In April 2019, Whitney Bates, Carlin Stewart, and Erin Paine launched the Bates Sisters Boutique. Two and a half years later, Erin announced that she was leaving the boutique and that Kelly would be stepping into some of her roles. Today, the Bates shared that they are closing the boutique in November. Their lives have gotten busier as their families have expanded, and they have decided they it’s time to end this chapter. They are offering a 20% off sale on their website.
Sad to hear that they are closing their store. They did a great job with it over the last 6½ years, the clothes were always so pretty, and they were very disciplined running their own business. Congratulations on all their success, but it's understandable with growing families!
ReplyDeleteI looked at their site and the clothes were like they were competing with Wal-Mart. Nothing I wanted.
DeleteGood thing it’s a free country and you don’t have to shop where you don’t want to.
DeleteNever understood why they went into that venture in the first place, other than to make money off their followers. Clothes are available everywhere. They didn't have anything special that you couldn't find elsewhere. They didn't have business or marketing or accounting degrees either. It didn't take much to guess that one day, they wouldn't want to sell clothes any more.
ReplyDeleteThey didn’t need those degrees. The story here is actually that they were successful enough to hire multiple people, support two families, and keep the business thriving for years. They have mentioned having other businesses (as well as investments) that are successful. All signs show they were savvy and successful.
DeleteAlso—they did not force their fans to buy anything. They had a fan base who could choose to buy or not. There are dozens of clothing companies carrying the names of celebrities or well-known personalities. They ventured out to try it, it worked, and now they have the resources to stop running a business and focus on their families.
Good for them!
Lots of people run businesses without those degrees. It’s not that hard with all the resources out there to learn online these days. They seemed to be doing a great job and people liked the cash and carry events.They did it because they wanted to. It’s as simple as that and they can close it now because that’s what’s right for them at this time.
DeleteHey 1:07,what is it with you people? If they make a video they're criticized,if they run a boutique they're criticized,it just doesn't matter what they do, it isn't good enough for you? They need your approval do they?How would you like for them to make a living then since your so smart? What do you for for a living?
DeleteHey 1:07,what is it with you people? If they make a video they're criticized,if they run a boutique they're criticized,it just doesn't matter what they do, it isn't good enough for you? They need your approval do they?How would you like for them to make a living then since your so smart? What do you for for a living?
DeleteWho doesn't go into business to make money?
DeletePretty rude and inconsiderate of you. You have no idea the amount of work they put into their store, not to mention their growing families. The money is none of your business!
DeleteIt is if I’m buying from them
DeleteWhy they started the business? First of all, because they wanted to and they could. Also because it was challenging to find modest dresses at the quality and price point they appreciated. (They didn’t initially sell pants of any kind.) They have nothing against buying at thrift stores, but sometimes you want something new, and that’s where they had trouble finding things made with good fabrics and decent stitching, but that wasn’t too expensive. So they opened their own place and found suppliers with the products they cared about. It’s not hard to fathom. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Deletehonesrly dont think they never made any money.
ReplyDeleteI think they made a little money, but never enough to support their households. The boutique was time consuming so it makes sense to close it and focus on their families.
DeleteThat's a surprise, but I think it's a good move on their part.
ReplyDeleteIt's not surprising. Many small businesses that import merchandise are struggling or closing because of the tariffs. I think it will become especially pronounced after the Christmas shopping season ends.
ReplyDeleteI think they're experiencing dwindling sales and know it's time to move on. I hope they can liquidate their exising stock.
ReplyDeleteThey have become so wealthy from social media that they don't need the boutique anymore.
ReplyDeleteAm sure everything was made in China and tariffs
ReplyDeleteGot to be open for people to go to shop to stay open. I tried to go shopping there. There wasn’t even a sign saying the hours. It was disappointing.
