Oct 11, 2008

Small Biz: Dream of own business leads to new boutiqueBy Don NelsonOnlineAthens.com

Katie Nichols has her priorities in order. The 25-year-old sales representative for A&M Equipment Sales, decided she wanted to start her own business before she moved on to other life-changing events in her life.

Nichols recently opened Entourage, a women’s clothing store and gift shop in the relatively new commercial center on South Milledge at the Athens Perimeter where Sons of Italy and Tall Boy Beverages operate.

“I always wanted my own business,” Nichols said. “Before I get married and have kids, I wanted to (start one).”

As if starting her own business wasn’t challenging enough, Nichols is keeping her full-time job with A&M, her father’s Lithonia-based company that sells drink and snack vending machines. She travels to four states selling the equipment.

“I thought it might be better to keep my salary at first before getting (Entourage) off the ground,” Nichols said about working two jobs.

And, though Nichols’ father often is harder on her than his other employees, he has allowed her the time to get Entourage set up. She saved up her own money to get it started and she is following his example of hard work and entrepreneurship in pursuing this dream, she said.

She hired one full-time employee, Ali Ericksen, and three part-time employees to help run the shop during the day, and Nichols comes in at 4:30 or 5 p.m. each day to close up the shop. She also works on the weekends.

Entourage carries a variety of women’s apparel – from dresses, to T-shirts to jeans. Jeans prices start at $30. Dresses range from $25 to $60, and the T-shirts and every day shirts run from $6 up, Nichols said. Clothing brands include Nina, Cisono, Ya, Ginger G, Denim Rock, Opera and Mud Pie. One of the Entourage offerings is My Team Boutique, a clothing line of “very unique University of Georgia apparel,” Nichols said.

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