#GIRLBOSS SPOTLIGHT: SAGINE PIERRE
/Written by: Kabrea Thomas
Meet Sagine Pierre: She's a mom, wife, sister, friend and oh did we mention she's a celebrity stylist as well! With over 20 years of retail experience read all about how this #girlboss was able to start her own boutique 'Sage & Angie Boutique' from scratch - with just a dream and a gift to making women feel beautiful on the inside and outside.
Kabrea Thomas:
What inspired you to start your business? What’s the story behind the name of your boutique?
Sagine Pierre:
I have been in retail for over 20 years, and I was really good at it. Particularly at choosing products. Although I was not a buyer, when I would select pieces for myself where ever I shopped people would always ask me " Oh my God where did you get this? And how can I get it?" Sometimes my pieces were so old that I would forget where I got it. And in essence I really shopped everywhere (well I use to). So I said to myself I am going to buy the pieces I love and open an online store. And now when people ask me where can they get my pieces I can tell them to go to www.sageandangie.com.
When it comes to the name of the boutique a lot of people from home call me Sage, and I also have a daughter named Sage Charles. So Sage is for both of us and my other daughter's name is Angelina. And that's where the Angie comes from.
KT:
You go above and beyond for your clients, and I think that’s an important factor for many up and coming entrepreneurs to know. Tell us about a time where you went above and beyond for a client? How did it make you feel?
SP:
First and foremost customer connection has always been my strength, even when I worked for a big corporation. There was a customer of mine, who apparently wanted something from the boutique. However prior she had something custom made for her baby shower and on the day of it wasn't ready. This customer called me and told me that she doesn't have a minute, can't even get to the mall, and has no idea what to do. And I told her "Okay, how long do you have?" She only had less than an hour, her hair wasn't even done, and yet had so much left to do. After the conversation I told her I'll be on my way. I packed a bunch of dresses that I thought would fit, and drove to Brooklyn with the pieces. It was important for me to make sure that she felt special on her big day. In the end she was able to find a piece that she absolutely loved. And I would do it all again in a heart beat!
KT:
What does support mean to you and why do you think it’s important for the community to support small business owners?
SP:
Small businesses are really the heart of this economy. When you support a small business you support a dream. And it is not easy, it may look easy. I know a lot of us may show only the icing on the cake, and it may look like why should I give this business my money but behind the icing on the cake there is someone behind the scenes making sure that cake is being made and doing everything that they can to make sure the cake is being made. No one is saying that you're going to replace your way of shopping. I could never compete with the bigger corporations and their discounts. But what you can do is make it a point that once a season you spend $50 at a boutique. Just once a season, can you imagine!? If you have access to 5,000 friends on Facebook and they each spend $50 each season, that's only $200 they're spending with you. That small change will truly help grow your business. The other way you can also support is by sharing content. If you have an idea or any opinions give your two cents. People may not purchase pieces from the boutique for many reasons. It could be the style or even the price. But by you sharing our content to your Facebook friends you're introducing my business to 100 more people I wouldn't have known. And out of the 100 I might have 1 or 2 customers. And that's why sharing content is important.
KT:
You’re an entrepreneur, a mom, a sister and a wife. You wear so many hats, how you able to balance out your life?
SP:
I really just take it one day at a time, and focus on what I want to achieve. And having a support system helps! I'm also an auntie and guess who picked up my niece from school today? I did! And I'm there for them. You can't make it about being too busy. When it comes to my family members if it's an important event I'm canceling, or getting my shift covered to make sure that I am there. I think just genuinely caring, and knowing what you can do and trying to make an effort. Some days I just want to go and crash (like today) but I went and had a meeting with my mentor earlier today, then I went to pick up my niece, and I rushed back to the boutique to have lunch and conduct the interview with you. And when I get home I still have to do homework with my babies. Around 8 or 9pm I would put the phone down and make my husband think that he's the only person in the world. You just have to focus on the task at hand and ask for help as well as know what you can and cannot do. Also keeping a to-do list, I know it sounds cliche (and I'm not a writer) but by having a list of things that you need to do you can easily tackle what you can.
KT:
Who/What is your inspiration behind the style of clothing at the boutique?
SP:
In the beginning the inspiration use to come from things I loved, and as I settled in a bit I realized I was a bit too bold than most people. For example dressing down for me means a dress. That's usually me coming to work everyday. When I walk into most boutiques I would see someone wearing ripped jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of uggs - something very dressed down. But I'm usually not dressed down. As I settled in the area more, I realized it's not about me it's about what the customer feels comfortable wearing. I'm small waisted, but I've also learned that there are some people who are heavy in the mid-section so when I shop I put them into consideration. Now I buy based off of what the customers are responding to more than anything. And obviously we do follow trends, more importantly it's about what the customers love. When I'm shopping I usually have 2 to 4 customers in mind, and that way when I get the pieces I let them know that I was keeping them in mind when I selected this piece, I'll show them a picture and ask when can they come in to try it on.
KT:
Beside clothing vendors, you feature a few other vendors at the shop. Tell us a little bit about a few of the vendors featured at your boutique.
SP:
Just so you guys know you are welcome to bring your products here, and when I say it I think people think I'm just saying it just to say it. But I mean it! If you have a product that you want to sell or showcase, as long as it's tasteful and done correctly just bring it. Unfortunately a lot of small businesses or designers that are starting up may not have the space but I do. So if you want to showcase your pieces here you're welcomed to do that. We do feature Signature Scents by Hand, we've had the scented body butters for a year now. It's just an added touch, after customers use the restroom I offer them some cream and they love it. And I even went out and got a custom scent which you made for me. The other day a customer came in and said I want two of whatever you sold me last time. So she came in and bought two of the body butters. We also have a lot of pictures here (taken from a good childhood friend), I'm from Haiti and so these pictures features women from back home in Haiti. I do have a few clothing designers and jewelry designers that showcase their pieces here. I like to work with local people and like to feature things that are authentic and handmade not massed produced so to speak.
KT:
What’s your favorite go to piece that is currently in stock at the boutique?
SP:
We have a gorgeous skirt that I wore for New Year's Day, it's a high waisted leather skirt. When in doubt I do black, and a little black dress never hurts. Throw on a nice piece of jewelry and you're ready to go.
KT:
What are some goals you have for the Sage & Angie Boutique, as well as for yourself for 2019?
SP:
I would like to do a few pop up shops, one out of the country, one in Brooklyn and two out of the state. I would also like to pick up 50% from last year in numbers. And I would like to have a bigger presence online. So these are really the main goals. And of course we will continue to do lots of events - that's not going away I love LOVE doing events. And currently we are looking for brand ambassadors to help use reach a few of these goals.
If you haven't yet make sure you're following the Sage and Angie Boutique on Facebook and Instagram for that extra 10% off - tell them that we sent you!
Sage & Angie Boutique
235 Nassau Blvd
West Hempstead, NY 11552