Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, and where you’re from.
I’m a Fort Worth native and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. My job brought me back to Fort Worth in 2000. My husband, Brian, and I have been married for 13 years, and we have two sons, ages 6 and 9.
When I’m not in “mom mode” or working on Fitted, I love to play tennis, practice yoga and pilates, or attend HIIT classes. I also enjoy cooking, visiting the beach, and spending time with my girlfriends.
When did you move to The River District, and why did you decide to move here?
We moved to River Heights two years ago. We lived nearby with no intention of moving, but when we discovered this hidden neighborhood, we thought it would be perfect to raise our children—and we were right!
What is your occupation?
First and foremost, I am a mom. Also, in January of this year, a childhood friend and I launched Fitted, an online boutique for athletic and athleisure apparel.
Why did you decide to start an athletic & athleisure apparel shop?
Missy and I are two highly active women and moms, and we are always on the lookout for unique athletic apparel. We were tired of always buying the same brands and asked ourselves: what else was out there?
We found some amazing new brands, but we also received an eye-opening education on the apparel industry. We realized every buying decision we make impacts the future of our planet. By purchasing higher quality clothing made from sustainable processes, the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills decreases.
This knowledge led to the creation of Fitted! We are committed to selling clothes made by socially responsible brands that consider which materials are used and how the garment is made, without compromising on quality or ethics.
How did you and your business partner, Missy Johnson, meet? And what made you want to start a business together?
Missy and I met in Junior High school in Arlington. With our children now in school, we wanted to go back to work, but not return to traditional corporate jobs. With a shared love of exercise and fitness, Fitted began as a simple idea and has become a full-blown passion that we genuinely love. We bring different strengths to the business and are a great team. We have the bonus of knowing each other very well, which has contributed to our success.
Have you always wanted to be a business owner?
In hindsight, yes! I had the pleasure and fortune to learn from excellent managers in my previous career, but it is no surprise that I like being in (partial) control of our future. Our vision has come to life, and there is no better reward than seeing our work pay off.
What do you love most about what you do for your business?
Making customers happy! Technically, we sell athletic clothes, but it is so much more than that. We pride ourselves in helping our customers feel good and find items that fit well, perform well, and meet their needs. I love seeing women wearing beautiful, unique, and ethically made clothing from our boutique. That makes me smile, and I am reminded why we chose to start Fitted.
Do you have any advice for someone thinking about opening up an online shop?
Consider what you believe in and what you want to live and breathe. Determine if there is a need, or whether you can create the need. Take time to research courses on social media, web platforms, and marketing options. Learn from others, listen always, and in the end, go for it!
If someone wants to check out your online shop, where should they go?
Fitted can be found online and on Facebook and Instagram (@shop.fitted). In addition, we pop-up frequently around town, and all in-person events can be found here.
