Today we’d like to introduce you to Paxton Avery Harman.
Hi Paxton Avery, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The name came to my mom when she was reading a Danielle Steel romance novel called Message From Nam. The main character is a journalist from Savannah, Georgia – Paxton Andrews – and you follow her through her life to see how she ends up in Vietnam. And the name Avery comes from my mom’s side from her great-great-grandmother. Lydia Leticia Avery Lively – say that one ten times fast.
Growing up, I had to make sure my hair bows matched my outfits perfectly and my socks had to have enough frills on them. To say the least, even at two years old, I needed to be up on the fashion game.
Since I was a freshman in college, I had always wanted to own a boutique. Transferring to Los Angeles for school, I really got thrown into fashion and trends and got to see how fast things changed. But as life continued & work took up the majority of my life, school, going into the real world, & everything in between, it kept on getting pushed back.
But when I was picking out clothing from my closet, I was continuing to grow confidence in my everyday life but also tackling big events. Whether it was a first date or a big interview that could change my career – I gained that confidence.
I’ve known as I grew up, I had to find fits and styles that I liked because I was short and had hips and struggled to find things I felt comfortable in. One style does not fit and flatter all. I started to find brands and styles that I fell in love with because I loved the way I felt in them. And soon others saw it too.
I had women from all parts of my life asking me where I found a cute dress, where I got a skirt and everything in between. I’d have friends come over and say “I need something to wear for this event because I have nothing and I know you will!” And I did. And I always found it at great prices.
One night I was going through my phone & seeing about 7-10 women asking for clothing recommendations on what to wear to a shower, conferences, alumni events, etc. I’d send out the links, so excited to see them in things that I found! And then it kind of just clicked. I needed to do this. I need to go out on my own. And it never was the “best time” to do it but I was at a point where the fire in me was slowly diminishing with other work that I used to pour my heart into & I felt like I didn’t have the passion for it as I used to.
So in 2020, I quit my full-time job as a Marketing Manager and said let’s do it.
I felt a rush of excitement every single day. I opened up notebooks I had saved over the years with ideas and brands that I wanted to touch base with. The branding that I always envisioned and an experience I wanted shoppers to have. My eyes were opened to more as the months went on and I was connected to some incredible people that have helped guide me in the right direction.
I was doing it. It was coming to life. But boy were their roadblocks, expenses, scheduling issues, and more. Building a business is not a walk in the park. I’ll never sugar coat it. But it sure is magical.
I was scheduled to launch in March of 2020, right before my birthday. Planning a huge launch party with a guest list of around 125.
And then it had happened so fast, changes happening every day, that I didn’t fully realize the extent of COVID-19. Until I turned on the news, seeing updates and stories of people getting severely sick and small businesses having to shut down and lay off employees.
So I postponed. Not only the launch party but the website itself. The unemployment rate was skyrocketing. It felt so wrong to launch a clothing boutique when people couldn’t even buy groceries. It just didn’t feel right. I decided to work on my brand more. We all needed a moment to watch and learn what would come of this worldwide pandemic. But I went on to perfect things and continue to make it better. I had shipments that were being delayed anyways from vendors having to close their warehouses to protect their employees. And I understood fully. I had to make some big changes to the business from my original plan but I will do whatever it takes.
June 2020, I finally launched and it was one of the greatest feelings. I did it. I checked it off my bucket list. And we’re going on two years this year! It still has its ebbs and flows, but without a doubt, we’re moving forward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was scheduled to launch in March of 2020, right before my birthday. Planning a huge launch party with a guest list of around 125.
And then it had happened so fast, changes happening every day, that I didn’t fully realize the extent of COVID-19. Until I turned on the news, seeing updates and stories of people getting severely sick and small businesses having to shut down and lay off employees.
So I postponed. Not only the launch party but the website itself. The unemployment rate was skyrocketing. It felt so wrong to launch a clothing boutique when people couldn’t even buy groceries. It just didn’t feel right. I decided to work on my brand more. We all needed a moment to watch and learn what would come of this worldwide pandemic. But I went on to perfect things and continue to make it better. I had shipments that were being delayed anyways from vendors having to close their warehouses to protect their employees. And I understood fully. I had to make some big changes to the business from my original plan but I will do whatever it takes.
And by whatever it takes means I wear multiple hats. I’m the photographer, editor, marketer, buyer, shipment department, customer service and everything in between.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been in the marketing world going on seven years now. I’m the friend that gets recommended to for help with anything social media, print, and marketing. I learned working in different fields that marketing is universal. No matter what the business is, there will always be a similar plan on how you market your brand or product. So it’s been great to be able to do it for my own business.
I multitask between running my business along with being a full-time marketing specialist for an EV Charging Company here in San Diego.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I would say you will always be more successful if you accept help from the people around you. I have a really hard time asking for help because I have the mentality that I need to do it myself. Which I’m still learning to accept.
Contact Info:
- Email: paxton.harman@paxtonaveryco.com
- Website: www.paxtonaveryco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/paxtonaveryco
Image Credits
Leinin Schuerr
