Meet Heather Smith | Owner & Buyer

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

Hi Heather, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to own my own business. I’ve dreamed of being my own boss for as long as I can remember. The hours, sweat and tears that come with starting a business didn’t deter me. A few years ago, when I started noticing shoppers were moving away from big stores like Macy’s and Dillards and spending more time shopping at boutiques, I started to dream of owning my own store. Clothes have such an important role in determining our day. At least for me. A good outfit can make a bad day great. At my old job, it was very stressful at the end of the month. Those days just seemed so much better when I felt good about what I was wearing. It was actually that job that gave me the idea for Linen and Lace. I had to dress up for work, so most of my wardrobe was a little too dressy for the days I was off work. I decided I wanted to open a boutique that had the best of both worlds. I wanted pieces that can be worn dressed up or down and make you feel good either way. I’m also a little more modest than most boutiques. I wanted a boutique that had stylish clothes but I was not interested in letting it all hang out. It’s actually more of a struggle to find these pieces than I thought it would be. It takes a lot of time to find the right clothes for Linen and Lace, but I’m so happy to be doing it. I love it. And I get so excited to share new pieces because I want my customers to love them as much as I do.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Linen and Lace we’re a little bit laid back and a little bit dressed up. We love versatile pieces that you can wear running the most basic errands or to a fancy date night. Whether you like to keep it casual or take it up a notch, we’ve got you covered. That’s where the name Linen & Lace came from. Some days we’re a little more Linen and the next we’re a little more Lace.

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.
I love to hang out at The Waterway in The Woodlands. It’s such a fun atmosphere. So many restaurants and great shopping at Market Street. I also love the small towns around Houston. I love to go to Old Town Spring and walk around the small shops or downtown Conroe. Small businesses have my heart. I love supporting a small business owner more than anything. I know how hard it is and how hard they work. It makes me so happy to be able to show them a little support even if it’s just bringing in someone who’s never visited their place of business before.

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?
I have so many people in my corner to thank. Some don’t even know how they’ve inspired me. My parents probably deserve most of my gratitude. My dad is always ready to jump in and solve a problem. My mother is easily my best customer and has probably bought things she didn’t even want just to show me some support. My sisters are my promoters. I can always count on them to share a post or give me engagement on social media. You would be shocked how hard it is to get friends and family to support your small business. Not my sisters. They’re the best. And then there’s my business coach, Jennifer Allwood. She is a God fearing leader that I am so glad I found. She prays over her clients and their businesses while giving us advice with zero fluff. She tells you the hard things you need to hear, but in a way you can digest. I just love her. And I can’t leave out my friend, Ashley Robbennolt. She is someone I met when I first moved to the Houston area and she is down to help me with whatever I need. She is such a positive person and has encouraged me more than she knows. She’s also more than willing to be my model when I’m not feeling it and for that I will be eternally grateful for. She also has great fashion finds that she shares on her IG: @ashleyyrobo.

Website: www.shoplinenandlace.com

Instagram: @shoplinenandlaceboutique

Facebook: @linenandlaceboutique