Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanne Ross.
Deanne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My mom, Dolores Buller, started the store 42 years ago. She was newly divorced and needed a way to support her two young daughters. She bought Act II from a lady who had just opened it two months prior. The lady who she bought the store from needed to sell the store because her husband was being transferred to another state. Without any retail experience, and without knowing anything about resale, she purchased the store. She worked diligently in the store every single day to make it a success. I started working in the store when I was young, about 13 years old. I fell in love with it. Everything about it. I worked through high school in the store and also in college. Once I graduated from San Diego State University, I decided to make ACT II my full-time career. We then, at one point, had four locations. They were all very successful. One of the locations was the children’s store, and one of the locations was half children’s and half ladies. Over the next few years, I got married and closed one of the locations. And then I had a daughter, and then I closed a second location, so then for a long time, we had two locations. And now we have one very successful location in La Mesa Village. We are celebrating 42 years in business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As an owner-operated business, nothing ever goes smoothly. You have to struggle along the way to make it in this business. You have to change with the times, and sometimes there are changes that you don’t want to make, but you need to survive, so you have to make those changes.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Every day, I feel lucky to go to work. I absolutely love what I do, and part of my luck is finding wonderful people to work with. One of the gals that runs the store name. Andrea has been with me for 25 years. She helps to make the store a beautiful place for people to shop. I feel lucky to have her as well as all of the other ladies that have worked with us over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myactii.com
- Instagram: Act2lamesa on Instagram
- Facebook: Actiiboutique on Facebook
