Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Boswell-Burns.
Hi Andrea, 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 never thought I’d be running a business, let alone a vintage clothing store meets bar! I have two Masters degrees and in my former life was a Neurologic Music therapist and then a Director of Education: specializing in Musical Theater. Covid, for our family like most, brought career and life changes, at the time it was financially, and household driven, but then slowly eeked into an opportunity to create a path completely chosen by me and the things that brought me joy.
I started developing my list of joys and kept telling me my husband and my sister that all I really wanted to do was drink and shop! haha But seriously, those were two of my absolute favorites and if I could build a business around those life would be good.
Not long after that, my sister helped me create a business plan, my best friend helped me create a logo and a website, and I had to start shopping!
My first “pop-up” was held in my home, 4 of my mommy friends helped me change our Westwood home into a two story version of what Hula Hoop is now and we sold $25 tickets on Eventbrite, which paid for your food/drink and access to my “shop.” That weekend was full of joy *and panic attacks, but really ended up being proof of concept.
6 months later I found what is now our Midtown store and began creating what is now Hula Hoop KC!
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?
I wouldn’t say it was a smooth road, but I am a theater girl and know how to fake it until I made it. Biggest struggles included getting our liquor license, creating and building a brand–this was probably the biggest thing that I didn’t know how to do!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I LOVE shopping, but more than anything I love it when clothes tell a story. I’m sure that this stems from my time as an actor/performer, but the history in clothing excites me–especially when it also helps to retell it in my own way, while saving our planet.
I love the thrill of the hunt–thrifting, estate sales, garage sales, etc. I LOVE to dig. So, I’m always game for a mission to find the best vintage piece, the perfect accoutrement for a themed party, or the perfect modern accessory!
I’ve been every size in the book and pride myself on being size inclusive–we carry all ages, sizes, and styles. Men, Women, and Kids up to 5XL.
I think the thing that sets us apart the most, is that Hula Hoop is not just a boutique, it’s a community. We believe in so much more than finding something cute and you buying it–we want human experience, interaction, joy and believe that can be found in our Barbie Dreamhouse. You come in, you have a special drink, you engage with us, the clothing, etc. — it’s Cheers meets Barbie!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t really think of myself as a risk taker, especially since I am so type A, but I would say that Hula Hoop was a risk that paid off!
As an entraprenuer my biggest risk was to open a second store–in Zona Rosa. It was hard work, it didn’t necessarily pan out the way that I thought it would, but now that it is over it is nice to see how much I grew from the experience. I definitely consider myself more of a business owner now that I have been through that. I also appreciate my one store and the joy that it brings–there won’t be any additional Hula Hoop stores in the future. haha
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hulahoopkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hulahoopkc/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HulaHoopKC
