BFN entrepreneur takes to road with ‘Love Street’

By Sharon Weatherall

Here's a girl after my own heart - love beads, floppy hats, colourful bags and ty-died clothing. She's making a big hit by bringing trendy hippie fashions back into style.

Mary King is taking people back in time with her 60’s and 70’s boutique called ‘Love Street’.

The Beausoleil First Nation woman started a clothing business on Christian Island which she has taken to the road by operating out of her vehicle. This summer Love Street stretches for miles stopping along the First Nation Pow Wow circuit and some music festivals.

A trendy entrepreneur, King features exclusive fashions, textiles and jewellery that people can really get into the groove with.

 “I always had a dream of owning my own clothing boutique and thought where better to set up than on Christian Island and travel around to various festivals and pow wows. It keeps my family together and is something we can do together,” said King.

 “This is my first business and as far as I know, the first of its kind on the island.  Folks in the community have been very receptive and the islanders are my best customers. My target market is great – a bunch of groovy, fun loving people.”

King who loves being outside, traveling and meeting new people, has always had a love affair with fashion - particularly boho/hippie fashion and music of the 60s and 70s. The business is a dream that stems back to her youth. Appropriately, the name comes from The Doors song, called ‘Love Street’, which came out in 1968 on their ‘Waiting for the Sun’ album.

While having fun on the road this summer, King practices her strategy and plans for expansion in the near future.

“My selling strategy is to promote fair trade and eco-friendly fashions and accessories, letting my customers know their purchase helps promote fair trade and anti-child labor practices and environmental sustainability,” said King who will open a permanent boutique in her home on Christian Island, while still traveling to festivals and POW wows on weekends.

 

“We are going to start renovating this fall and I have already purchased various vintage furnishings and decor to decorate it. When they walk into the boutique I want my customers to feel like they are walking straight into the 60s. It’s going to have a really groovy vibe.” 

King’s long term plan is to start designing her own clothing line with inspirations from the 60’s and 70’s, all made fair trade and with eco-friendly fabrics such as hemp, bamboo, recycled plastic etc.

 

“The next step is to set up my website www.lovestreet.ca and sell online,” said King

“I like to plan for the future. I keep a positive mind and attitude that everything will work out the way it’s meant to and it usually does.” 

When the Christian Island boutique opens in the spring of 2015 it will not only cater to women but carry men’s and children's clothing as well as some home decor items.

While the response to Love Street has been great King takes every opportunity to promote her business. Even though the first summer of operations has exceeded expectations, she knows it takes hard work to get your name out there when you first start up a business. 

“Anybody can do this. I think the most important thing to remember, going into business for yourself is it isn't going to make you rich. For me, it was to support fair trade and labor practices and offering eco-friendly fashions and textiles. This is my small part in making the world a better place,” said King.

  

King hopes Love Street is an inspiration for more businesses to start up on Christian Island.

“It is my hope that people would be encouraged to take chances. It really didn't take a lot to start up. I had a small investment that I put into buying inventory, a tent, racks and displays and away we went,” said King.

“I worked as an accountant for eight years, and although I love what I did, it just wasn't me anymore and I felt like I was chained to a desk. I really needed to get out there and do something I've always wanted to do - selling awesome clothes and making people feel sexy, chic and different from the norm.”

For more information email Mary King at lovestreetfashions@gmail.com or visit the web site: www.lovestreet.ca