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Hi, I'm Debra LaMotta. And this is women's entrepreneurs spotlight. I started this podcast because I believe that every woman entrepreneur has a story to tell. And when we share our stories, we can help the next woman who is starting their own business, or even help someone who has been at it for a while. I hope you can find your takeaway from these stories to help you in your journey of being a woman, entrepreneur. My first interview is with Chaunte Roberts of Le Chic's Boutique. The boutique is located in Smyrna, Delaware at 10 East Commerce street. And if you haven't had a chance to check out her boutique, it is absolutely gorgeous. Her handbags are gorgeous also. And she has many, many items, which you will hear in the interview. They interview is going to be in two parts and part one we'll be launching today, right after this introduction in part two at the end, Chaunte shared some dates that I want to share with you with part one. And those dates are on May 14th. Chaunte is hosting a sip and shop from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. And that is at 10 East Commerce Street along with Blush Salon. So come out support small business support women in business and support having a good time. Again, sip and shop at May 14th at 4:30 to 6:00 at Le Chic's Boutique. And then, on June 18th Chaunte and Le Chic's Boutique will be part of Smryna's Night Out, June 18th. I don't have the time. Um, but you can check Le Chic's Boutique. And I believe it's on her website. You can also reach out in the interview you'll hear the contact information. So I hope you enjoy this podcast. I have many great interviews coming up, and this is part one of a two part interview. Chaunte Roberts of Le Chic's Boutique. Hi, and welcome to woman entreprenuer spotlight. I am so excited to have you today.Chaunte Roberts from Le Chick's Boutique i Smryna, Delaware. So I like to ask two questions of my guests just to get us started. The first one is if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Any where in the world? I think it would be Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colorado. And absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous mountain is talking about bringing your, your center of peace. Okay. mountains it's perfect. If you've never visited garden of the gods is. the place to go. Yeah, I haven't been there so I will have to put it on my bucket list. There are many places and asking this question, question to my guests, I'm getting a lot of great places to go and visit. What's the one in the most important lessons you have learned over the course of your career patience, absolute patience, you know, you're your sense of urgency may not be somebody else's sense of urgency. Sit back, listen, and you be patient with how, how that ball is is, is rolling. If that makes sense. Yes, absolutely. Patients. Absolutely. And I've heard that from other entrepreneurs also in this business. So while I was building and having building my website for my wedding business, Um, I researched for different vendors. I came upon your page with your beautiful bags. And of course, one of the bags that caught my eye was the, she said ye, bag, Being in the wedding business. Of course. Right. So it's an elegant bag for any bride, mother of the bride, mother the groom. And of course we've had some chances to chat before today's interview. So I know that the Le Chic's Boutique is only one of your business. So why don't you tell my listeners about the boutique and your other businesses and how it all came about? So, uh, I started, I have to go back 10 years ago. I had a back injury and I used to be a kitchen designer. And so I decided to listen, listen to my customers. And the one thing that I heard was they hate it's clean. So I started commercial and residential cleaning company. That was 10 years ago. Wow. Then as time goes on, you know, we're not getting in the younger, right. I said, I need a plan B in case my body fails and at 54. it's to that point. So I started my Mary Kay business business too. I have a candle business. I make soy candles and then I have a jewelry business. And then of course the Le Chic's Boutique, which I specialize in a concealed carry bag. Uh, if you have a handgun or have taken that class, then I have something for you to be able to conceal that handgun. But I also carry my candles in there and my jewelry along with other vendors that are. Handmade items should I sell? And the boutique you just opened up in Smyrna, how did you transfer from the, your website into your boutique? And it was, was it something that you had been planning on or was it just something that you just always wanted to do? Something I always wanted to do? Um, it's just, you know, patience, God opened that door and I was presented an opportunity to be able to. Open that fatigue. And did you do all the work yourself on the inside? Cause I have been to the sh to the boutique, which is absolutely gorgeous. And I know that you've renovated it. I don't know. Did you do all the renovation? Did you have open the renovation? It started with help and then I ended up finishing myself. You have a lot of talents that is for sure. And so how have you incorporated Mary Kay, your candles, your bag? And still, um, work your cleaning company. So I do have someone that works part-time in for, so when I'm cleaning, she's in there working the business, the candles that is as the orders come in, I incorporated it really doesn't take that long for me to make the candles, the Mary Kay, you know, that speaks for itself. Absolutely. Yes. Yes. You know, I just, as I have an opportunity to speak to it than I do, so I'm not wanting to push it on you, but I will present it again as you know, the necessary. Right. And, and, and with all these businesses, um, do you feel like they intertwined with each other? I know that. And there you go. So