What if you could turn your passion for fashion into a powerhouse boutique that doubles as a force for good? Join us as we catch up with Carlina Alder and Azlinn Edwards, the mother-daughter duo behind Tennessee’s beloved fashion haven, Aslan Hope. Fresh off a dazzling fashion show that not only showcased the latest trends but also raised over $5,000 for breast cancer awareness, Carlina and Azlinn offer a wealth of insights into the fall and holiday fashion scene. They discuss their unique collaboration with Rick Hill's Porsche, which brings an extra touch of elegance to their events, and the incredible support they've garnered from local businesses and volunteers in downtown Johnson City.
But it's not all glitz and glamour—Carlina and Azlinn delve into the realities of running a boutique, from the art of market purchasing and trend forecasting to the emotional nuances of personalized customer service. They share heartfelt stories of making women feel truly seen and confident, emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships in their business model. Discover their commitment to curating stylish, comfortable, and versatile clothing that resonates not just with the trends but with the heart. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with inspiring stories and practical advice on building a business that's both stylish and socially impactful.
To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:19):
One, two, three things to do and awesome local
businesses, and on this showyou'll find out why people are
dying to move to NortheastTennessee.
And on the way, we'll havediscussions about mortgages and
we'll interview people in thereal estate industry.
It's what we do.
This is Benchmark Happenings,brought to you by Benchmark Home
(00:40):
Loans, and now your host,christine Reed home loans.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
And now your host, christine Reed.
Well, welcome back everyone toanother fabulous episode of
Benchmark Happenings.
And I have speaking of fabulous.
I have two of my most fabulousfriends that I love dearly that
have joined us today.
So Carlina Alder and AslynEdwards.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Yes, thank you for having us.
We're so excited.
We love and adore you.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Oh well, it's very mutual.
I love both of you, two of themost beautiful ladies, and you
know you own and operate,probably in my opinion, one of
the best fashion boutiques, notonly in the area, but I would
say you rival most here inTennessee.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Wow, thank you, that's so kind, that is so kind.
Yes, we appreciate that.
We work really hard, you do.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
You do work hard, and I was looking back to the last
time that we had you guys on fora podcast, and that was July of
last year.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Wow, it's it's fine, unbelievable, that it's been
that long yeah, cause we'vealmost been in business for 10
years, do you?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
believe that Years.
That's amazing.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
And downtown Johnson city for the last five of those
10.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yes, yeah, and I know they really appreciate you
being down there to help buildthe businesses and there's been
some fabulous businesses.
Come in down there to helpbuild the businesses and there's
been some fabulous businessescome in.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
It's doing amazing downtown.
The restaurants down therereally bring a lot of people
into that area and yeah, theyfind us.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Yeah, especially if you're moving here, it's a great
place to come downtown.
It's, you know, beautiful.
You can shop.
They've really cleaned it up.
It looks so nice.
You can shop home decor at ourfriend's store reclaimed and
then you can come in and shop ataslan hope.
It's just a great day to grabcoffee, walk around and shop um
and then have dinner.
It's, it's awesome.
I love it and it's beautiful.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Your, your shop is absolutely beautiful.
I mean, talk about eye candywhen you walk into aslan hope
and I know your tagline is hopeis always in style yes, but it's
.
It truly is eye candy to walkin there.
I love it.
So let's catch up on somethings that have been happening
with the two of you.
So just fill us in, aslan andCarlene, on some things that's
(02:58):
been going on.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, we've been.
We just had a huge fashion show, we've been to market.
We know all the fall andholiday trends coming up.
We have so many people that aretrying to join our team so that
we can grow, and it's just beenan amazing year.
So we'll have to fill you in onall the things, but yeah, it's
been awesome.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Well, let's talk about that fashion show, yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Oh, me and Brittany were there with bells on.
