Community Highlights: Meet Bren Eddings of Bleo Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bren Eddings.

Hi Bren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always dreamed of being my own boss but never really knew what I wanted to be the boss of. I knew whatever business I started, it was going to be something creative, something where I could really be hands-on. I have always been a very artistic and crafty person, and I like to try my hand at several hobbies at once. One day a few months ago it just clicked: I need to start an online store. Ever since Bleo Boutique has been the perfect creative outlet and passion project for me because it allows me to dabble in all of the artistic mediums, I want to try out AND I get to make some extra money through sharing my creations. It’s a win-win to me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, I am still very much at the beginning of my journey and I can honestly say it’s been overall pretty smooth sailing so far. But of course, like any small business owner will tell you, it’s no walk in the park. There are things that pop up during the process that you had no idea you even had to think about, let alone prepare for. In my case, I didn’t want to outsource for anything. I wanted to do everything myself just to be able to say I did it. So I had to teach myself how to design my own website, investigate different distributors for materials, coordinate marketing campaigns, etc. I wouldn’t say I have necessarily struggled, but I would say it has been more of a learning experience than anything.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Bleo Boutique?
Bleo Boutique is my self-owned online store where I sell handmade jewelry items and scented goods. The boutique’s inventory is constantly revolving as many of the items up for shop are limited edition or made in small quantities. Also, new kinds of items are added all the time as I expand; starting soon, Bleo will offer small home decor items and paintings.

I think what I am most proud of overall is just the fact that I have come this far and accomplished this much on my own.

But if I had to narrow down one aspect of the boutique itself that I am proud of, I would say it is the Kansas City Artist Collaborative. KCAC is an initiative I started under Bleo to get smaller local artists together to help one another build our personal brands through networking, sharing design tips, collaborating, and more. It’s a really fun thing to see such creative and talented people working together.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is this: once you find out what you want to do, get serious about it. Seriously.

There will be hard days, days that you question why you’re even doing what you’re doing. It happens to everyone. But if you are diligent and persistent, and you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you’ll be well on your way to where you want to go.

Pricing:

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Contact Info:

• Email: info@shopbleo.com
• Website: www.shopbleo.com
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