That's a Wrap on the First Quarter: March 2022 Newsletter
Where has the time gone?
I feel like 2022 has just begun, yet, here we are moving in to the 2nd quarter. Time is flying but I am excited to finally share with you our first Newsletter of 2022.
The arrival of spring allowed many opportunities to blossom🌺 at Bohemian Beach Boutique and enclosed, especially for you my dear Tribal reader, are the March highlights.
RISING STAR BUSINESS AWARD
I am so honored to announce that I, as a new business owner, I have been nominated for an award, being the Rising Start Business Award. This award is presented by PARO, a not-for-profit organization that assists women entrepreneurs within the Province of Ontario.
The Rising Star will be awarded to a current woman leader, or an aspiring future leader, who is starting out in business, managing her own business, and quickly rising through the ranks. Having only recently founded Bohemian Beach Boutique, I feel incredibly privileged to be recognized for my sustainable standards and mission to advocate for women with Boho fashion and beachwear that evokes confidence. Being nominated for this award means that my mission is being noticed and that fashion CAN be blind to prejudice!
The Winner of the Rising Start Business award will be announced on April 28th at the PARO Women Leaders - A Sustainable Future Event & Awards. Whether or not I win, it is a privilege to be nominated and I would like to express a heart-felt thank you to everyone who nominated me. I am grateful to have your support and encouragement so early on in my entrepreneurial career.
I will share the outcome of the awards ceremony in our April Newsletter.
PARO BUSINESS GRANT
Earlier this month, I made my first ever pitch for a business grant. I don’t know about you, but I have not made a formal presentation since I was in university; Talk about nerve wracking! They say practice makes perfect and while I don’t believe in perfection, it certainly pays off. I am happy to share that Bohemian Beach Boutique came in second place for the Southeastern district of Ontario, winning a small business grant.
During the pitch, there were some incredible business ideas presented by incredible women entrepreneurs. I thought for sure that some of these other women would take home the grants. It is truly validating to know that my passion to advocate for women through fashion was heard and that Bohemian Beach Boutique is not perceived as ‘another online fashion business’. My mission far exceeds an online retail shop, and I am honored that the panel of judges saw that.
As a result of the success of this grant pitch, I have been encouraged to pitch for additional funding and will, therefore, apply to pitch with TiE Ottawa later this year. Stay tuned for the preparation and result of this 2nd pitch.
All funds awarded via grants will be used to further advance my body positive moment throughout Canada, North America and around the World.
NATIONAL WOMEN’S SHOW - OTTAWA
Since the end of February, I have been busy preparing for the National Women’s Show which is taking place in Ottawa on Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th.
Bohemian Beach Boutique has been provided with an opportunity to present its first fashion show, bringing its body lovin’, Boho women’s fashion to the runway!
As a result of this opportunity, I have been privileged with meeting and working with some of the most beautiful, kind-hearted and confident women who will be modeling on the runway. It has been an honor to host fittings, share conversations with and receive advise from these experienced women.
If you are in the Ottawa area, please come check us out at the Shaw Centre on the main stage during the following times:
Saturday, April 9th – 2:15 pm
Sunday, April 10th – 12:00 pm
Although I do not have a booth for this event, I will be on site, near the main stage on Saturday and Sunday to meet you and address any inquiries that you might have. This is also a wonderful opportunity for you to meet other local women businesses owners, shop, drink and enjoy a fabulous day out with the girls!
Purchase your tickets at www.nationalwomenshow.com. Order two tickets and save $5 with code MAINSTAGE22
IN-HOME VIP SHOPPING PARTIES
Bohemian Beach Boutique is proud to present VIP Home Shopping Parties to women in the Ottawa and Gatineau area!!
Grab your girls and a bottle of wine, and indulge like a celebrity with a private shopping experience from the comfort of your own home.
What exactly does this mean?
Well, this means that you have the luxury of a girl’s day, or evening, in, avoiding crowds, shipping delays and the general uncertainties of online shopping. Bohemian Beach Boutique will come directly to you so that you can take your time to browse, touch and try before you buy. I will be on site to directly answer any questions that you have about our products, and recommend different styling options to suit your individual personality.
If you would like more information or be the FIRST to schedule your personal VIP Home Shopping Party, please email info@bohobeachboutique.ca.
NEW COLLABORATIONS
As a result of all the exciting happenings throughout the month of March, I have had the opportunity to meet some other business women in Ottawa, with whom I have been blessed to collaborate. I would like to take a moment to share two of them with you today:
Chalk it up to Julie
Chalk it up to Julie is a solution based, sustainable businesses that truly adopts the three RE words that our planet so desperately needs:
#Rethink
#Reuse
#Recycle
Julie is a talented artist who gets wild with her paint strokes and creates incredible results. She refurbishes and paints unique and antique furniture, providing you with custom décor to match your personality and home. Putting heart and soul into each piece she crafts, means that in addition to adding a custom piece to your home, you are filling your home with love!
Having met Julie, there is no doubt that she is a compassionate individual who wears her heart on her sleeve and believes in giving to people and planet. Julie is currently collaborating with the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Kemptville, offering painting lessons and classes, with a portion of proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. If you are in the Ottawa area and would like to attend one of these classes, helping Julie give back to her community, please check out her Facebook page below to learn more.
I am ridiculously excited to see Julie soar in her business and to share her talent in future Bohemian Beach Boutique events and photoshoots!
Check out her work and follow along here:
Leslie Boller Photography
Leslie is a talented photographer in the Ottawa area with a passion for capturing cherished family moments and boosting women’s confidence in boudoir photoshoots.
I was fortunate to have Leslie volunteer to model in our National Women’s Show runway and quickly learned how much we share in common, including our love of Boho life. I look forward to working with Leslie on future photoshoots, having her as both a model and photographer. We are currently discussing a potential Boho Boudoir photoshoot to take place later this year. Stay connected so that I can update you as details emerge.
I am so grateful to have met Leslie, who was happy to share her expertise of the runway with me. I am so happy to be able to support her growing photography business and wish her all the success in the world!
Check out her work and follow along here:
SPRING and SUMMER 2022
Earlier this month, our new Spring and Summer 2022 collection started to arrive, with fabulous floral prints and unique Boho cuts for the spring and summer months. I invite you to browse the Spring and Summer collection here.
We anticipate more products arriving throughout the months of April and May. Keep your eyes on your inbox to be the first to receive new product updates.
That’s a wrap for March but keep your eyes on your inbox. NEW exclusive promotions, blogs and products to be released throughout the month of April!
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Stay beautiful+UNCONVENTIONAL and know that you are loved at Bohemian Beach Boutique!
XOXO
Kaitlin