Network Boutiques: Spreading the word
Since Angie Miller’s kids have gotten older, she’s been excited to jumpstart networking again for her self-started business — but, this time, in a whole new way.
Miller, creator of Network Boutiques, said that she stopped going to chamber of commerce meetings and other networking opportunities in Birmingham because of how busy she was when her kids were younger, and instead primarily relied on word of mouth to promote her graphic design and website company, Miller Designs LLC.
But even now, she said she barely has enough time to go to all the in-person networking sessions. With so many other friends and family owning small businesses in the community, Miller started brainstorming what she could do to help everyone network in an easier and more efficient way — especially those who are as busy as her.
“Everyone is networking and marketing themselves on Facebook, why can’t we band together and make a virtual-type strip mall?” Miller said.
That’s how Network Boutiques got started. Eventually, she added the tagline “women marketing women,” because it better encapsulates the mission.
Officially launched in March, the website allows people the opportunity to browse through a showcase of local businesses concepts owned by women, all endorsed by supportive friends and families that know and recommend each other. She wants it to be a way for locals to bring together all their separate worlds into one big group.
“We just kind of switched the whole networking concept where you might have previously shaken hands at the chamber of commerce meeting and now instead we’re taking it to the virtual world,” she said.
Miller came up with the concept about a year ago and spent the winter of 2017 crafting a webpage where people could easily be featured and promoted.
Because it wouldn’t be ideal for everyone to set up a physical retail space, and Facebook is a popular way for people to network, Miller said she thought a website marketing everyone under a name would be the best way to build trust and promote local businesses. That way, people might stumble across more than one business they are in need of while on the website.
Although Network Boutiques is still evolving, Miller said they already they have 20 different businesses on the website.
“From home décor to tanning to photography to travel advice to legal services, we’re kind of all over the spectrum,” Miller said. “
Network Boutiques includes women at various points of progress in their companies, Miller said, but what they all have in common is that they know each other directly or because they’re a friend of a friend.
In addition, Miller said all the women are currently based along the U.S. 280 corridor or Inverness area, minus one member who is located in Huntsville.
Miller said that she is also trying to make sure they don’t have competing businesses in the same market, so although they have a few clothing lines, their retail styles are different. That way, there isn’t a problem with customers having to decide which one to use.
“We want to keep a broad spectrum with nobody competing directly with each other,” Miller said.
Since their website launch party in the second week of March, Miller said they’ve had a couple more women reach out to be part of Network Boutiques.
“It’s exciting to promote each other and see where it goes,” Miller said.
Miller said they plan to host somemore events in the future. To learn more, go to networkboutiques.com.