We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Wodehouse and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Vanessa, what do you attribute your success to?
Support of family and friends. You absolutely have to be somewhat of a risk taker but surrounding yourself with positive, kind people gives you a huge advantage. My spouse is and continues to be my biggest fan and listens to ALL my crazy ideas.
What should our readers know about your business?
I opened my first store Big Blue Whale in the summer of 2014, a few years later I opened Mary & Moss, almost directly across 19th.
My first two decades of working were spent in the non profit art world. I am definitely a creative but always wanted to own my own small business.
Retail is tough but I do like the challenge. In order to be competitive, I try to focus on the overall experience. I want to have unique product in a special setting. I want folks to feel good in my shops. Hopefully, I’ve accomplished that.
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.
Fairly easy because I love Houston! I would absolutely take them to the Museum District, shopping on 19th Street, a couple of walks in Memorial Park and along Allen Parkway, trip to Orange Show and Beer Can House, drinks at Big Top, live music at Continental Club and we would eat a lot of food… thai at Kanomwan, tacos at Villa Arcos, bbq at Truth, snocones at Tampico!
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?
Funny! I just mentioned him! My spouse never doubted me when I decided to open our first store, Big Blue Whale. So this is for Jim Wodehouse.
Website: maryandmosstx.com
Instagram: shopmaryandmoss
Facebook: maryandmosstx