Meet Kensworth Boutique’s Mother-Daughter Team

Editor’s note: September 25 is National Daughters’ Day! All month long, we’ve been highlighting mother-daughter duos who are collaborating to inspire the community and excel in business. Enjoy!

**********

Memphis local Hannah Stringer was inspired to follow her dream of launching an online boutique following a weekend shopping trip to Nashville with her mom and sister. She’d been entertaining the idea for a while, but by the time they made it home, Hannah’s mind was made up. She got her business license the following week and launched Kensworth Boutique with her mother’s help less than two months later. The online store (which also hosts pop-ups) sells a selection of clothing and accessories — which she describes as “dramatic and colorful” — in an array of styles, sizes, and price points. Learn more about the boutique and the mother-daughter duo at its helm!

Pin

What inspired you to open Kensworth Boutique?

Hannah: I worked in a few high-end Memphis boutiques after college, including MOZELLE and Pickering Boxwood. I missed working in retail and wanted to get back into it, but I wanted it to be on my terms. I’d been thinking about opening an online store for a while and thought it would be fun, even if it was just something small.

Kris, what was your reaction when Hannah shared her plans, and how did you get involved?

Kris: I told her, “You’re young. You have the energy. Financially, you can do it right now. There will never be a perfect time, so you just need to go for it.” I really just tried to help her get started, and anytime she needs me, I’m available to be her support system. It’s been a joint effort, even though Hannah is the one running everything. She’s the face of it, but I’m behind the scenes, making sure we have what we need for our pop-up events and things like that.

E-commerce is tough! How did you build your customer base?

Hannah: Just growing up here, people know my family. My dad played football at the University of Memphis, so we have a well-known family name. I also promoted it on my social media accounts, and my friends promoted it for me on theirs as well. A lot of people who have shopped with me at other places I’ve worked followed along. People love being able to pick up items locally and not have to go into a store to shop.

What makes your boutique distinct from others out there?

Hannah: The variety of the pricing. We have some higher-end brands, but we also have more affordable dresses, tops, and items in the $30 range. We also carry plus sizes — something a lot of boutiques in Memphis don’t do — and a variety of merchandise that all different ages can wear. We have everything from crop tops for younger girls to more conservative ponchos that I like to wear. I love color, so our clothes aren’t neutral at all.

Kris: Hannah gravitates toward merchandise that is current and in style with a classic, traditional spin. So, it’s not something super trendy that will be out of style next season. There are plenty of boutiques in Memphis with a teenage feel, and there are also beautiful stores that cater to an older clientele, but there was sort of a void in the middle that I think Hannah has been able to fill with Kensworth.

Pin

What has been the biggest challenge in getting the boutique off the ground?

Hannah: Navigating the timing of when to order so things come in when you want them to! I ordered some things from this past spring that are just now coming in. So, [it’s challenging] learning how to deal with back orders, which every retail store struggles with. There are also many people who want to shop in person instead of online, so that’s why we have pop-ups and do open hours at our storefront every now and then.

What are your strengths as business partners?

Hannah: We get along, which helps! My mom is the backbone. If I need more of something, she’ll deliver it for me because she has more free time than I do. I work as a nanny during the week, so she’s a big help when we’re getting ready for shows.

Kris: We bounce ideas off each other. Hannah has a lot of ideas and thoughts about the boutique, and she’s very creative when it comes to that. I try to help her put those ideas into motion. I’m more of the muscle behind the operation!

How have you learned from and inspired each other?

Kris: I’m very logical and structured, but Hannah is more creative and a little calmer. She doesn’t worry as much about things, so I’ve probably learned to relax more. As her mom, I want to make things easier for her, but she’s taught me she can handle a lot.

Hannah: She pushed me to start the boutique in the first place, but she’s helped me get things done on time. I tend to wait until the last minute, but she taught me to be more organized.

Pin

What are your plans for the boutique in the future? How do you hope to see it grow?

Hannah: I’m expecting a baby in March, so we will expand into kids’ clothing — hopefully, around that time. We would like more days when our storefront is open, either on the weekends or a few days a week. We carry some home goods like candles, fun cups, etc., so we may expand more into that.

Do you have a favorite Kensworth staple for fall?

Hannah: Our favorite brand is THML — we have some fall tops and booties they make that are really cute.

Kris: Our lounge sets are popular, comfy, and sell like crazy!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and from whom?

Hannah: It’s from my parents! They always say, “Be the best you can be, and you will be surrounded by the best things — people, situations, jobs, etc.”

Kris: My mom used to say, “If you are going to do something, do it right.”

Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you couldn’t live without.

Hannah: Shopping, Iron Tribe Fitness, and my dog Rosie!

Kris: Weekends at our lake house, my coffee, and my dog Sadie!

All photography by Gigi Marie Photography.

**********

Meet more inspiring FACES in our archives!