Carrie Arrouet
Independent personal stylist for the men’s clothing line J. Hilburn
Owner of Lela Boutique, 321 N. Broadway, Milwaukee
www.lelaboutique.com
Consultant and store owner Carrie Arrouet says personal style is important in business.
“As a clothing store owner, I am frequently asked, ‘What’s in style?’
“Fashion and style can go hand-in-hand. However, for me, style means so much more than a person’s outward appearance. Style is something you possess on the inside, and is as individual as a snowflake. The expected answer in the fashion industry would include the latest color or fabric trends. But being a local business owner has shown me that style is so much more.
“My style is built on three behaviors: integrity, humility and compassion. Integrity — what would my grandmother say if she were standing next to me? Humility — I am only a small part of this universe; what am I doing to make it better? Compassion — have I walked a day in his or her shoes? Until I can say yes, I don’t place judgment. Whether I am coaching an employee through a learning curve, helping a customer fulfill his or her fashion needs or seeking ways to continue growing and improving my business in the city I love, I draw on my personal style for guidance.
“So when people ask, ‘What’s in style?’ I say, ‘Style is nothing if it’s not created by you.’
“Lela Boutique, located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, has been a place for women, and now men, to explore their own personal style in an environment that is unintimidating and welcoming for more than 11 years. Our mission is to help people feel better about themselves when they leave our store than when they walked in.”
