Madalyn Edwards
Author
Boho Honey Boutique
Susanne Puckett is the owner of Boho Honey Boutique in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Growing up, she had a serious interest in fashion, and up until around seventh or eighth grade, she wanted to be a fashion designer.
Susanne Puckett is the owner of Boho Honey Boutique in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Growing up, she had a serious interest in fashion, and up until around seventh or eighth grade, she wanted to be a fashion designer.
“I would just pour over them,” she said.
Puckett would dress her Barbies in different outfit combinations, taking inspiration from her magazines, and styling them. However, by middle school, she realized there likely wouldn’t be many opportunities in the fashion industry in a small town. She didn’t want to move to a big city, so she shifted her creativity to a career as a hairstylist, still keeping her original dream in the back of her mind.
“I’ve always had that love of fashion kind of on the back burner,” Puckett said.
She heard about the idea of mobile boutiques, and in 2022, decided she wanted to start one herself. She started accumulating inventory and traveling to events and festivals in her mobile boutique trailer, named Lottie. Though she loved the process, she said traveling, unpacking, and packing everything up was tedious. Soon, she started looking into brick-and-mortar options.
Today, Puckett’s store, located at 823 W Pine St., carries a wide variety of apparel, including women’s and men’s shoes, jewelry, cologne and perfume, and handmade items from local artists she met while vending, such as hats, tumblers, earrings, and mugs. “So, just a little bit of everything,” she said.
Puckett describes her store’s style as “western boho” with classic accents, but said there’s something for everybody, including ages 15 to 75. Puckett’s store is self-described as size-inclusive, carrying sizes through 4x and beyond. She said size inclusivity is one thing she thinks many boutiques leave out, so creating a safe space where she can help customers find the perfect style with the perfect fit is extremely rewarding.
“It’s a really great feeling when you can help someone of any size,” she said.
One thing Puckett has learned while operating her business is that you can never judge a book by its cover. She said she has previously found herself thinking that a customer wouldn’t enjoy the style of Boho Honey as they walked into her store but has been surprised by the fact that she’s always able to help a customer find the perfect piece or outfit.
“You can’t read people’s minds,” she said. “I’ve definitely learned that.”
Puckett said she’s grateful for all the love and support she received when starting her business. Many of her first employees were her friends volunteering to help out, and she said her employees today, often referred to as the “Boho Honey girls,” always pay attention to details, taking time to steam the clothing and make sure the store looks its best. She and her employees engage in team-building activities, such as participating in the Christmas parade.
“You can’t read people’s minds,” she said. “I’ve definitely learned that.”
Puckett said she’s grateful for all the love and support she received when starting her business. Many of her first employees were her friends volunteering to help out, and she said her employees today, often referred to as the “Boho Honey girls,” always pay attention to details, taking time to steam the clothing and make sure the store looks its best. She and her employees engage in team-building activities, such as participating in the Christmas parade.
At the end of the day, seeing an outpouring of support from the community has been especially rewarding for Puckett. “I might be sitting at a doctor’s appointment, and somebody says, ‘I know you,’ and then they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re that Boho Honey girl,’’ she said.
Boho Honey Boutique is located in Mount Airy, North Carolina and can be reached
at (336) 755-2500 Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
