Voss Boss Entrepreneur Spotlight Series — Stevie Turley, Owner Of La Tee Da
For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media can be an absolute game-changer! All it takes is one viral post and a business can suddenly take off.
At Like A Voss Inc., we’re highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs who are killing the online game. This week’s spotlight is on Stevie Turley, Owner of La Tee Da!
La Tee Da is a locally owned and operated lingerie store in beautiful downtown Campbell River, BC.
At La Tee Da, supporting women is our business. Owner Stevie Turley and her staff believe that women of all ages, shapes and sizes should be empowered to feel good about themselves. We work hard to source and stock all of the best lingerie, sleepwear and shape wear brands.
We pride ourselves in offering warm, personalized service to all of our customers. Our team of professional fitters will work with you to find the perfect lingerie for you. Finding the ideal bra for every customer is not only a commitment, it has been the cornerstone of our business since we opened in 2007.
Our CEO Mandi interviewed Stevie about her secret to success in business and in life, and also went down to the shop and got some amazing bras (LOL). We also got some awesome insights into what they think makes social media such an effective tool in business.
A Little Bit About Being a Female Entrepreneur
1: How long have you been in business?
I have been in business in Campbell River for 30 years. I opened La Tee Da Lingerie Boutique 14 1/2 year ago. We opened our doors on February 14th, 2007.
2: What made you decide to break away from the 9–5 and open up La Tee Da?
I moved to Campbell River in September 1990 and there were not many opportunities in my field and so decided to try something new. My partner, and now husband Jack, and I opened Gourmet Essentials in May 1991 which we owned for 27 years. Once Jack joined the business full time and our children started getting a little older, we decided to open La Tee Da Lingerie Boutique. It was a great business opportunity as there was not a lingerie store in town at that time that could service the women of Campbell River.
3: What do you love most about being a female entrepreneur?
I would say connecting with other women. The lingerie fashion industry is all about helping women and connecting with other women. There are so many different levels to work with women whether it is in the store, in our business community or in the lingerie industry.
4: What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as a female entrepreneur? Something you did not foresee when you decided to go into business for yourself?
The hardest thing would be trying to balance being a mother and a full time entrepreneur. When I started out in business 30 years ago, I wasn’t married and didn’t have children. It is hard for women to balance work and family at the best of times but running a business is even harder. When you work for yourself you work on and touch every aspect of the business. It is your investment. Running your own business is not a 9 to 5 job. It does not necessarily stop at the end of the day. Trying to find that time and not have it interfere with your time with your family can be a juggling act.
5: What is one thing about working in the lingerie industry that people would be surprised to learn?
I think what most people find surprising is the complexity of a bra when purchasing one. It is not the same as buying any other piece of clothing. It is a working piece of clothing with a very specific fit. Bras are literally engineering feats. A luxury bra can have up to 60 individual parts for an underwire bra and a fast fashion bra can have up to 23 that a skilled seamstress has to assemble. In comparison a t-shirt can have as little as 2 panels in total. All this makes a difference on fit, support, comfort and style. Your best friend’s favourite bra might work for her but that does not mean it will work for you. Women are unique in shape within their size and also their wants and needs differ depending on a woman’s size, body shape, age, and lifestyle.
And Now Onto The Social Media Questions!
6: Do you have a favourite social media platform? Why?
I would say Instagram is one of my favourite social media platforms although we also consistently use Facebook too. I do find that using both platforms is beneficial as I think you are targeting a different demographic. Instagram seems to have followers who are looking at trends and are more engaged and interactive.
7: What made you decide to start using social media as a way to promote your company?
Social Media is just a sign of the times. People have transitioned from getting their news and information from traditional print to online. It only made sense that businesses would move their advertising tools in the same direction.
8: How has social media impacted your business? Would you say that it’s an effective marketing tool?
Social Media platforms such as Instagram gives us an opportunity to connect, interact, and inform our clients and potential customers in an immediate way that print just can’t do. We can show customers what is new and what is happening at La Tee Da in real time.
9: What advice would you give to other businesses and entrepreneurs who want to use social media as a way to connect with customers?
Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Keep it relative to your business. You are trying to engage people and you only have so much time as they scroll through content.
Connect with La Tee Da
Know A Voss Boss?
Do you know a female entrepreneur who would like to be featured here (and on our website/social media)…? Comment her name and we’ll reach out, you can also nominate yourself.
