Today we’d like to introduce you to BreAnn Reed.
Hi BreAnn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Imagine scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and seeing a trailer pop up for sale, the one you have seen in your literal dreams and envisioned owning one day, already painted the color you wanted it too. FOR YEARS, I held in my dream of owning a boutique and running it out of a livestock trailer of some sort and using it as a prop for my photography business, B Photography & Designs. I showed livestock all over the country growing up, loved all of the boutique and western stores that were at these events but never once saw one ran out of an actual livestock trailer. I told my now husband that the only way I would ever actually do this would be if I found the trailer already painted turquoise. Damn if I didn’t, a week after saying that to him.
October 23rd, 2019 – a day I will absolutely never ever forget. That one listing on Marketplace, changed my life forever, in the best way possible. I was the 5th in line trying to get that trailer, I told the lady what my vision was for it and as soon as she heard that, she instantly told me it was mine. The trailer was only 30 minutes from my grandparents house, where I lived at the time, so my grandfather and I hopped in his truck, and went and picked it up. About a month later, after picking up the trailer, cleaning it up a little bit, and trying to decide what I wanted to call my boutique, it hit me, keep it simple, and straight to the point.
November 21, 2019 was the start of The Turquoise Trailer Boutique. Where my love for everything turquoise, boho, western, comfy yet fashionable, and everything in between came to life.
My first event was March 7th, 2020, a week before COVID started (what a time to start a small business). To prep for the event, I wanted to somehow bring a piece of my childhood into it, so, that is where my gently used clothing line started. When I showed livestock, almost ALL of my show clothes were gently used, we couldn’t afford to buy those brand new 7 For All Mankind jeans, or those brand new perfectly starched polo button ups and sweater vests. I wanted every person who walked in my trailer to be able to afford something and feel just as good as the ones who can walk into any store and not have to look at a price tag. I still, years later, offer name brand, gently used jeans under $100. I also wanted to make sure while running and promoting my own small business, I could support and promote others as well, so I have other small businesses and artisians display and sell their items in my trailer as well, and that still stands true in my storefront too!
I have been to many many events since starting, traveled a lot of miles, learned how to comfortably drive and back a trailer up on my own, learned how to load and unloaded my trailer in an impressive time, met some amazing people who have turned into close friends, as well as learned A LOT about owning a boutique.
We havent traveled to as many events as we use to, not because we are slowing down, but because in 2024 we expanded and decided to open up a storefront in a small town called Middletown, Maryland. We have employed 5 amazing employees who have helped keep it running. My husband family and mine both have strong roots in Middletown, so being able to open a store in the town that both of our families have lived in for generations is something special.
Our roots in Middletown are so strong that my husbands great grandfather even owned a ford dealership in the 1930s that sat right down the street from where my store has been homed for the last 2.5 years. My husband asked me to be his girlfriend in the church parking lot before we went to eat at The Main Cup, which is a very popular restaurant in our town that is right next to my store. And, my husbands parents got married at the church that is down the street from my store as well. That town holds a special place in my heart, if you cannot already tell.
I have recently made the decision to close my storefront down at the end of the year. It was a tough decision but one that I think is going to be more beneficial to me, especially since I am about to embark on the most important journey in my life, being a mama. My husband and I have been on our fertility journey for almost 3 years now, we did 2 years of fertility treatment and after the hardest journey I have probably ever been on in my life, we are blessed to announce that we are expecting our miracle baby boy in March. The journey it took me to be a mama, I want to fully embrace it and if that means stepping back from the storefront and just doing my trailer again, like the good ole days, then I am 100% okay with that. Our boutique is NOT closing as a whole, we are just being more intentional with it and going back to how it all started – on the road, at events and online.
I recently decided to open up a wholesale side of the boutique. Some of the items in my boutique I make myself and instead of keeping those unique items to myself, I wanted to share them with all of the amazing boutiques across the country. We are proud to say we have shipping to over 30 of the 50 states! As we close our storefront, I also plan to continue to expand the wholesale side and bring new items to you as much as I can.
The last 7 years have been so rewarding and fun but owning a small business is not easy either, especially in this economy and being surrounded around big box retailers, online and in person!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say for the most part, it has been pretty smooth sailing. Nothing is easy though, especially when owning a small business AND having employees on top of that. Learning how to manage all sides of a small business is difficult – you are your own social media manager, CEO, financial advisor, etc.
I don’t think people realize how much time goes into organizing and managing a retail business. The taxes are horrendous, the amount of things a business owner has to fill out and submit almost monthly is insane to me.
I think my biggest struggle has been the taxes side of it as well as figuring out what things customers want to see in my store.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets my boutique apart from most is that a lot of my things are handemade by either myself or others in the community. For myself, I make our claw clips, perfumes, diffusers, beanies, car charms, and some of our authentic jewelry. I am proud of being able to handmake items I offer because you go into a lot of these local stores and you see zero handmade items.
Of course, what sets me apart is my trailer, there is no doubt about that and actually that trailer has started a trend of others wanting to purchase old trailer and do a traveling boutique just like mine but no trailer will ever compare to the patina look that mine has and the color of course.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, I am not one to really pay attention to apps, books, podcasts, etc. What I mainly do is look at what others across the country are doing and then it sparks an idea in my head.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theturquoisetrailerboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turquoisetrailerboutique/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theturquoisetrailer/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shop.theturquoisetrailer