It was so bougie it was Thankyou.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
It's a passion to show women beautiful fashion and
bring it to the community in away that everybody can come out
and support a good cause andreally just support the
community, us and otherbusinesses and everybody comes
together in a way that supportsthe whole community and that's
what makes it really specialyeah, it was really special.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
And with the silent auction items that were all
donated by a ton of businessesin our community, we raised over
$5,000 for breast cancerawareness and just that alone
was so much fun to see and towatch and to be able to bring
those people together, like shewas saying, in the community.
I mean we sold way over 250tickets.
I mean we had the time of ourlives.
(04:13):
It was so fun.
You and Brittany lookedabsolutely beautiful in your.
Aslan Hope, as always.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Of course, we both had to sport our Aslan Hope.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I loved it, and then the.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Porsche partnership.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yes, tell us about that how did you get Rick Hill
to bring all those Porsches?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
in, were they not beautiful?
Speaker 3 (04:33):
They were amazing.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Spotless.
They were gorgeous, yes, sothat was fun.
So we wanted to be able toincorporate a new business and
my really good friend, michaelaHill so she's part of the Rick
Kill family and CJ they haveowned it and they've been
running it and doing such anamazing job.
And this year Portia was tryingto empower women.
So they had an empower womenmovement through Portia this
year and so they reached out tous and they were like this would
(04:57):
be an amazing partnership andwe're like of course it would.
And then they're doing thingslike partnering with the Met
Gala and having fashion aroundthat.
So Portia was like, ok, thiswould be perfect to have a
fashion show.
So my really good friendMichaela was like let's do this.
And it worked out and I meanthe community support was
unmatched.
There were so many people there, it was so positive and full of
(05:18):
people just smiling andenjoying and it was a really
beautiful time and how andenjoying, and it was a really
beautiful time and how we pulledit off.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
We're really not sure , we're not sure.
We're a very small scalebusiness.
Um, you know, we have employees, but we like the five of us and
we had some husbands and, yeah,husbands, thank God and good
daddy.
My son-in-law shout out toJared Edwards for being uh be
doing the most he actually isamazing.
(05:47):
He's the most precious husbandin the world Most precious,
driving that U-Haul with allthose goods around Um he's
always there.
He's always there and uh and allof our family and our work
family and then just otherpeople in the community.
Other people came to volunteerthat day just to show their
support.
And it means a lot to us.
(06:08):
You know women supporting otherwomen in the community and
things that they show up and youknow help us do.
It's just.
You know we can never say thankyou enough.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, I can just tell you, when Brittany and I walked
in, it was we were overwhelmedwith how many people were there,
and but you had so many things,not only for women, but you
also catered to the men, so thatwas our goal this year.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah.
So we were like okay, well, ifwe bring cars, men like cars,
they have a little bourbon andchampagne, so you can get both
the women and the men you know,and we had a great time.
The food was amazing, thecatering was fantastic at the
social, so that's a great eventspace.
If you're moving here, it's agreat location, yeah, yeah.
And then the cigar sport yeah,yeah, the cigars.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
I mean you know, that was the sweetest little man, he
was precious, so what a greatidea.
You know, and and it really was, I mean it was, I had people
calling me wanting a ticket andI actually had one of my friends
couldn't go that day, so Icommandeered her ticket to give
to someone else so they couldattend the event.
(07:17):
So really, I think our audiencejust needs to understand that
the Aslan Hope fashion showsthat you guys have been doing
they're really an event that youdon't want to miss.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah that's right, that's our goal.
I mean we hope that people andwe do sometimes as soon as the
one was over.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
They're like when someone in the spring and summer
, you know they really want tomark their calendar.
So we?
Speaker 4 (07:42):
you know we try to get it out there as soon as we
can plan for it.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
And especially if you're a business looking to
find some partnerships to growyour business, I feel like
that's a great opportunity toget a lot of eyes on your
business.
So we have a lot of amazingplatinum sponsors that are able
to do that, supported by, youknow, the whole community to be
able to get together and dosomething that awesome it's.
