Calling all Boston shopaholics – Boutikey, Boston’s newest mobile fashion app, has arrived. The app, which has already been well-received in Boston, plans to expand to other cities in the U.S. soon, providing shoppers with a digital rewards program and exclusive deals at their favorite local boutiques.
Boutikey’s 25-year old CEO and Founder, Tiana Haraguchi, tells BostInno that her “goal here is to help create a ‘new Boston fashion scene’ by bringing the Boston fashion community together, beginning with these fashion boutiques.” She continues, “I started Boutikey in Boston because I don’t think most people realize how much Boston has to offer … This city is full of amazing local boutiques and hidden gems that showcase unique and exciting trends from all over the country.”
Here, the entrepreneur and CEO tells BostInno how she spends her day-to-day growing the Boutikey business.
How do you spend most mornings?
That’s an easy question – working! I’m not really a morning person, so I wake up, get ready and head straight to the office. However, my weekend mornings are a little more interesting. You can find me at Ferrara’s in the North End for brunch, followed by some boutique shopping!
What are the top priorities on your to-do list right now?
The first is to make sure our launch in Boston continues to run smoothly and that we have satisfied store owners and customers. Part of the reason I love Boutikey so much is because I love knowing we are helping these stores on a day-to-day basis! My second priority is to really focus on what went well here in Boston and put that information to good use when we scale to five new major cities in the fall. We are so excited to go national!
What is the best part and the worst part about your day?
The best part of my day is when I walk into the office every morning. It’s really amazing to watch how much we’ve grown over the past three months. My team and I are excited to come to work every day. I know that may sound lame, but it’s true. We’ve created a great working environment! I don’t really have a bad part of my day. I guess if we hear from an unhappy client or customer, it can be upsetting.
What inspired you to start Boutikey?
The idea came to life after a personal shopping experience I had at one of the local Boston boutiques. The store hadn’t effectively advertised a sale that I would have loved to know about beforehand, and I was also very disappointed that there wasn’t a rewards program set up. After doing some research, I found out that there were no rewards programs in any of the boutiques in Boston. I knew at that moment I wanted to help change the local shopping experience.
What are a few of your personal favorite boutiques in the area?
This is such a hard question because I love them all! I do have to admit that I’m an avid shopper at Ku De Ta and Pretty Reckless in South Boston. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to leave either store empty handed! Crush Boutique on Newbury / Charles Street has always been a favorite as well. They always have fun and trendy new arrivals.
If you could impart one piece of advice to our readers, what would it be?
Take big risks and follow your dreams. It’s never too late to do what makes you happy, and the reward far outweighs the risk if you put all of your energy and your whole heart into it.
What would you do if you were suddenly granted a day off from work tomorrow?
Since we’re currently experiencing the never ending winter, I think I’d fly down to Miami for a night or two and enjoy a cocktail on the beach!
If you weren’t answering my questions, what would you be doing instead?
I wish I could say something exciting, like traveling to an exotic location, but realistically if I wasn’t answering these questions, I’d probably be doing other work! #Startuplife. My ideal answer would be hanging out with friends or family at a good restaurant or going for a run along the Charles.
