Meet Katherine Pompa | Ha.Ba’s Buyer & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katherine Pompa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, how do you think about risk?
I personally don’t really like the idea of “risk”. I am happy living within my own comfort zone and let’s be honest, most of us do. So I find it quite funny that I decided to own a business.

In my mind owning your own business is one of the most riskiest things you could do. If you fail or succeed it all really depends on your choices and falls all on your shoulders.

With owning Ha.Ba’s, my thoughts of risk have changed quite immensely, I’m more inclined to take a leap of faith and step out of my comfort zone or risk something to help my business succeed. You won’t really know if something works or not if you don’t try in the first place. So I’ll take the risk now.

Risk is not only in my business but my family life as well. My husband took a risk with me when I decided to run this business. Luckily that “risk” has benefited us a lot because my hours are more flexible to help take care of our children if they get sick, when school is out for holiday breaks or simply just to give us more family time outside of a regular 9 to 5 job.

What should our readers know about your business?
So Ha.Ba’s was originally founded by sisters Monica and Erica Barry in 2004. I purchased the boutique from them in 2021 after working as their manager for eight years.

I fell in love with the shop not just because I had been shopping there since I was in high school and loved all the clothes but the experience I had in the shop with the employees. Customer service was just always on point and it kept me coming back. While managing, I fell in love with the customers. I then embodied what attracted me in the first place. Being able to help a customer through conversations of life or clothes was such an amazing thing. For me it wasn’t only about making the sales and newest styles to show but really the relationships I was creating in the store.

To this day I just want to make my customers feel welcomed and loved. Help them feel beautiful in the clothes they buy. I want to help push them outside of their comfort zones and try new styles. For me Ha.Ba’s will always be about making our customers feel like family,

I don’t think the journey to me owning Ha.Ba’s was an easy one but a necessary one. I really believe that the choices I made led and prepared me for owning this shop. I took a long and hard time just to get a two year associates degree from Galveston College. I kind of wondered aimlessly in regards to picking a career for myself. Eventually I decided I wanted to get a bachelors in Maritime Administration at Texas A&M Galveston but have yet to complete my degree due to having my children. (It’s on my list of things to do) My point is there was no right or wrong way to get where I am. Im a successful business owner whether or not I have a degree with my name on it and that was a hard pill for me to swallow. I thought that piece of paper would really lay the foundation for a career but learned I am capable in ways I never deemed possible. Not all dreams are just dreams. So the support I had and knowledge I gained from managing this place before buying made a huge impact in changing that thought process about what made someone successful.

So I am excited about the future. Excited to build Ha.Ba’s as a brand and keep creating a welcoming environment for locals and tourists alike with affordable fashions like Ha.Ba’s has been doing since 2004.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay we are talking favorite spots in Galveston. This is fun. Honestly one of my favorite things to tell customer when they are visiting the shop!

The beach is a must. Depending on the time of year I’d tell you about all the events we have. October specifically is my favorite time of year on the island because every weekend there is a fun local event happening, like Artwalk.

If you can catch an Artwalk it’s a fun was to explore Postoffice District after hours. It’s normally every 6-8 weeks on a Saturday from 6-9pm. This works great time wise if you work a normal Monday to Friday job.

Breakfast / Brunch:
Hands down any day of the week we would be going to Miller’s on the seawall. Sherry’s food is worth the wait! *chefs kiss*
On a Sunday we’d do brunch at Maceo Spice & Import Company on Market Street! I’d also eat here any day of the week (especially spaghetti Thursday’s) and especially during Mardi Gras season for a king cake!

Lunch:
Lolo Kai for a great healthy option of smoothies and wraps. Plus, the owners are the sweetest! With a cold press juice sister-store right next to them
Yagas Cafe on the strand is an island classic. Can’t really go wrong with anything on their menu. I love taking my family because it satisfies with all the different food options.

Dinner:
Yamato on 61st has the best sushi and the Lo family is just wonderful. They are also the hot spot for Hibachi!
Number 13 right off of i45 if we want a more upscale experience. It’s right in the water if you want dinner with a view.

Dessert: Hey Mikeys Ice Cream
Coffee: MOD Coffeehouse & Freckleberry
Cocktails/Beer: The Tremont Hotel, Galveston Island Brewery & Daiquiri Time Out

I’d recommend a walking tour with JR Shaw who runs Galveston Unscripted or a local ghost tour. I’m always so fascinated by Galvestons history. It’s legit everywhere.

We can go shopping but you gotta hit Postoffice Street! You can’t forget the cool boutiques and art galleries. Tangerine & Kimmy’s are on my block and the you’ve got more on the 2100 block like Texas Haberdashery.

Really for me it’s about the local Galveston events. I’d always plan a trip based on those. Flamingo Fest & WALKtoberFEST pub crawl and poker run held by Postoffice District are newer but so much fun! Especially flamingo fest, it’s just a fun sea of pink and I love it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost I don’t think I’d be where I am without my husband, Kris Pompa, by my side. He backed me in making this decision to buy Ha.Ba’s and running it full time even with how busy he is in his own career and also while we are raising our twins, Olivia & Miguel. He really believed in me and my dream of owning my own boutique.

Secondly, I’d have to give major credit to sisters, Monica & Erica Barry. They allowed me this opportunity to buy their business in 2021. For me such a huge deal. They originally established back in 2004, so I knew I wanted to really make them proud in carrying their legacy.

Monica originally hired me when I was 21 as the manager for the shop and I stayed with them up until I had the twins in 2019. I had a minor hiatus to be a stay at home mom but still would pick up shifts or help with social media here and there. So I’ve been with Ha.Ba’s for a long time and been under their wing really wanting to learn and grow in my knowledge.

I not sure that I’d have even been ready to run my own business without Monica setting such a great example. She really was my ultimate role model and I’d always joke with her and say “Mo, I just wanna be you one day”. I don’t think all the good things I want to say about her and thanking her for everything I’ve learned can even fit in this. I will just for ever be grateful for our paths crossing.

Erica was the creative eye and buyer who over the years I worked for them really learned how that creative role plays a big part in running the business. It’s not just the numbers side of it and I loved learning the creative outlet of buying and mechanizing from her.

So, yeah, the Barry sisters played a major part in me falling in love with Ha.Ba’s and now owning it.

Website: www.habasclothing.com

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Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/habas-clothing-store-galveston

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/habasclothing/

Image Credits
Madison Blake Photography