Hope By The Sea: Hope’s boutique

 

I have been going to Saint Simon’s Island since I was just two years old, and while I very much lament the loss of places such as the St. Simon’s Island Drug Store from the Village, I am very happy to see hip and cute boutiques such as Hope’s filtering in.

I actually remember Hope’s moving in to the area and being SO excited! I’ve gotten quite a few cute pieces from them. So of course you can imagine my excitement when their owner, Hope Kinsman, reached out to me via my Make It Work Molly Facebook page. And even MORE excited when she said she would be giving me THREE DRESSES to help get my page to 500 likes! Wow!

So, to help yall learn a little more about the boutique and the lady… here is the following interview!

 

MIWM: Tell us how you got started? I have been to your SSI store (love it!) but I didn’t know you had one in Jesup til recently. Which one came first?

Hope’s: For years I have been telling my family and friends that I want to open up my own boutique! After waitressing for what felt like forever and saving up my hard-earned money the timing was right, and the location was perfect and before I knew it; Hope’s was born! My Saint Simons Location came first. This is where we tag, price, and swoon over new arrivals! This is also the location of our new warehouse which holds all of the clothes that I hand pick and where we deal with online orders.

MIWM: Tell us about yourself, where you are from, favorite designers, where you went to college, etc?

Hope’s: I am from Daytona Beach, Florida but have resided here as a Saint Simons Local for the past five years and have loved every second!

As far as favorite designers, I am obsessed with Tory Burch; purses, shoes, clothes, I love it all! I also love the fun patterns of Missoni and the simplicity of J Crew, Just to name a few.

MIWM: Do you see yourself expanding your stores past SSI and Jesup?

Hope’s: We are definitely hoping to expand! Our Jesup location has been such a hit that I feel it would be silly not to! We’ve been looking a lot into Statesboro, Jacksonville, or even Valdosta. Our client list is expanding and we are also in the works of opening a website so we are super busy here at Hope’s and we are looking forward to many more years of success!

MIWM: how did you get to St Simon’s? And where did you waitress? That’s really cool that you worked hard and did it on your own

Hope’s: I waitressed at Sal’s Pizzaria for many years, and I knew I wanted more for myself and my family. So once I got into the mindset of saving up for Hope’s it was a long road to the finished product. Saving money and supporting three kids, plus bills, and other items I definitely struggled. It was hard work putting money aside for a dream I wasn’t sure I could make a reality. With that being said, I am so so thankful for everything I have made of myself and my business.

 

MIWM: if you had any advise for someone wanting to own their own business, what would it be?

Hope’s: Well, I’m still learning every day the big and small things of running a business. But if I could give any one piece of advice it would be if you’re going to start something, see it through until the end.

MIWM: What is your average price range?

Hope’s: Our price range varies from 10.00 to about 120.00! And those numbers cover everything in my stores, whether its a pair of earrings, dresses, shoes, etc.

 

Ok everyone! Want to see the dress we are giving away? Here is the picture! Now, if you could do ME a big favor- don’t just get your friends to like my page but also send them to Hope’s!!!