BUSINESS FEATURE: Trail entrepreneur gets creative and branches out
By Kyra Hoggan
A Trail entrepreneur is getting creative and diversifying to ensure her company’s success and keep her little part of the city’s downtown thriving.
Lorraine Johnston opened the clothing store Sonsie on Cedar Avenue on May 9of this year, selling new and consignment plus-sized clothing, as well as purses, accessories, shoes, etc.
She said business was not as bustling as she could have hoped. Nothing daunted, she started looking for options.
“A friend of mine suggested, ‘why don’t we have a party at the store?’,” she said, adding that, by ‘party’, her friend meant the kind of parties where individual distributors go to parties to sell their wares ranging from Tupperware to sex toys, and everything in between. “I said, ‘Why don’t we have a whole bunch of parties?’.
“It gives women a night out, promotes my store, and promotes the women who run the parties,” she said. “It’s a win/win/win.”
So she got in touch with the distributors for Stella and Dot (jewelry), 31 gifts (bags, organizers, and much more), Jamberry Nails, Epicure (food products), Younique (cosmetics and skin care), Origami Owl (jewelry) and more.
“We’ll have appys and treats, coffee, etc.,” Johston said. “It’s less structured and more relaxed – more of a drop-in thing, with people chatting and checking out the various parties.”
You can also book a party at the store – create a fun girls night out this holiday season without having to host it yourself.
“You can also get private service – we’ve already had people make appointments to come in when the store is closed to do their shopping.”
She said she has a great selection of cute Christmas dresses, along with shoes, jewelry and accessories.
“I also have the catalogues for the reps I’ve had in, if you want to browse through those either for Christmas ideas or to throw your own party here,” she said, adding Origami Owl will be at the store Nov. 20at 11 a.m., Epicure will be there on Nov. 26 at 7p.m., and Tupperware on Nov. 28 at noon, with more parties slated for December.
“It’s all posted on my Facebook page, you can get schedules and contact information there.” (https://www.facebook.com/Sonsie.Trail/?fref=ts ).
Finally, up until Dec. 15, customers can enter a draw for a gift basket that includes not only Sonsie gift certificates, but also gifts from some of the party reps thrown in as well.
For more information or to book your party, call Lorraine at 250-521-0432.
Comments