Opening a new boutique in a city like Tomball, where competition is already high, is not an easy task. Jamie Carlton, owner of The Turquoise Door, has proven that there is still room to thrive.
"Business has been going really well for us," she said. "Since we opened in June, each month has exceeded my expectations."
The co-op boutique features products from local vendors, such as The Sassy Zebra, Bella Blue and Carlton's own business, Cowgirl Junkie. Items in stock are both handmade and brought in from other markets and include clothing, jewelry, home dcor and gift items.
Carlton attributes success to staying in tune with what customers want. She also hand-picks the vendors to ensure that the boutique offers a wide variety to appeal to different styles and tastes.
"I think people appreciate that they can get things here that you don't see anywhere else," she said. "We try to make this a one-stop shop with a little bit of everything."
Carlton said she always wanted to run her own store and opened The Turquoise Door on a leap of faith. Before opening an actual storefront, she sold her Cowgirl Junkie line at shows. Now, with more than 3,400 fans on Facebook, she is pleased with how things have been going.
"We post pictures online and people contact us from Chicago, New York and all over to have things shipped to them," she said. "We are blown away everyday by the responses we get."
212 W. Main St., Tomball, 281-255-4255, www.facebook.com/theturquoisedoor