It's really cool to see it cometogether, Cause we're like
there's no way we just did that,we just pull it off.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
You do, we try, you do and you pull it off with
grace and style.
Thank you and so speaking aboutempowering women.
So, aslyn, I know you've beeninvolved in something I think it
would be good to share aboutstarting point for women.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yes, I would love to.
So what the goal is forstarting point is to find that
starting point.
You're looking to start yourbusiness or to find connection
in the community.
So what we've tried to do isI'm a part of a masterminds
group that other women ownedbusinesses.
They get together and we talkabout our problems, because
being a CEO or owning your ownbusiness it's a little lonely
(08:47):
and I don't think people realizethat and lonely in the sense of
who am I supposed to go to?
Cause you don't have a superioror someone that you could ask
like hey, you've been throughthis before.
How do you do this?
So it's a way to grab thosedifferent people from different
walks of life and say, hey, youknow, we've got someone 20 down,
20 years down the road in abusiness.
Or you know someone like mewho's more savvy with social
(09:09):
media.
You know, we've been able toconnect on so many levels and
what's really cool is thatconnection grows different
opportunities, differentcollaborations, and that alone
has been an amazing place for meto feel like I can go and have
support and trust, and it's agreat, great opportunity.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
So I mean that's wonderful, and how many are in
your group?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
So right now we have 11.
But the first starting point, Ithink we had about 100 people
show up so they come and listenand learn and connect with other
businesses, so it's a greatnetworking opportunity.
The next one is actuallySeptember 10.
And I'm leading it, so I'mexcited to see how many people
come and show up and we're goingto learn and talk about social
(09:51):
media from the standpoint ofInstagram reels, videos, what
those look like versus you knowposts and how to do your
location to be able to findthings you know, just little
tidbits of information that caninspire you and help you grow
your business on a differentlevel through social media.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Wow, that sounds so you have to be part of the
mastermind group to attend,right?
Speaker 2 (10:13):
No, anyone in the community can come.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
So yeah, it's thinking about anybody that owns
a business.
Why would you not want to do?
Social media is the key.
It is.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
It is, and the event itself is such an amazing
networking opportunity, like ason said um, it's tell them where
it is and yeah, so um, ourfriends at uh grace meadow farms
, so they are allowing us to usethat space and it's uh, next
tuesday, september 10th, at 8 30am.
It includes your breakfastcoffee and you can come out and
(10:44):
talk and support and learn andI'll have the PowerPoint
presentation that I'll have.
You can actually take thosenumbers with you and learn and,
you know, have that to accessfor later.
So yeah, Tickets are.
I think they're $40 and they'reonline at reclaimcom.
Okay, yeah, and if you have anyquestions, you can call Aslan
Hope the store, you can call meyou, you can message us, but
(11:04):
it's a great way to get thecommunity involved um and
network.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yeah, I love it.
That sounds exciting.
It is.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
I'm gonna check my calendar you should definitely
try to try to come to that Imight bring steve along you
should they have?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
good coffee.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
I know he likes coffee for social media.
Yes, we need a better presencein social media, for sure well,
I I actually read today that 66%of businesses that are on
Instagram are utilizing it andthat other.
You know those otherpercentages are not, so it's
just trying to utilize that,because that's where all people
are right now.
That's where the ads are goinginstead of on.
(11:40):
You know, some radio, some TVworks.
But if you're a small business,it's a great place to start,
because you can start with asmall amount of money and grow
your business on there.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
That's what I was thinking about you know, and
Instagram.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
It seems to be more prominent for social media
advertising versus Facebook,right, right right, yeah, and
you can use Facebook businesssuite to get it out on both
no-transcript good businesses toconnect with, and that's the
(12:14):
way you got to do it.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Yeah, and you know, it seems like the common theme
with these podcasts, when webring people in, is the
entrepreneurial spirit.
Yes, and that's what I loveabout the two of you.
There's something that sets youapart from so many as an
entrepreneur, and it's such asacrifice that you have to make.
