Business Spotlight: Holden Hearts Boutique

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Quotes Courtesy of Emily Holden

When you think of a small town girl with big dreams, Emily Holden’s story to entrepreneurship is the quintessential tale. Her path has been “very accidental”, and yet, all the parts have come together perfectly. She credits her youth with having shaped her into the hard-working mama that she is today. Having grown up in Milton-Freewater on what was once Parent’s Dairy, Emily loved 4-H where she participated in everything from raising livestock to cooking and sewing. There she learned to sew and model garments, where she was judged on posture, presentation, style, fit, design, and construction. This experience taught Emily how clothes are actually supposed to fit, how a seam or an extra inch here or there can make a big difference, how clothes can fit a variety of shapes and sizes, and are flattering for all body types. After High School, Emily studied Agriculture at Oregon State University, achieving a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education, and went on to teach Agriculture at Mac-Hi for five years.

 

During this time, Emily circled back around to her love of clothing and began selling LuLaRoe online. In 2020, she left LuLaRoe and opened her own online boutique, Holden Hearts; by January 2021, she wanted to try wholesaling and began selling shoes to other boutiques across the country. In May 2021, Emily took a big leap and opened up a storefront for Holden Hearts, which has since grown ever-bigger as sales have expanded! As Emily’s youth informed her, the clothes she sells have to be multi-functional, comfortable, range from size small-3X, and meet a variety of price points. In September, Emily took another leap forward and added 5 new independent vendors to the shop who sell unique and hand-crafted products.

 

Going forward, Emily dreams of further business expansion to truly become a small-business incubator and a local gift location, “where people are able to shop local and any need can be met.” She wants to include up to 30 different vendors, a gift-wrapping station, a photo spot, home décor, and a small kids boutique. Dear to Emily’s heart is the goal of helping small businesses get a foothold, helping them establish markets for their products, finding their own local customer base, and the idea that “one product sold makes a huge impact for these small businesses.”

 

In addition to being a wife, a mother to two beautiful daughters, and a small-business owner, Emily’s other (other other) business is working with other online boutique owners from Alaska to Florida. She helps them to create a business that works for them through the use of authentic social media marketing. With all that small business owners must accomplish in a day, it’s essential that their marketing is simply an extension of themselves, telling their brand’s story so they can focus on connecting with and serving their customers.  So she focuses on helping them identify their brands story and then helps them create customized plans that will reach and connect with their target audience.

 

Emily loves her hometown and her heart of gold shines bright when she talks about how special it is to be part of creating something that helps bring people to our downtown. She speaks of a world with incredible opportunity, if one is willing to take risks and pursue their dreams. Emily strives “to create spaces where women feel comfortable, safe, supported, and worthy of good things and creating a market place to uplift local small businesses.” She is driven by “a deep desire to show [her] girls and other women that they can build a life they love, on their own terms.”

 

To celebrate the opening of Holden Hearts Boutique, a Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for October 27, 2021 from 5:30-6:30. Emily will be offering 10% off on all purchases for the whole day, and 15% off during the hour of her Ribbon Cutting.

 

For more information about Holden Hearts Boutique, visit the website www.shopholdenhearts.com or stop by the shop at 13 NE 6th Avenue, Suite A, 97862