Daily Inspiration: Meet Adrienne Denniston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Denniston.

Hi Adrienne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Adrienne Denniston and I grew up in Sun Valley, California. I always thought, “I am just a girl, with no college degree to feel worthy of any “REAL” career”. I was WRONG! I am a smart, hardworking and a strong WOMAN who can do whatever I set my mind to! I am 52, and some may say a late bloomer, but better late than never!

I was able to stay home for ten years raising my two beautiful children, John and Ella. I then felt hungry to get back into the workforce. “Who’s going to hiring a mom who has been out of the workforce for ten years?” I have always felt drawn to becoming an entrepreneur, but doing what?

About 14 years ago, I was at the park with my kids and ran into this mom who also had children. She was creating her own schedule working as a Stylist for a women’s clothing line, CAbi. That was it! I can do that! “Oh, but I know NOTHING about women’s clothes!” Well, as you can see, I did not let that stop me!

After working for CAbi for seven years, I felt called to do something more! “Could I open my own Boutique?” My dad always told me, “People will do business with people they like my dear, you are likeable.” Maybe, that was my secret sauce? I was likeable! BINGO!

I then developed the concept and mission for Heart Boutique. Heart’s mission is to delight your sense of style and consistently deliver top-notch customer service. To help you see your inner beauty by building a wardrobe that truly reflects your own personal style and builds confidence to go out into the world and own your true self. Empowering women to smile, embrace and love who they are! The name Heart Boutique was developed in our living room with everyone taking a stab at it!

I started Heart Boutique in the garage at my house. We turned it into a small boutique, and the word got out. I was asked to “Pop Up” at local businesses for the day. I would bring two full racks of clothes and a 6′ table and make a mini-Boutique for the day! I started my own website and ventured into social media. (A full-time job in itself!)

The REAL shift and gift came about three years ago. I was asked if I would like to do a six months “Pop Up’ at The Shoppes at Westlake Village. A spot was vacant, and they thought I might be a fun temporary addition. The idea of doing something that big terrified me! Truly terrified me! I had a brief cry out of fear and dismissed the idea. BUT I went home and could not sleep! The possibility of all the things that could go right made my mind race with excitement! I had a mentor that believed in me just a bit more than I believed in myself that I did not want to disappoint. I knew the thought of NOT trying scared me more than failure, so I went for it!

“IT TAKES COURAGE TO GROW UP AND BECOME WHO YOU REALLY ARE.” – EE CUMMINGS

I did not do this alone! I had two weeks to get this place open! My sister, Shannda, showed up the very first day and never left my side. Between myself, my children, my sister and her boyfriend, Dan and a new friend, Brian (now boyfriend) we worked day and night to get this “Pop Up’ ready!

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs

These past three years have presented some of the most meaningful and difficult growth moments for me. The mentorship and friendships that have come through this process have been life-changing! We are PROUD to say that we are an official business at The Shoppes at Westlake Village. We are our own true success story, working hard every day by letting our passion for the people in this beautiful community lead the way!

“My team, my support system, my Heart Boutique Girls, are truly the heart and soul of Heart Boutique.” – Adrienne Denniston

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has not been easy and maybe that is why it has been rewarding. When you are vulnerable and share your big crazy dreams with people, that presents some challenges and 50 million questions that you have NO idea how to answer! It created doubt and even more insecurities in me! I remember thinking after the 100th question, “How could I possibly know that yet?!? I have never done this before.” The one thing I did know is I am a good problem solver and do not easily give up! I 100% knew with time, attention and resilience, I would figure it out! I knew it was time to pull up my big girl pants and hold on tight!

“Failure is success in progress.” – Albert Einstein

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We specialize in women’s clothing, accessories and home goods. I love the concept of walking out of the Boutique with an outfit that does not break the bank. I love to create stories of outfits for women so when they come in to shop the outfits, our already well thought out for them. For some, shopping can be challenging. Putting together outfits is not every woman’s idea of fun. That is where we come in! That is what I love to do. I love to create a look, a style for them so when they come in, they see an outfit and Voila! It is all done for them. Shopping made fun, affordable and easy! Our Heart Boutique Girls excel in this area!

What matters most to you?
At Heart Boutique, we create an experience and happen to have cute clothes! We specialize in relationships that create a long-lasting business. I am most proud of the team culture we have created. We all work hard to make our community feel welcome as if they have just walked through our front door at our home. When I look for a new team member, I tell her, “Running the Boutique is easy, making people feel welcome is the hard part.” I am not interested in the one-time sell, I am interested in a long-term happy client that feels beautiful when she walks out of our Boutique, that is our secret sauce.

From Our Heart To Yours, The Heart Boutique Girls

Contact Info:

• Email: shop@heart-boutique.com
• Website: www.heart-boutique.com
• Instagram: @heartboutique_
• Facebook: @heartwomensboutique