Ask Alice: 5 Ways to Kick Start Your Business in 2019

It’s hard to believe that Pink Boutique actually started in a living room seven years ago and is now a thriving fashion business selling the latest clothing and shoes online. And it’s all down to our very own Boss Babe, Alice Hall, who is showing us girls that it can be done! So, to help aspiring business owners this year, we asked Alice what are the 5 ways to kick start your business in 2019?

1. PLAN!

    

   View this post on Instagram

    

   When you’re scared to take the leap, ask yourself whether you’ll regret it 12 months from now.

   A post shared by Boss Babe (@bossbabe.inc) on Jan 15, 2019 at 4:04pm PST

Nothing good ever comes out of rushing. Planning is a crucial part of getting your business going! What’s your business going to be? How much do you need to start up? What roles will this include? “There’s so much to think about when you first start a business, so the best thing to do is sit down and plan – to really get your head around it all!”

2. Rome wasn’t built in a day

    

   View this post on Instagram

    

   Repost from the best @bossbabe.inc - I spent 4 years barely going out, drifted away from friends because they were partying hard and I wasn’t interested. I worked early til late every day, including weekends. My company was my baby - it consumed all of my time, all of my thoughts and energy. - Back when we started I did every function in the business. I drove to manufacturers and put stock in the back of the car, ironed it all, took pictures of it, wrote all of the product descriptions, did the listings (on eBay), built our first website, did all of the marketing, packed the parcels, sent them out, answered the customer queries and opened the returns. Luckily years later we have managed to build a fantastic team of 70 people who are able to run the show and now I mainly focus on Creative sign-off and strategy, and I was able to have a baby. - Am I bothered that I missed those nights out years ago? Not in the slightest. - If you are hustling right now for the future, putting in the hours and exhausting yourself, pouring your heart and soul into a business that you’re running on the side... I salute you. I promise it will pay off, and if it doesn’t work out at least you know you tried your absolute best.

   A post shared by Alice Rowen Hall (@alicepinkboutique) on Aug 10, 2018 at 1:22am PDT

You need to prepare yourself for failures and setbacks. It isn’t easy starting your own business, but with time, patience and perseverance, you will get there! “I started with £90 and a couple of dresses that I sold on my EBAY account. It was a lot of hard work, especially the running back and forth to the post office, but now I have my own team and a multi-million company to show that 7 years of perseverance does pay off!”

3. Find your niche

    

   View this post on Instagram

    

   I’ve been in the PB Design Studio this morning looking at New Season. Who’s loving these colours? 🔍 Speakeasy Trousers £39 at www.pinkboutique.com 💕

   A post shared by Alice Rowen Hall (@alicepinkboutique) on Jan 8, 2019 at 9:56am PST

In a world where the internet has enabled more people to start their own business, it can be difficult to breakthrough. Therefore, you need know exactly what differs you from competitors. “At the beginning of my career, I saw a gap in the market for fast glam fashion. Since I’ve always loved fashion and being super glam, I knew that was the direction Pink Boutique would take!”

4. Make yourself noticed

    

   View this post on Instagram

    

   Werk werk werk 📄 Starting to feel a lot more confident with my curves since working with stylist @helenleeloves. She’s helped my embrace my hourglass body shape and always, always wear things that go in at the waist! I’ve never been body confident so running this Instagram was a little daunting at first, but what a lovely community it is here. Gorgeous comments and messages 💖 Would you like to see more features about figuring out your body shape and what to wear for it? Let me know by leaving a 👌 emoji below... - 🔍 Black Heart Stretch Skirt £25 🔍 Girl Boss T Shirt £15 🛍 Shop now at www.pinkboutique.com

   A post shared by Alice Rowen Hall (@alicepinkboutique) on Jan 17, 2019 at 3:39am PST

Once you’ve found your niche, make sure you own it! Put your stamp on it, to make everyone know you’re the best at what you do! “Our aim is to be the best fast glam fashion company, and to do that we use the most beautiful models, insane makeup artists and gorgeous products for every shape. We want our girls to feel super glamourous at all their events to boost their confidence and self-love. That’s how we make ourselves noticed. How would you make your business unique?”

5. Believe in yourself

    

   View this post on Instagram

    

   So so proud of our first glam & girly catalogue. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen! 💕 - - - #ecommerce #fashion #pinkboutiqueuk #business #journey

   A post shared by Alice Rowen Hall (@alicepinkboutique) on Nov 27, 2018 at 1:49pm PST

“One of my favourite quotes is ‘you’ve got to get up every morning and make sure you don’t quit on yourself’ which is a vital mindset to have when starting your own business. It’s so easy to be discouraged if it’s not going exactly to plan, but believe in yourself and miracles will happen!” Head over to Pink Boutique to see how Alice’s company has become so successful and follow her journey on Instagram today to get the latest tips and advice on starting your own business in 2019! You can also shop her favourite Pink Boutique items on the website by visiting the ‘Alice Loves’ section. And remember - This is your year babe, go for it!