A Mobile Boutique Founded By Two Women That Travels Between Indiana And Michigan While Promoting Positive Self Worth
Amber Huber and Mary-Catherine Miller, co-owners of Boho Pretty from Goshen, Indiana, are changing the definition of mobile boutique.
After going to school for fashion, Amber and her husband opened a small boutique in Indianapolis. When their family began to grow, the Hubers decided to move home to Goshen, and Amber started to look for a new opportunity in fashion. The notion of a fashion truck was one that had interested her for a while.
“Mary and I had always talked about doing something together. [We liked] the idea of traveling to people rather than waiting for them to come to us. It all started to come together. Everything fell into place.”
They found a 12-foot long, 1970 Shasta camper that would function as their storefront, and Mary’s husband--armed with expertise from his job for an RV company--gutted it down to its frame and studs, then rebuilt it to include clothing racks, a jewelry case, and a fitting room.
Amber and Mary have now been running Boho Pretty for a little over three years. They just completed the renovations on their second camper, a 15-foot long 1972 Golden Falcon.
“[The second camper] is to keep up with demand because we’re so busy. And because we do travel, we have such a wide customer base, we have a hard time keeping up with the opportunities.”
In addition to traveling between Northern Indiana and Michigan with their camper, Amber and Mary have found other unique venues for their mobile boutique. Last year, they rolled the camper into University Park Mall in Mishawaka for the winter. This year, they’re expanding their camper-as-kiosk gig and parking the second camper in Glenbrook Mall in Fort Wayne.
But that’s not all. Amber and Mary have also made sure their merchandise is available to their immediate community. Because many Goshen residents travel to South Bend for mall and other chain store shopping, about a 40 minute drive, Amber and Mary have a convenient location for those who prefer to shop in town.
“We also have a space inside The Old Bag Factory. It’s this really cool, historical spot in Goshen with lots of little shops and restaurants. We have a studio space in there that we can work from when we’re not on the road. And we have so many local people that want to shop with us.”
Add to these non-traditional spaces nearly any venue that can accommodate a camper: house parties, fundraisers, festivals, college campuses, antique shows, maker and picker events, craft shows, wineries, breweries, and salons. And don’t forget their online store.
“We kind of do it all. Even though our product isn’t necessarily what people have driven [to a venue or event] for, it’s always a pleasant surprise. I don’t know if we’ll ever have a permanent store front. We just keep thinking: where else can we go?”
So what is it that sets Boho Pretty apart? What creates the demand that brings Amber and Mary to such a wide variety of locales? It’s just the right balance of ambiance, selection, and small-business charm.
“The camper itself--it’s a big wow factor. That retro, vintage camper feel takes it to the next level. And we have a wide age range [of shoppers]. We have the moms, the daughters, the grandmas. We have kind of have a little bit of something for everyone. The clothes really sell themselves. We have a really comfortable fit. It’s comfy chic. It fits a wide range of ages and body types. And we have a price point that people don’t think twice about. They see it and they love it and they just eat it up, you know? We want people to be able to experience and enjoy our brand. We just want them to love their overall experience.”
At the heart of their small business, Amber and Mary have one special message that they want to send with their brand:
“Boho is also short for ‘beautiful on her own.’ We try to promote positive self-worth and value. It doesn't necessarily have to meet the norm of what pretty is.”
The mission of Boho Pretty is a big one, but Amber and Mary have risen to the task and created their own unique style of mobile boutique. The result is a brand without borders, taking Amber and Mary to places they’d never dreamed of--and offering many more unexplored and exciting opportunities to discover as they grow.
Kailyn Clay
A graduate of Trinity Christian College in English & Political Science, Kailyn has written for Brilliance Publishing & GEMS' Girls Clubs among others. She enjoys hiking and cooking.
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Boho Pretty, a Mobile & Online Boutique bringing you all of the latest trends in women's clothing. Hoping to spread positive energy and help build esteem.