speak to that. How, how, you know, cause you had told me you had worked out really well with, from your cleaning business to somebody wanting you to come home. And tell me about that. So super easy, you know, I'm always about taking care of myself. Oh, a woman. And I'm not saying a man doesn't as well. Um, oh man. Our, our, our plate is full right. As a single parent myself, you know, It's nice to be able to come home to a clean home. Right. And not have to worry about that. So with that in mind, for me to be able to go in and clean your home and then say, oh my goodness, I'm going to take one of your tips. He candles. And sit in a bathtub with your Mary Kay Beth bubbles and do a spa night. Just be able to relax. You don't have to worry about cleaning the house. Okay. Now that you're done with your sponsors. Get out of the bag, put a person or a handbag that you bought from last sheets, boutique and go out on a town. Absolutely. And, and I, you know, I knew in the beginning about all these little businesses, big businesses, little businesses. And when you put it like that, it's like, exactly. One business and you build upon another and you take another idea and you have intertwined it in such a way that it all works together. And if that's one thing that somebody else can take away, I think that's one of the best things that somebody could take away is how to just evolve and put it all together. And that's what you have done. Absolutely. And we can't forget about, you know, you gotta put the jewelry on. Oh, exactly. Right. It's the hope, it's the whole package deal. I can't think of a better, a better plan myself then that in itself, we also talked, you also talked about your mom and. Some of the influences that she had on you, that you've carried over into your work ethic. You want to talk a little bit about that? You know, my mother, she was, she was my rock. She is my backbone and influence. I am the last of nine children. There's a ten-year gap between me and everyone else, but she raised nine children. So the work ethic started very early because my father took on eight children that weren't his, and took care of my mother, who was a stay at home mom for the children. And then I came along. So back in the fifties and sixties, my mother on, uh, she ran an American Legion. She ran a VFW. Wow. She owned her own bar. So she started a. Sewing club called Lillis, SHEEX sewing club. She made and sewed and modeled her own clothing line. So I thought, you know, what, what better way to keep her in my memory. Right then Le Chic's. Okay. Le Chic's Boutique. I love it. It's got a ring to it, right? Absolutely. Oh my. So. You know, she was, my parents were amazing. Absolutely. Miss him to death. God rest her soul. I miss him to death, but they will always. You know, play a part in my everyday life, right? Yes. And, and Lou SHEEX boutique is right there. So that says a lot. And not only has, has your mom inspired you, who else has inspired you along the way? The good Lord, because Lord, absolutely. You are a Testament of. So, let me, let's just take a left here and let everybody know how they can get in contact with you, uh, where they can find you because you are all over. So I am located at 10 East Commerce Street, Smyrna, Delaware. Find me on Facebook at Facebook slash, Le Chic, L E C H I C. BTQ, and then you can find me at Baglady2121 on Instagram. And you have a website. Did you mention that the website Le Chics, L E C H I C S boutique B. T I Q U e.net. Not everything on the website is the store and vice-versa and you need to go to the Boutique. let me tell you, I have been, there it is a beautiful boutique, your handbags or gorgeous, and one can get addicted. Very cool. So, you know, I try to keep it practical. I, as a single mother, I always watched my pennies. As much as one person as the other loves Michael Kors or Coach things like that. Love it. However we got there, we got to stay practical. Absolutely. You know, so my bags range anywhere between. Yeah, the handbags, not the accessories or anything like that, anywhere between 30 to$60. And it's absolutely absolutely affordable. Right? I know a lot of women, including myself, have had to get over hurdles, we've run into walls. We have had a lot of different things happen along the way. What are some of the hurdles that you have come up against and how have you worked through. As a woman entrepreneur. Ooh. Wow. That's a tough one. I think just getting out of your own way. Okay. Not so much everyone else because people, if they want to spend money, they're going to spend money. They're going to figure out how to spend it and get what they want. Right. My own personal hurdle. I was getting out of my own way and getting out of, of the frame of mind that I can't, if you've heard the story of the bumblebee, the Bowlby is not meant to fly. His body is heavier than his wings. Therefore it's not meant to fly, but he doesn't know that he's going to fly anyway. So that's my mentality. You know what. It doesn't matter who, what family member who's going to tell you this, or who's going to tell you this negative, Nancy, whatever, whatever, whatever I am going to take flight, I'm going to make it happen. Stop listening to the negative and listening to all the outside, everything. Cause, cause that can, that can just take you down. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I think for myself too, in the beginning, so somebody starting out in this business, that's a great, that's a great story to tell somebody it's like, here's this bumblebee and what you just said, and that mindset of just, you can do it, just take it and run with it. And you're there you go. You are a good example of that. I hope you enjoyed listening to part one of this two-part interview with Chaunte Roberts of Le Chic's Boutique. And this is Debra LaMotta Women's Entrepreneurs Spotlight. Thank you for listening and tune in next week for part two.