ReplyDeleteIt’s was always an online business, not the kind of store you walk into. The physical location was more of a small warehouse with some desks for the workers, a backdrop for photo shoots for the website. The only time they let customers inside was a few times per year whenever they did what they called a “cash and carry” sale. You had to reserve a spot to be allowed to attend those.
DeleteI think you were confused. It was always an online business, not the kind of store you walk into. The physical location was more like a small warehouse with some desks and computers for the workers, plus a backdrop where they occasionally did photoshoots for the website. (Most of the later photoshoots were outdoors.) Customers were allowed inside only a few times a year during what they called their “cash and carry” sales. If I recall correctly, you had to reserve a spot to be allowed to attend those.
DeleteIt started off as a modest clothing boutique and I purchased from it because it is hard to find longer, modest dresses locally and I was tired of Amazon. It turned into shorts, pants and tops that you can find anywhere so the uniqueness was gone and no reason to shop there.
ReplyDeleteAww that’s so sad
ReplyDeleteAlthough they don't say it, this type of business is pretty labor intensive. I doubt it was profitable enough for them to want to spend a great deal of time on it.
ReplyDeleteSo, what are their husbands going to do for work/income now? Will Evan finally start to be an electrician? Will Zach go back into law enforcement? YouTube channels just don't seem to be able to support their ever-growing families with the lifestyles they lead.
ReplyDeleteME TOOOOOOO
DeleteWait… you think Zach, Evan, and (initially) Chad. relied on the boutique for incomes?? Uhh, no. All three husbands had their own work, and only helped out with boutique stuff when they had time.
DeleteZach was still in law enforcement full-time back when they started the boutique, and Chad had a thriving contracting business. They both just helped out with the boutique when they were able. Evan was in electrician school, so he wasn’t involved with the boutique at the start. Eventually, Zach left law enforcement and became a realtor, and he has been doing that ever since (and started a social media cooking channel last year as well). Chad and Erin decided to move to Florida, so they pulled out of the boutique. Evan graduated and was embarking on his electrician work when Carlin’s seizure disorder cropped up. He had to take leave and stay home to care for her, as well as help with Layla and Zade. That’s really what enabled him to ramp up his work on their social media, teaching himself a ton about shooting and editing, and he has become really good at it. Eventually, Evan took on more at the boutique alongside Zach and the women. He focused on helping with the website, recording BTS videos, and occasionally taking photos when their regular photographers weren’t available or they just needed some quick shots.
Bottom line, none of those men ever relied on the boutique for an income to support their families. Chad kept up his contracting work in Florida, and also opened ChadandErinCo (an online business) with Erin. Zach had two consecutive full-time jobs that provided well for his family, then he added a part-time job last year (for fun, not need). Evan was either in school, or taking care of Carlin (she wasn’t allowed to drive for two years), or working full-time on YouTube/Instagram; the latter two have been carried out while also being an at-home parent along with Carlin.
Zach is a successful realtor and has his YouTube cooking videos. Evan creates his family’s YouTube videos.
DeleteSmall businesses and farmers are having a tough time coping with these crazy tariffs. My daughter runs her own business and she's having to raise her prices to make up for the them. Tariffs end up being a tax on us all.
ReplyDeleteI wish they were honest about the boutique's closure, yes. their growing families can be apart of the reason but if they wanted to take a step back for a bit then employ some people to manage the place until they feel ready to return?. This closure has more to do with the tariffs on China (which is mostly where they source their clothing products from...fast fashion places like Shein and Temu). I think the excuse is a bit cowardly tbh.
ReplyDeleteJust calling them cowardly and dishonest, huh? The kindness in your comment is underwhelming.
DeleteShe is just giving her opinion RELAX
DeleteI'm perfectly relaxed. And underwhelmed by the kindness shown by the original commenter as she calls them cowardly and dishonest.
DeleteI THINK IT TERRIBLE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat's terrible Justine? They have large families to tend too. The choose to close. It's not the end of the world.
ReplyDelete