We had the good fortune of connecting with Robin Audi and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Robin, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
The most important thing I have done as a parent is shown my son that with hard work, determination, and a solid foundation, you are able to achieve your goals. It brings me so much joy that I’m able to stay home with my son and still work. When I started my business, quitting my teaching job and staying home was my goal. I wanted to be a present mom and create a strong bond with him. I’m so proud that he gets to experience entrepreneurship; to see the creative process and grid it takes to run a business. He sees me create content, manage the back office, track finances, pull orders, ship packages — he sees the work that goes in. So not only do I reap the benefits of working from home, but my son gets to grow up in a home where there is always a parent to play with him and hard work to be observed.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a boutique owner and personal stylist: I help women look effortlessly put together. LuLaRoe Robin Audi is a Houston-based clothing boutique that I run out of my home. I carry on-trend, affordable clothing fit for every body size from XXS-3XL. You’ll find an ever-changing selection of styles and prints from denim jeans to summer dresses, graphic tees to athleisure. I am a social retailer. My business is built on relationships, referrals, and social media connections. I do most of my business online where I’ve built an awesome community of women. You’ll see me creating and posting outfits, styling clients, running Facebook Live shows, offering styling tips, and sharing bits of my life. I pride myself on the individual attention I provide to each shopper, online or in person — I aim to be a service business, not just a transactional one. I answer every message, DM, email, and request myself and enjoy showing women how to style themselves in every season. I’m in my third year of business, and the journey has been anything but boring. I started doing mostly local shows: I loaded up my inventory in my car and set up pop-up boutiques all over town. That’s truly the hardest work! Over time my audience grew as well as my use of technology. I had to figure out how to build email campaigns, set up a website, and I am continually learning social media strategies. There is always something new to learn!
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?
Houston has so much to offer! I’ve lived here for 10 years and love showing visitors around. Here are my favorite things to do by neighborhood. In the Heights, enjoy walking the bike path, window shopping at Heights Mercantile, and stopping into Postino for a bottle of wine and a bruschetta board. You gotta hit a Saturday art market or do some antiquing on 19th Street, too. You’ll find my favorite TexMex at Lupe Tortilla followed by some cornhole and cocktails at Heights Beer Garden. Downtown Houston offers some great entertainment venues and well as some hidden gems. See a show at the Hobby Center or catch an Astros game at Minute Maid Park. Stumble upon the Conservatory, an underground food hall and bar that will remind you of your college days. Enjoy the beautiful weather with a game of blanket bingo at Market Square Park or play in the water fountains at Discovery Green. The museum district is home to great indoor and outdoor entertainment, including the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park, as well as our fabulous museums. Be sure to browse the shops in Rice Village and have lunch at Torchy’s Tacos. Crave Cupcakes are the absolute best in town, and end your day watching the sunset on the roof of Benjy’s enjoying cocktails. The Montrose/Washington neighborhood offers refreshing greenspace and numerous bars, breweries, and restaurants. Start your morning brunching at the Dunlavy and enjoy a walk around Buffalo Bayou. Be sure to schedule a tour of the Cistern or enjoy dog watching at the Johnny Steele Dog Park. Grab a late lunch at Buffalo Bayou Brewing and enjoy rooftop drinks with amazing downtown views. Walk through Spring Street Studios while you’re there or catch a pop-up market in the parking lot. Head down to Montrose for a barbeque dinner at the Pit Room, and end your night with craft cocktails at Anvil.
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?
What’s so unique about my business is that there is a network of women and men across the country who do the exact same thing I do, carry the same brand and styles, yet we aren’t competing with one another. Even in the greater Houston area, I have a family of LuLaRoe retailers that supports me. We do events together, loan product to each other, share what’s working for us ‘right now,’ and collaborate on fundraisers. These ladies deserve the biggest shout out for having my back and helping me grow as a business owner.
Website: www.robinaudi.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lularoerobinaudi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lularoerobinaudi
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaP_MI5bXSKDpQ_XzwYQi3w
Other: www.pinterest.com/lularoerobinaudi lularoerobinaudi@gmail.com
Image Credits
Ramy Audi