Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Vazquez.
Hi Christie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always had a love for fashion. I started my journey studying fashion in New York before finishing college at Towson University. After graduation, I worked in the fashion industry in New York, gaining experience that ultimately gave me the confidence to take a chance on myself and open my first Brightside location in Federal Hill.
Since then, Brightside has grown and evolved tremendously. We’ve expanded to multiple locations, built a strong e-commerce business, and moved beyond simply carrying other brands. Today, we design and produce many of our own pieces through Brightside the Label, with a huge focus on creating unique, fashion-forward game day apparel. It’s been incredible watching something that started as one small boutique grow into the brand and community it is today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. We’ve been in business for almost 16 years, so naturally there have been a lot of ups and downs along the way. We’ve opened locations, closed locations, made mistakes, changed directions, and figured things out as we went. We made it through COVID and all of the challenges and changes that came after it, which was a huge one for us. Owning a small business is constantly changing and there are always new challenges, but we’ve managed to get through every season of it. Almost 16 years later, we’re still here, still growing, and I’m really proud of that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Brightside ?
Brightside is a women’s clothing and accessories boutique, but over the years we’ve really grown into so much more than that. We have multiple locations, our online store, and our own label where we design and produce a lot of our own pieces. We’ve become especially known for our game day collections and creating pieces that feel fun, different, and actually fashionable.
What I’m most proud of is honestly the growth of our label and the community we’ve built around Brightside. After almost 16 years, we still have customers who continue to show up, shop with us, share our stuff, and support what we’re doing. Seeing people get excited about something we designed ourselves is probably one of the coolest parts of what I do.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to not be afraid to take chances. Sometimes you have to take a gamble and trust yourself, especially when it’s something you’re really passionate about. I think passion is contagious, and when you truly believe in what you’re doing, other people can see that too. Give it everything you have, work really hard, and eventually that shines through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.shopbrightside.com
- Instagram: Brightside_boutique
