Founder of So Sweet Boutique, got her start as a “work at home mom” (WAHM) selling items on eBay and running an Internet business from her bedroom closet and racks of clothing in her dining room.
Jennifer Howe Rogan, while on bed rest with her third pregnancy, started dabbling on eBay with children’s retail. She also assisted a few friends overseas with obtaining certain clothing lines that they could not get locally. It was then that she created a little side business and realized that eBay was a unique way to supplement her and her husband’s income while on bed rest. It also helped keep her mind at ease during those tough moments.
It was after her pregnancy she created her Internet boutique selling upscale clothing. She established a small clientèle and had trunk shows locally, generating more income. Inspired by her ability to make the system work, she wrote a book called “The Method to the Madness,” which helps other work at home parents understand how to sell children’s retail over the Internet and the craze with the selling trends of children’s clothing on eBay. From start to finish, it’s packed full of resources and tips on getting started and what mistakes to avoid.
So Sweet Boutique has been in business for 2 years! Jennifer’s vision grew and created the spark to open up a mortar store. She knew that a children’s boutique would be a perfect fit in her small town of Oviedo, Florida. Oviedo is located just outside of Orlando and Daytona Beach nestled in central Florida.
Jennifer teamed up with former nursing college buddy Susan Powers to start completing the aspect of opening up a store. While learning the ropes with Susan, Jennifer created an online magazine and free newsletter geared to the children’s retail industry. The magazine and newsletter aren’t just for boutique owners. It is also geared for sales reps, fashion designers, manufacturers, and anyone in the children’s apparel industry can benefit from them! Project Manager Debbie Thomas runs their magazine, E-Boutique Online. Debbie is a “work at home grandmother" (WAHG) who had technical experience prior to coming on board with Jennifer and Susan.
“We are a dynamic team,” says Howe Rogan. “It’s hard to believe it all started from my closet and rolling racks of clothing in my dining room!” Together the 3 of them work on different angles of the children’s apparel industry while offering resources and their endless research to everyone.
In March So Sweet Boutique will open their first mortar store locally in Oviedo Florida! Their first shop is in a quaint little house on Graham Avenue that was built in 1910. They will be offering flower girl dresses, boy’s suits and tuxedos, pageant clothing, smocked outfits, and fun and comfy clothing sets that children can wear to school on a daily basis. Most outfits will be under $40.00 and gowns and pageant wear will be under $75.00, making it affordable for just about everyone.
Oviedo is a small town city with a quaint atmosphere. It is known in Central Florida for their stray chickens that roam downtown and their beautiful large trees. So Sweet Boutique will be at 69 Graham Avenue near Lawton Elementary School and next to The Secret Garden day spa.