(12:35):
It is a sacrifice.
You look like you're having somuch fun.
Like I said, you always pulleverything off with grace and
style.
It's and there's other thingswe'll talk about coming into the
store and what sets you apart,but I think, as an entrepreneur,
Carlina, what would you, whatwould be some of the things that
that you could give as adviceto some young people wanting to
(12:59):
come up in the business world or, you know, just to really give
them a realistic view that it'sreally not all rainbows and
roses right.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
It is not.
And I think I would start bysaying I think I would start by
saying if you love it, you'llfigure it out.
It won't feel like work anddon't be afraid to stumble, and
you know, and then just get backup and keep going, because I
think for us we've said over the10 years that we definitely
(13:31):
started out crawling.
So don't think you have to haveit all figured out in the very,
very beginning, because youknow, if it's something you've
never done, you won't have itall figured out.
So you will learn as you go andthen, through mentorships and
other small business mentors andleaders like you'll connect
(13:53):
with people who will inspire youor support you through the
process.
We're very fortunate, you know.
Like we said before, workingtogether we bounce a lot of
things off of each other.
So find, you know, someone whowill cheer for you and who isn't
afraid to tell you that theydon't like your idea.
(14:15):
But you know, maybe there'sanother way of looking at
something.
So you know a lot of honesty.
Be accepting to constructivecriticism along the way too,
because if someone's justtelling you what you want to
hear, they're probably nottelling you what you need to
hear, you know.
So I would just say be open toany and all advice and you know,
(14:40):
filter through that and figureout what you can make work.
So it's, it's a process ofcommitment.
If you are in it for the longgame, Um, but just you know, if
you stumble, get right back up.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I tell you I love that, carleneene, and that, just
, really, just as I know you asa woman, I admire you so much
because you, you know, not onlyin the business realm but you're
also a successful mom.
Oh, thank you and I look atAslan, here beside of you, that
beautiful daughter that you'veraised, alex as well, your other
(15:14):
daughter, you've raised Alex aswell, your other daughter,
right, you've done such awonderful job and the
partnership that you all haveit's, it's really just um it.
It takes a lot of work.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
It takes a lot of work it just didn't happen, and
both of you are so intentionalin what you do yes, we try to be
very intentional, um, and itshows with how you know she
raised me and how we've raisedthis business up over the last
10 years so it's fun to to bepartners, because if you're not
sure on a decision, like shesaid, I think it's the best way
(15:43):
is to bounce it off and you'relike nope, yes, maybe yeah,
having someone to give you thatyou know, perspective that you
haven't thought of
Speaker 4 (15:52):
will definitely give you, you know, another way of
you know taking things intoconsideration that you would
need to do.
There's so many decisions thatgo on in the type of business
that we run, because I mean,it's just unbelievable when we
do go to market and we're, youknow, trying to plan our buying
and plan for the future and planso far out, and there's so many
(16:14):
things that we have to filterthrough when we look at what
we're, what we're doing for thebusiness, especially buying and
buying ahead and buying forcertain, you know, customers and
buying for certain trends orbuying for certain things.
So you know we're we're not onlyphysically but mentally
exhausted sometimes goingthrough the process and we're
like Whoa and uh, and sosometimes she'll look at
(16:36):
something in a different lightand I'll be like, no, that's not
our customer, or she'll be, yes, that is our customer.
And then we have to think aboutwhy so there are so many
decisions that go on in theday-to-day, even week-to-week
running of a small business.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Yeah, so you talk about.
You know making decisions aheadof time, especially in market
purchasing.
You know seasons of clothing.
How far ahead are you, ladies,planning?
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Six to eight.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
Yeah, it's about six to eight months yeah, sometimes
yeah, sometimes, yeah yeah 12months Sometimes.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
So times whenever, times on certain brands,
whenever we're like, oh, what'strending for fall or Christmas?
We bought Christmas, probably,you know, three or four months
ago at this point and we're likeyou know what?
