Meet Kimmy Almon | Owner & Buyer for Kimmy’s Boutique

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

Hi Kimmy, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
My end goal for Kimmy’s would be for my children, whether jointly or just one of (maybe specifically my daughter, Annie) to take over the business. My “why”, obviously, as a mother is my children and my family. For me to have worked so hard throughout decades and be able to build something that provides my children and their children — gosh, I cannot think of anything more fulfilling for me personally. At the end of my career, I would love to truly retire; but pop in to consult with my children on things like buying and/or the inventory planning side of things. And on the subject of consulting, I love building relationships with other boutique owners and have had the thought that I would love to share what I have learned with young business boutique owners starting out. As much as Kimmy’s is my passion and only hobby currently, I do keep in the back of my mind that at the end of the day, it is “just a job”. So, someday the goal would be to move on and enjoy being a grandparent, time with my husband, and traveling, too!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Kimmy’s is a women’s apparel and accessories boutique; but it is exactly what the name states — Kimmy’s! And I am Kimmy. She is me, and I am her! I feel this makes it a little unique because I am so directly connected to my brand. I chose to name her “Kimmy’s” because I use clothes to express myself and fashion is definitely my creative outlet of choice. So at first in 2014, it was just picking out pieces I loved for my closet… “Kimmy’s” pieces. Now, as it’s been evolving for a decade, I have really gotten to know my customer and where she is in her season of life. Kimmy’s is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. When I hit adversity in Kimmy’s — I think about my passion and why. Also, through the challenges I have faced in running this business, the fact that I am betting on myself every single day and I am so excited to get up and do it lets me know this is my life’s work! It’s so much more than clothes, too. The journey of feeling beautiful sometimes is very tough for a woman, and that can look different every day. I feel so blessed to be part of a woman’s journey in feeling her best — whether its for a date night, brunch, med school graduation or Easter Sunday. I love it so much and am grateful MY DREAM helps support my family.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a BOI and am super obsessed with my little island. One of things I am most obsessed with is the local eats and hang outs!

For a special occasion or upscale date night: Vargas, Rudy & Paco, or Number 13
For a craft cocktail: Daiquiri Time Out
For a lobby bar: Grand Galvez or Tremont House
For a burger: Lil’ Buffalo Grille or Mel’s Blue Plate Diner
For coffee/tea: Sugar Bean, Mod, or Freckleberry
For Mexican food: Salsa’s
For the freshest sushi and best hibachi you’ll ever eat in your life: Yamato
For local boutiques and art: Postoffice District
For tranquility and a nice walk and shopping: Evia
For gifts & baby clothes: Gracie’s
favorite lunch spot, Maceo’s

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?
Gosh, well first off. My stores are located in two incredible areas on Galveston Island. One is in the Postoffice District and one is in the neighborhood of Evia. In both locations, I am surrounded by not just one, but several other business owners that I truly feel like in any bind, I could call that and get help right away. I am so blessed to have that! A few specific shoutouts: POSTOFFICE: Katherine Pompa (ha.ba’s clothing), Heather Morris (Beauty Bar Postoffice), Denise Vargas (Vargas Cut + Catch), Kristin Bouvier (Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream) & EVIA: Sarah Sullivan (Collected By Sarah Sullivan), Hayley Hardcastle (Empouria), Michelle Byrd (Beauty Bar Galveston & Byrdsi), Jocelyn Sullivan (Sugar Bean), Gaby Zatarain (Gaby & Grace), & Jessica MacAleer (Lil’ Buffalo Grille & 1817)

On a less local level, I am also a part of a group called The Boutique Hub. It’s basically a boutique-support-group-club… that is the best way I know how to describe it! In the “Hub”, there are thousands of boutiques there to support each other, offer advice, and answer questions. We meet up at markets, stay in touch, follow each other, it’s the best! There are also service providers of all kinds that are vetted that you can work with. To any boutique owner I’ve ever met, I refer the Boutique Hub because I truly would not be where I am today without the guidance. The reason I truly believe in “Community Over Competition” comes from this group!

Shannan Pfiefer (Texas Haberdashery)

Website: www.shopkimmys.com

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