Although the seeds of The Collective Rose were planted prior to COVID-19, the home-based online boutique in Chardon Township is especially relevant today for local gift-buying options.
Although the seeds of The Collective Rose were planted prior to COVID-19, the home-based online boutique in Chardon Township is especially relevant today for local gift-buying options.
Owner and Chardon Hilltopper alum Erica Mitchell designed her women’s clothing and accessories store around a “collective of different styles that come together and make fashion.”
“I offer fun and versatile styles with statement pieces sprinkled throughout,” she said during a recent interview. “I have fun holiday deals and steals going on every week until Christmas. I encourage you to shop small when you can. These times are hard for all and helping a small business is like helping a family.”
Customers can order items online to be shipped or for porch-side pickup, Mitchell said, adding she also has an in-home boutique for private shopping by appointment.
“Most of my items can be mixed and matched,” she said. “I like to put things together that you might not necessarily think of on your own. I try to offer items that you may not necessarily see in every boutique, but items are still on trend and on track.”
The fashion-savvy entrepreneur started her business about two years ago with a small inventory and blessings from her husband, Nate, after graduating from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike with a major in fashion merchandising.
“I have always loved clothes and putting different clothing items together and styling them,” Mitchell said. “I knew I had a passion for it when friends and family would reach out to me to ask me for opinions, ideas or to go shopping with them for styling support.”
While attending college, Mitchell — who wears all the hats in her business from buying, to modeling (photo credits to her husband), to marketing — set a goal to have her own boutique one day.
“College was so fun for me, especially because loving what I studied with a goal in mind made it so much more of an experience,” she said.
During those years, she worked at The Limited at Great Lakes Mall until their closing and appreciated the experience she gained.
“I loved being in a huge closet of clothes, basically, and putting items together to help appeal to our customers’ eyes,” Mitchell said. “It also was a fulfilling experience when I built relationships with our customers and they kept coming back, especially if they would ask for me specifically to shop and walk around and have me style them.”
As the idea to open her own boutique took root, Mitchell wrote out several business plans.
“So, over a few tears and laughs, Nate suggested we just go for it,” Mitchell said. “Start me off small and online, with just a small inventory. And that’s just what I did. Totally scary, but so worth it. Collective Rose was here and curating collective styles in women’s clothing and accessories.”
Little did she know then, Mitchell would be ahead of the game in 2020 during a global pandemic. Feeling beautiful is as important as ever right now, she said.
“With a lot of people working from home (due to COVID-19), in the office for a part of the week, or just going to work and coming straight home, women seem to be feeling a little discouraged,” Mitchell said. “But I feel it is important to still wake up every day, tell yourself you are beautiful. Get on the Zoom meeting like a boss, even if that means trendy cute sweatpants paired with a super cute blouse on top.”
She also encourages women to still dress up for the holidays this year.
“They are going to be quite different, but who says you cannot dress up to celebrate at home?” she said. “‘Home for the Holidays’ with style. Put a little pep in your step and celebrate by giving yourself a little extra sparkle in your style. You might be surprised how good it will feel.”
Middlefield resident Lora Liebenauer said she absolutely loves shopping at The Collective Rose and will definitely be doing holiday shopping through the boutique.
Pam Lucas, of Chester Township, said Mitchell’s store offers many “wonderful options of clothing, jewelry and accessories.”
“Erica takes great care in choosing each item for her ‘Roses,’” Lucas said, referring to the term of endearment Mitchell uses for her loyal customers. “What I love most is that there are items for everyone. She carries items that are fun and flirty for the younger crowd, but also carries items that can cross age lines. I have so many items from her shop and have been complimented on them by woman of all ages. I think now, of all times, is a great time to pamper ourselves and remember — if you look good, you feel good.”
A lot of the wholesale designers Mitchell purchases from are based in Los Angeles, she said.
“But sometimes, I come across smaller wholesalers, family-owned, that I like to purchase styles from,” Mitchell said. “I do a lot of my buying online through specific wholesale designers, since I can’t fly back and forth each season for in-person buying appointments.”
It was a longtime goal of hers to attend a big trade show.
“I finally had the opportunity to go last year,” she said. “It was held in Las Vegas at a convention center and that was a moment that I felt like I had made it and want to keep my business going.”
In addition to her online shop, Mitchell attends markets, events and businesses to showcase her inventory (though those have been on hold during the pandemic).
She also has a whole room specifically dedicated to her in-home boutique for customers who would like to come and try on items.
“I feel it is huge when you develop a bond with your customers. Not only are they shopping your items, but they are choosing to shop with you and the relationship they have built with you,” Mitchell said. “More often than not, you will find yourself buying from a business that you not only love their items and service, but you love the person and the face behind the business. I find myself doing this all the time.”
Jackie Tryon, of Montville Township, said Mitchell’s boutique has great class and style.
“The clothing is trendy, yet sophisticated for all ages,” Tryon said. “Within the walls, you will find clothing and accessories like no other. Items that just make you feel good. This is my favorite boutique, absolutely the best clothes.”
Eventually Mitchell hopes to have a brick-and-mortar store.
“Hopefully in two areas — Chardon and then another in Willoughby or Chagrin Falls,” she said. “Who knows, maybe all three.”
Until then, Mitchell is focusing on her online sales and recommends customers use her porch-side pick-up service.
“I encourage this so much because shipping is so expensive on both ends,” Mitchell said. “As you are checking out online, you can choose local pick-up and you will be notified when you order is ready for pick up via email, listed with my address. If for some reason, you need local drop-off, you can always email me directly.
“I offer the opportunity to try on and come shop privately along with offering my own styling advice and ideas,” she added. “I love to create relationships with my ‘Roses.’ I appreciate every single one of them for their support and love.”
Shop The Collective Rose online at www.collectiverose.com, follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram, and email collectiveroseclientcare@outlook.com for questions or private shopping appointments.