We're going to check our books,yeah, because we know, we know
what's trending and what'scoming.
You know, we see those thingslike animal print will be big
for fall 24, um, coming backaround to those kind of key
pieces and um, you know, seeingthose come back in style.
(17:40):
And then how do you make it?
Okay, well, we know ourcustomer now at this point.
So how do we know what she hadmaybe six years ago?
Like I keep that inventory in mybrain, she does, I know it's in
everybody's closets I'm likeand I should sleep better at
night but it's in there.
You know what I mean.
I'm like there's so manythoughts that run through my
brain because I'm like okay,well, I know this customer has
this, so she doesn't needanother pair of you know slacks,
(18:05):
or she doesn't need that color,because we bought gray three
years ago, so let's do them in adifferent color this year so
that you know she loved them andthey flew out the door.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
So let's be more strategic and buy them in cream.
You know, yeah, oh, wow, eventhat.
Yeah, it's that tedious, deepof a thought process at some
point in you know, in some cases, yeah, and I think about it
goes to uh, the next question iswhat's really set you apart
from the other um boutiques, um,fashion stores that are around,
and I think I know I know whatsets you apart, but I want you
to kind of tell our audience andhow you approach women.
(18:46):
You know when they come intoyour store or how you're buying
for.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Yeah, so just yesterday we had a lady come in
and she was telling our storemanager, becca, who is
absolutely amazing and will makeyou feel like a million bucks,
I think.
Hearing those women that comein and they say I have never
felt more welcome.
I have never felt more seen and,you know, cherished.
I think that there's adifference when you can make
(19:12):
people feel so much light, wherethey have a lot of darkness,
because clothing is very, veryhard to put together and wear
and you know, like we've, we'vebeen styling for 10 years now
and she's been doing it for memy whole life.
So you know, just learning howto have those, those
inspirational things and then tospeak light and life and
confidence over women.
(19:33):
I think that's what sets usapart, and to feel welcome when
you walk in somewhere.
That's what you want, right.
Um and so we want people tofeel seen.
And there was a lady that criedon us in the fitting room the
other what couple months ago?
And she was, like you know, noone has told my.
I've been divorced for a coupleof months and no one's told me
I'm beautiful.
And she was in tears, saying,like you just said, that that
(19:55):
dress looked beautiful on me andI'm like you know, there's
things like that where you'rejust like this is awesome and
we've gotten great reviews andyou know we want people to feel
seen and loved.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
And I think it's our honesty.
Yeah, when we help ladies, weare honest with you know, that
does look beautiful.
That's not your size, not yourfit.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
That may not be your color.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
So I think the honesty is what endures people
to us, because they know thatthey'll get a true answer when
they get something that theylike.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Because what we've also learned is it's not sales,
it's how you make people feel.
It's relationships.
It is relationships At the endof the day and I think that's in
the honesty, Like you said ifsomeone's walking around in our
outfit, they're a billboard forus, so also it's a reflection of
how we want them to, you know,be able to be seen as like oh,
that looks beautiful, and we'relike because we took the time to
(20:48):
make it look beautiful.
You know, not trying to sellsomeone something, that's right.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
And I think that goes back to that was exactly what
you know is in my heart, youknow, thinking about how you all
treat people as they come intothe shop, because I've actually
brought friends who don't shop.
They don't like to shop.
They're like, christine, Idon't know how you do what you
do, but you know they alwayslove what I wear.
I'm like Aslan Hope, aslan Hopealways.
(21:15):
And I've taken women there andthey're like, oh my gosh, this
was amazing, I loved it, and soyou do those things.
I have another friend actuallythat I'm going to bring down on
a Friday, so get ready.
She was actually looking at mysocial media and was saying okay
(21:37):
, where did you get this?
I'm like well, I got that atAslan Hope and I said it looks
like we need to schedule a lunchdate and we've got to go
shopping.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Yes, we really like to buy the clothes that we wear,
or?
