Owner of The Fitting Room in Grayslake says store fills void in market
An interview with Bex Anderson, owner of The Fitting Room in Grayslake.
Q: Describe Your Business.
A: At The Fitting Room, we specialize in bra fittings, hard-to-find sizes, and specialty styles (sports bras, maternity bras, etc.). Our goal is to give accurate fittings, and boost the confidence of every women that walks into our shop, regardless of age, size, physical capabilities, health, and financial status.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: Prior to opening in November of 2012, I worked at a high-end lingerie boutique for 5 years doing bra fittings. I fell in love with being able to help women feel beautiful and good about themselves. The boutique closed, and I knew that there was a huge need for a bra shop in the area, and one that carried more reasonably priced items. So I opened The Fitting Room.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: I think the hardest part has been keeping up with the demand of inventory. My first nine months in business have been extremely successful, but not having the amount of inventory I need in the store can have a pretty negative effect. Additionally, some of the brands that I carry can take up to 6-8 weeks to get certain styles, and sales reps who give me incorrect information, or lose my orders has been a challenge.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: The lives I get to change every day. People who haven’t been correctly fit before really don’t know what they are missing. Women can go decades wearing the wrong size, and once they get put into a great bra, it’s a life-changing experience. They look and feel completely different. It’s truly a mind and body makeover.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be a writer when I was younger. I even studied journalism in college. But once I wandered into that lingerie boutique looking for a part-time job 8 years ago, I was hooked.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Special orders. Event planning. New ideas. Things I forgot to do. Gosh, the list goes on and on. My brain never shuts off.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: I have two big ones. One, make sure you start your business with the enough capital. It’s a very stressful struggle to run a business solely on what comes through the door each day. Two, never, ever give up and always stay positive. Always know that there are infinite possibilities and ways to grow your business. Picture your goals and dreams becoming reality, and don’t give up until they do. It will happen.
— Kim Mikus
Ÿ Every Monday we feature a small, suburban business. We want to hear about yours. Contact us at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
The Fitting Room
Address: 11 S. Lake Street, Grayslake, IL 60030
Owner: Bex Anderson
Year Business Started: November 2012
Web Address: www.thefittingroomboutique.com