Black Business Spotlight: Boss Lady Shoetique

Head-to-toe boutique that brings new meaning to power-dressing 

Since 2019, when she turned her hobby into an online shoe store and later added clothing, 37-year-old Brittany Kline (BK) never imagined she would achieve the kind of success she enjoys today. In May of 2022, she became the first Black person to open a shoe store in the Northtown Mall in Blaine.

“I was just trying to think of a way to get more streams of income for me and my children,” said Kline of her inspiration. “So that’s how it started off—as a hobby. Then in October of 2021, I was laid off from my job. I had been working there for a long time and invested so much time and energy. So, it was then I decided to pursue my hobby and take it to the next level.”

Boss Lady Shoetique now employs four salespeople as Kline continues to expand her income streams. “I still have my online store still going. I do women-empowered events and I’ve been doing events at the mall.”

MSR: Tell me a little bit about your business and how it stands out.

BK: My customers wanted more. They were like, ‘Hey, can you get clothes?” So then I started to add clothes. What separates me from the others is that I actually go in and personally meet with my vendors in their showcases. I handpick my items. You know, looking at them, making sure the quality is actually good, so I don’t have to guess. 

I only always get a few items at a time, so that everyone’s not wearing the same thing. Then, everything can stay unique.

MSR: How does your business impact the community?

BK: We do a lot of events, you know, for single moms since I’m a single mom. And we also do events just for entrepreneurs—small business owners that are trying to come up in the industry.

I like to do a lot of events here at the mall. Sometimes we’ll do vendor tables where they can sell their products without a fee here at the mall for up to eight hours. I also do events where local performers are able to perform for free to showcase their talents.

Then I do turkey giveaways. This year will be our second annual turkey giveaway where I’ll be giving out 50 turkeys to single moms in the community for free.

Then I do a women’s empowerment event for free, where different women will come out and motivate other entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in their business.

MSR: What’s your best seller?

BK: I would say the number-one seller right now would be my boots. My boots are very unique. A lot of people don’t carry the style of boots that I have. I go to L.A., New York and California, and hand pick these different unique boots. They’ll be short. They’ll be sparkly. They’ll be long and thigh high. So those sell out the most.

My second runner up is definitely handbags. Everybody loves the handbags to match the boots or the purses to match the heels.

MSR: What has been your biggest challenge in owning a business?

BK: There’re actually a lot of challenges. In the beginning, what was challenging for me was staying consistent and time management. Just trying to juggle all these different things.

You’re a one-woman show as far as administration and management. Right now, I think the most challenging thing is marketing. Because I have to stay up on all the different platforms—Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook—so much, and I don’t have a social media manager. I’m the one managing social media. 

MSR: What has been the most rewarding part of owning your business?

BK: The most rewarding part for me is helping people. I love helping people, even just helping them get a nice new pair of shoes or a nice outfit that makes them feel good about themselves.

You know, someone will come out of the dressing room and they’ll see themselves. I’ll give them a nice compliment, and their face just lights up, you know. I believe that shoes and clothes help with how you feel inside and make a personal statement about yourself. It says what your vision and goal is for your business.

MSR: What’s your vision/goals for your business?

BK: I have a multimillion-dollar enterprise in my head. The next step that I would like to make is start a mentorship program for women and young ladies who want to start businesses but that just need encouragement. That’s where I’d like taking off. You know, styling professionals and celebrities, opening my own showroom with a facility connected inside.

My vision—it’s huge. It’s big, you know. I try to give myself a few small goals every month and some yearly goals.

MSR:  What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

BK: My advice would definitely be to keep going. You know, when people look at starting a business and going after their dreams, they’re so excited. Then you hit a roadblock along the way. It’s impossible not to. 

Some get discouraged. Some don’t want to keep going. But that’s what separates you from the rest, because you didn’t give up. You continued to go on when you didn’t have enough money, when you didn’t have enough energy. You didn’t give up. You prayed and kept going.

MSR: Would you like to add that has not been covered?

Brittany: For all those who are looking to start their own business or to dive into their dream, I would like to add—just keep going. Stay motivated. Do your research. Get connected to a mentor. Definitely invest in yourself and take classes, so that you can be the best at what you’re trying to do.

Boss Lady Shoetique is in the Northtown Mall, 398 Northtown Drive, D-25, in Blaine, next to the Becker Outlet. You can www.bossladyshoetique.org or call 612-208-8491.