Speaker 1 (21:52):
we would wear.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
We like clothes that are A little elevated but also
extremely comfortable, so wewant it to be a good experience
to meet our customers whereverthey need their wardrobe to be
enhanced If it's denim, if it'ssneakers, if it's dress shoes or
(22:15):
an event dress.
So I feel like we buy thingsthat we would love and feel
comfortable wearing, and I thinkit's really easy to sell things
like that because you believein it.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
So that's what we do Well, and you both look
beautiful today.
I mean, I'm looking at the theJulie Voss jewelry that you
carry, so we love Julie and youhave a lot of other jewelry
there too, we do?
Speaker 4 (22:39):
We have, and we're always always trying to find
what's new, what's beautiful,what trending, trending, um.
So we're always trying to find.
But we have, um, the Sheilavisual jewelry.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
We have, um, we have a lot of really pretty fashion
jewelry that we really love toaccessorize and make everyone
feel like they've completedtheir look when they walk out
our walk out our door and Ithink what we do so well, which
we talk about on our fashionsegment on wjhl, which is the
local channel here we do afashion segment every month and
what we love is to tell peopleyou can shop I mean, there's
those accessories for 15 to 50to 500 very affordable.
(23:21):
Yes, you can find affordability,and then, if you need something
for an event, we have all ofthat.
So we want people to feel likeit's not expensive.
It's mixing high and low thatcan make it look elevated.
I guess is what our main goalis, so we love that.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
So everyone feels put together they feel completed
when and at a high, low, youknow, range of price points?
Yeah, absolutely, and that'show we like to shop.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Yeah, so so what are some of the trends coming for
the holidays fall and holidays Iknow you've talked about animal
print, aslan, so what?
What else is can we lookforward to?
Speaker 2 (23:57):
So, um, I'm excited to see burgundy accessories this
year.
That's a big trend.
We were talking about that Winecolors.
Yeah, those wine colors.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Wow, haven't seen that in a while.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
Yeah, yes, and we have some belts, some bags, some
things.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
Just touch the bags.
So I have to say, at thefashion show you had the cutest
bag accessories.
They had the pearls wrappedaround them, the square bags you
had clear, you had all thesecolors.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
We do have really fun bags right now, yeah, and
they're such great price pointsfor the style and the uniqueness
that you would find Game daybags We've got some really fun
clear game day bags and then alot of just woven bags and the
acrylic bags that are trendingright now.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
So we're really always on a mission to find
something very unique for ourcustomers and the bags have been
really fun yeah, yeah, thatconversation starter piece is
what we like to say absolutelyyeah.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
So when's market again?
Do you have a plan to go?
Speaker 2 (25:00):
It's so fun so we always go in.
So we go about four, is thatright?
Four times a year, yeah, we'realways, always on a mission.
We are on a mission and I'mtelling you, it's like we make
it look fun and the vendors makeit look fun, but it is a lot of
hard work.
You know, we're up early and weare staying late.
Um, we push it to the lastsecond of every single day and
we're like we are tired.
Speaker 4 (25:21):
But we really try to add to our social media while we
are at market, because we do,you know, be the buyer.
Engage with us, tell us whatyou want us to shop for for you,
if we can find it.
We're always on a mission tofind it for you so engage in our
media.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
When you guys are at market, as I do, I do always
look at your social media and Ilove that.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Uh, when you guys are at market and you're holding
things up and and I can choose,I can say yes or no and it
really affects our, our decisiona lot of times, because we have
a lot of color optionssometimes and we have customers
who you know, know their colornow, or you know, they like
being educated about what theylook good in and they'll be like
buy the blue, buy the red andwe will buy.
(26:07):
You know what the customerwants.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
And sometimes we'll go back and they said we want
the gold instead of the silver.
We'll go back and we'll buy it,you know.
So sometimes we've changed ourminds because the customer has
it's been an overwhelminghundreds of options.
You know hundreds of choicesfor the gold, so we'll go back
and buy it instead of the silver.
