I start an online women’s clothing boutique. As you know, that was pretty extensive never doing this before and not knowing what I needed to do, but I was ready to embark on this dream of mine that was becoming reality.
I had entrepreneurs around me my whole life starting with my mother that has been a cosmetologist all her life and to later on my dad owning his authority to his own truck. My work ethic and drive was there from my parents but opening an e-commerce website was bit out of their scope. This was quite alright with me because I knew I just had to do the research for the licensing and permits needed, and on August 18, 2017, I launched my online women’s clothing store. My heart filled with gratitude, and my family and friends’ faces were filled with congratulatory smiles. My website was up and running, and I had merchandise at the pop-up space I rented for the celebration that day. I would travel throughout the Metro Detroit area going to pop-up events amongst other entrepreneurs showcasing their products and/or service.
Unbeknownst to me, two years later, I would open the dream store I manifested into an actual brick-and-mortar on June 30, 2019. The store was located in Southgate, MI. I was overwhelmed and in disbelief that all I could’ve imagined came to fruition, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself throughout the entire process. I met some amazing women, and the greatest experience that will last me a lifetime.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Even though I was filled with bliss, it was short-lived by the most unexpected global pandemic of Covid-19 virus that completely altered us in more ways than one. Later that year it was confirmed it made it the States and life as we know it would never be the same. So, starting in March of 2020 we were in a mandatory shutdown, and especially us non-essential businesses. This caused so many closures of huge corporations, and even small business owners like myself to make an executive decision to close. I honestly didn’t know when the shutdown would be lifted, and constantly paying overhead to a space that wasn’t in use was asinine.
So, I would say that it was most definitely not a smooth road, but the pavement got better because I kept going. I still had my online website of course that remained and still remains even when the physical location was there, I never shut that site down for any reason.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
FOS COUTURE BOUTIQUE is a women’s clothing store. We have pieces that are in a size small-3x. We specialize in different unique pieces that you don’t see everyone wearing, but most pieces are affordable enough to buy right away, and if you can’t we offer multiple payment options. We are most proud of our “Rich Taste Dress” that was worn by Ms. Gizelle Bryant. This was a huge highlight in the career of FOS COUTURE, this was a moment when you come to realization that anyone’s reachable you just have leap and go for it.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I just see so much in the social media universe taking over the fashion industry like we already see with TikTok Instagram and Facebook reels keep everyone engaged. So, staying as innovative as possible is the best way I see my brand going in the upcoming years that will keep us current. I learn every day and study new ways to reach my audience, and it opens up my creative eye but in the technical aspect and I love it. I will like to step in my styling era because that is something I am very passionate about. I would also like reach some more of my most favorite celebs with styles and looks that incorporate my pieces. I just want ultimately make sure I’m fulfilled genuinely in my craft.
Contact Info:
- Website: shopfoscoutureboutique.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/foscoutureboutique?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foscoutureboutique?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: tiktok.com/@i_speakfashion__
Image Credits
Taizon X. Taylor
