Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Shaheen.
Hi Molly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from the University of San Diego, I worked briefly in politics (my mom is current US Senator and former NH Governor, Jeanne Shaheen) and subsequently at some of Hollywood’s most prominent entertainment companies (WME, 3Arts Entertainment), before deciding that business and fashion would be a better path for me.
In 2017 my husband and I had the opportunity to open our first store in the town that my parents actually met in- York, ME in 1969. They started their life together owning and operating a business right across the street from our first location so I figured it would be good luck for us to do the same. We always had ideas about opening in travel destinations but we wanted to start in an environment that we felt some security in. After our first season we had gained a lot of confidence in our concept and we were ready to push forward. We have spent a great amount of time and energy refining our brand, concept, vendor matrix and with each new location of Wheat, we make the necessary adjustments to help ensure success in that particular destination. With any luck, we will continue to be able to grow in the way that we have.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know if any start-up business is a smooth road. We have definitely had our challenges and we have problem-solved along the way. We have opened stores in less than 30 days (during Covid no less), our clothing line dropped the first collection on the day that all of our stores shut down due to Covid, we have had construction delays, fabric get damaged, shipments go missing. You name it- we have seen it.
There are so many moving parts in any retail business but when you are working with over 200 brands, setting up stores both independently and within hotels, and have locations that are 6,000 miles apart, it really adds to the challenges and dynamics. I guess you can say we love a challenge. We have been incredibly lucky to have developed the relationships and partnerships that we have and we are grateful to be where we are today- bumps and all!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
WHEAT is a rapidly-growing luxury lifestyle brand bringing expertly curated taste to some of the top luxury hotels across the U.S. and Caribbean with our in-hotel boutique spaces. WHEAT is a retail experience that specializes in the luxury traveler. Sometimes that experience brings us into 5 Star 5 Diamond hotels like the Four Seasons Anguilla or sometimes it brings us to a beautiful community and seasonal vacation spot like Nantucket.
In addition to the curated apparel, gifts, home goods, fine jewelry and accessory offerings, we also produce an elevated lifestyle clothing line, The WHEAT Collection. Made in Los Angeles and offering stylish travel wear for men and women, the line also includes a candle and fragrance collection based on our favorite destinations.
We focus on curating spaces that bring the comforts of what you know and love with the exciting new things and products that you can discover. We really pride ourselves in assessing the entire market and looking for the best of the best in all categories- women’s & men’s contemporary, kids, gift, beauty, home, and jewelry. We also design and manufacture an elevated essentials line. Producing everything from fabric to finished goods in Los Angeles, CA with a major focus on sustainability and producing goods that are not only timeless and chic but also much less damaging to the environment.
Aside from the beautiful stores and amazing brands, we bring together- the thing that I am the most proud of with Wheat is our team. We are lucky enough to work with some of the loveliest, smartest, most hard-working women I have ever met and I love having an entire team of women who really support each other and help each other grow. It is so satisfying to see and I am lucky that they want to be at Wheat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thewheatcollection.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewheatcollection/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Shopping—retail/Wheat-2210348149231048/
Image Credits
Courtesy of WHEAT