You know so.
It's fun, it keeps them engagedand it's also like we care
about that.
We want them to have a voice,you know, at our store, cause
(26:31):
they're the ones buying it.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Absolutely so.
When's the next event for AslanHope?
Speaker 2 (26:37):
So we're we're hoping to do a holiday soiree.
We'll keep you posted.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
We'll keep you posted so excited Like Christmas time?
Yes, potentially, oh my God.
Speaker 4 (26:47):
Between, maybe end of October, first of November.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Probably right before Thanksgiving is kind of what
we're thinking.
Speaker 4 (26:55):
Because we have some really amazing holiday looks and
fun You're going to lose yourmind.
Unique stuff coming this year,so good, but yeah, and then we
have some shopping events, justsmall shopping.
We're going to do our fall openhouse next week, the 12th, 13th
(27:15):
, 14th Yep Thursday, friday,saturday Just stop in.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Have a little pumpkin spice latte or a little coffee
drink and just see what's new.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
I'm definitely going to have to come down because
I've not been in a while and Igot to see the new fall.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
It is rolling in.
It's gorgeous.
And we get boxes every singleday, every single day so.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Steve's back there recording this podcast.
Tell him to let me come andspend money.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Cover your ears and take the limit off the credit
card.
That's right, we got a thumbsup, okay, good so you all can
better him up for me.
We will we'll make her lookgood for you.
Speaker 4 (27:54):
Yes, yes, she does that for you, so she does but
yeah, so uh, just stay tuned onour media post with our open
house.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yeah, we have calendars on our website now so
you can see our events everymonth, which is really helpful,
I think, if anyone owns abusiness that's listening to
this, creating those events forpeople to mark their calendars,
because people are busy You'vegot kids, you've got your own
business to run, but to makethose connections and to come
out and see those people, ourevents are well attended and we
want them to be well attendedbecause we love to see people
(28:27):
network and enjoy new things.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
So, ladies, this has just been.
It's a breath of fresh air andit's just such a privilege to
just be with both of you and Ijust love what you're doing at
Aslan Hope.
I really think you're pouringinto women, you're helping women
, you're building such a greatcommunity and I think you're
(28:53):
just integral to Johnson City.
I hope to see Aslan Hope growand divide and conquer so to
speak Because I thank you.
Ladies, if it can be done, Iknow that the two of you will do
it.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
We hope so.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Thank you, we appreciate that we work hard and
we love and appreciate the timethat you've given us here today
.
Speaker 4 (29:12):
Yes, thank you so much, it's great.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
All right, Well, until next time.
Hopefully it won't be a yearagain.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
No, we're not doing that.
We've got to get it back on.
We're getting back, okay.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
All right, and I'm coming down soon.
Come see me Do some shopping.
Yes, all right.
Thank you, ladies, thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
This has been Benchmark Happenings Brought to
you by Jonathan Tipton and SteveReed from Benchmark Home Loans.
Jonathan and Steve areresidential mortgage lenders
what residential mortgagelenders.
What they do home loans inNortheast Tennessee.
And they're not only licensedin Tennessee, but Florida,
georgia, south Carolina andVirginia.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
(29:49):
If you did, make sure to like,rate and review.
Our passion is NortheastTennessee, so if you have
questions about mortgages, callus at 423-491-5405,.
Call us at 423-491-5405.
And the website iswwwJonathanAndStevecom.
Thanks for being with us andwe'll see you next time on
(30:13):
Benchmark.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
Happenings.
One, two, three things to do and awesome local
businesses, and on this showyou'll find out why people are
dying to move to NortheastTennessee.
And on the way, we'll havediscussions about mortgages and
we'll interview people in thereal estate industry.
It's what we do.
This is Benchmark Happenings,brought to you by Benchmark Home
(00:40):
Loans, and now your host,christine Reed home loans.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
And now your host, christine Reed.
Well, welcome back everyone toanother fabulous episode of
Benchmark Happenings.
