Urban Bird & Company
A trendy, unique women’s boutique located in the heart of downtown Cheboygan, Michigan.
For June’s Member of the Month through the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce, it is appropriate that Urban Bird & Company was their chosen highlight! This June will be the start of the THIRD year that the boutique has been open! I interviewed entrepreneur and owner, Lindsey Miller, about how this unique and trendy boutique came to being.
1. So, tell me about yourself and your business:
This June will be the start of the THIRD year that the boutique has been open!! Currently, we have a wonderful intern, Kayla Walter who is from Cheboygan and studying fashion merchandising at Central Michigan University.
2. What inspired you to start a small business? How did the idea for your business come about?
I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree in Retailing and Advertising. I have always had an entrepreneurial sprit and love for fashion. My inspiration for a small business grew from my passion for downtown Cheboygan to be a thriving place for gathering, shopping and dining. I wanted to provide a local store for women to find trendy fashions at an affordable price right here in our community. I started as a pop up store for three months. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to balance having a store and a full time career and I wanted to test the market to see if the community would be supportive of a boutique. At the end of the three months I knew I would be staying open for a lot longer…. lol… The experience of owning a store in our community leaves me speechless. I have shed tears, I have laughed until it hurts, I have encouraged women to know and feel like they look beautiful and I have been able to be there for those last minute fashion emergencies.
3. Have you had any formal training/education for your work or are you self taught?
In addition to my college education in Retailing I have been fortunate to have a wonderful mentor, Billie Livingston. Billie operated a women’s clothing store in the same location for over 30 years. She helped guide me through all the steps to get started and shared her wealth of knowledge about the industry. Without the encouragement and guidance of Billie I would not be here today!
4. What are you excited about bringing to the community? What makes others get excited about your work?
I am excited about bringing a place where women can relax, hang out, laugh, relate to one another and encourage one another. I strive to create an environment that is more than just your regular shopping store. To me, having a store in our community is about women getting together and just having some fun girl time. The number of people I have met and relationships I now have with so many wonderful people is what keeps me excited about owning a business downtown Cheboygan.
5. A lot of time and energy can be focused on your business even when you have a “day off”. When you are not working or running ideas for your business, what do you like to do for fun?
Owning a boutique store is my idea of fun 🙂 I love researching new brands, searching for unique inventory, exploring creative elements to bring to our store. Having a store is my passion and gives me a creative fun outlet in my life.
6. What is your favorite aspect about what you do? What keeps you motivated?
My motivation is seeing happy customers that walk out the door and how amazing they look in their new wardrobe. I love seeing how people add their own personal touch to an outfit. There are so many amazing people and wonderful experiences you have when you own a store downtown. From the young girl who rides her bike here to pick out a mothers day gift to the bride who comes in shopping for a rehearsal dinner dress, you all have touched my heart and Im so happy that we could be here for you and be apart of your special moments!
7. What have you found is your best way to market to your target clients?
Old fashioned word of mouth is our best form of advertising along with people rocking our clothing when they are out and about 🙂
8. What do you love about Northern Michigan and its communities? Specifically where you live?
EVERYTHING!!! I think we are so fortunate to live in the most beautiful place in the state! From the rivers to the lakes to the trail to the people, Cheboygan has it all!
Thank you, Lindsey, for being a positive inclusion and supporter to our downtown Cheboygan businesses! Urban Bird & Company can be found at 300 N. Main Street, Cheboygan, MI or you can shop online at www.urbanbirdcompany.com.
Make sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram as the store is continually adding new additions to their clothing line and products!
Congratulations on 3 incredible years in business!!
(On a personal note, I have been shopping here since she opened and love the unique clothing styles and appreciate that the sizes range 0-3x so there is something for everyone! I have purchased spring outfits and sandals to wear on the boat and beach, dresses for formal occasions, and fall sweaters and cute ankle boots. :))
All images and video compliments of our Fall, Winter, and Spring models and Lindsey Vork Photography. Interested in branding or marketing images for your own business? I’d love to hear from you! Email: lindsey@vorkphotography.com or contact me HERE.