Flirt Boutique and the Four-Fold Plan

20 April 2020

Teaming up with a clothing boutique and chocolatier, as well as hosting trunk shows and vamping up social media!

Flirt Boutique, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was the 2018 winner of The Best of Intima's Choice award and has again been nominated for this year’s The Best of Intima Awards, and it’s no wonder why! Store owner, Jessica Gerard, has been creative since closing their doors, and she is still not satisfied with their efforts, seeking new and alternative solutions. So far, Flirt has had four main areas where they have focused their efforts.

THE TRUNK SHOWS

Keeping Flirt’s social media fresh with new items, the boutique is hosting weekly virtual trunk shows - basically, a sample sale, where clients can see the items available for order. Three of these Trunk Shows have happened with items from NK iMode, Helen Wang jewelry, Cosabella, and now Eberjey. The Trunk Shows run over the weekend from Friday to end of day Tuesday.

To be “in the know” Flirt has been sending emails announcing the weekly trunk show on Friday, followed by a reminder email on Tuesday morning. It is also being promoted on Instagram and Facebook and has its own dedicated page.

Flirt is hosting these Trunk Shows because the boutique is very fashion-based and does not carry a large stock of basics. Trends and items are on a constant stream coming and leaving the store. When a client contacted her about purchasing an item she had posted on Instagram but was no longer in stock, the idea hit Gerard to contact her suppliers and suggest these Trunk Sales. Gerard expressed that although it is a lot of work … checking availability, collecting photos, putting together the email, social media, and the page on the Flirt web site … she has been seeing positive results!

Orders can be picked up curbside at Flirt and they are also offering free personal delivery to homes within a five-mile radius of the boutique, but that is not all, for those who live outside the radius are able to benefit from free shipping via Priority Mail.

THE TEAM UP

Local businesses working together! Flirt Boutique teamed up with a local clothing boutique, Stephanie’s, that has an online shop. Together they set up a “Shop Local Market” where customers can see many of Flirt’s items for sale. Flirt is directing all of their customers to this site, in the hopes that their clients will be interested in buying something from the clothing boutique, and in turn, also be able to help Stephanie’s.

THE CHOCOLATIER

“People love the thoughtfulness of free gifts. Even small things can bring a smile!” … and really, not that many hate chocolate. Flirt’s deliveries now feature a special treat: hot chocolate bombs made by a local, award-winning chocolatier, Mademoiselle Miel. These hot chocolate bombs are now also being accompanied by a single-serving packet of vitamin C.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA REVAMP

Flirt’s social media has not missed a beat, they have remained stable and on-brand, wanting to provide some much-needed stability in their followers’ lives.

Gerard is not afraid of sharing her feelings about her store being closed. In her emails, she is letting customers know how much she misses them and she is not shying away from telling them how important every sale is at this crucial time. Flirt has also started adding interactive posts, such as quizzes! Gerard feels that this is a great way to keep customers, who are currently financially strained to stay involved.

Additionally, Flirt is trying to encourage its customers to leave goods reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.

... AND BEYOND ?

Gerard has told us that she is working on an additional project with well-known local business owners.

We cannot wait to see what else she has up her sleeve!

#RebootTogether #CalltoAction