And I have speaking of fabulous.
I have two of my most fabulousfriends that I love dearly that
have joined us today.
So Carlina Alder and AslynEdwards.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Yes, thank you for having us.
We're so excited.
We love and adore you.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Oh well, it's very mutual.
I love both of you, two of themost beautiful ladies, and you
know you own and operate,probably in my opinion, one of
the best fashion boutiques, notonly in the area, but I would
say you rival most here inTennessee.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Wow, thank you, that's so kind, that is so kind.
Yes, we appreciate that.
We work really hard, you do.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
You do work hard, and I was looking back to the last
time that we had you guys on fora podcast, and that was July of
last year.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Wow, it's it's fine, unbelievable, that it's been
that long yeah, cause we'vealmost been in business for 10
years, do you?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
believe that Years.
That's amazing.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
And downtown Johnson city for the last five of those
10.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yes, yeah, and I know they really appreciate you
being down there to help buildthe businesses and there's been
some fabulous businesses.
Come in down there to helpbuild the businesses and there's
been some fabulous businessescome in.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
It's doing amazing downtown.
The restaurants down therereally bring a lot of people
into that area and yeah, theyfind us.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Yeah, especially if you're moving here, it's a great
place to come downtown.
It's, you know, beautiful.
You can shop.
They've really cleaned it up.
It looks so nice.
You can shop home decor at ourfriend's store reclaimed and
then you can come in and shop ataslan hope.
It's just a great day to grabcoffee, walk around and shop um
and then have dinner.
It's, it's awesome.
I love it and it's beautiful.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Your, your shop is absolutely beautiful.
I mean, talk about eye candywhen you walk into aslan hope
and I know your tagline is hopeis always in style yes, but it's
.
It truly is eye candy to walkin there.
I love it.
So let's catch up on somethings that have been happening
with the two of you.
So just fill us in, aslan andCarlene, on some things that's
(02:58):
been going on.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, we've been.
We just had a huge fashion show, we've been to market.
We know all the fall andholiday trends coming up.
We have so many people that aretrying to join our team so that
we can grow, and it's just beenan amazing year.
So we'll have to fill you in onall the things, but yeah, it's
been awesome.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Well, let's talk about that fashion show, yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Oh, me and Brittany were there with bells on.
It was so bougie it was Thankyou.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
It's a passion to show women beautiful fashion and
bring it to the community in away that everybody can come out
and support a good cause andreally just support the
community, us and otherbusinesses and everybody comes
together in a way that supportsthe whole community and that's
what makes it really specialyeah, it was really special.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
And with the silent auction items that were all
donated by a ton of businessesin our community, we raised over
$5,000 for breast cancerawareness and just that alone
was so much fun to see and towatch and to be able to bring
those people together, like shewas saying, in the community.
I mean we sold way over 250tickets.
I mean we had the time of ourlives.
(04:13):
It was so fun.
You and Brittany lookedabsolutely beautiful in your.
Aslan Hope, as always.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Of course, we both had to sport our Aslan Hope.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I loved it, and then the.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Porsche partnership.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yes, tell us about that how did you get Rick Hill
to bring all those Porsches?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
in, were they not beautiful?
Speaker 3 (04:33):
They were amazing.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Spotless.
They were gorgeous, yes, sothat was fun.
So we wanted to be able toincorporate a new business and
my really good friend, michaelaHill so she's part of the Rick
Kill family and CJ they haveowned it and they've been
running it and doing such anamazing job.
And this year Portia was tryingto empower women.
So they had an empower womenmovement through Portia this
year and so they reached out tous and they were like this would
(04:57):
be an amazing partnership andwe're like of course it would.
And then they're doing thingslike partnering with the Met
Gala and having fashion aroundthat.
So Portia was like, ok, thiswould be perfect to have a
fashion show.
So my really good friendMichaela was like let's do this.
And it worked out and I meanthe community support was
unmatched.
There were so many people there, it was so positive and full of
(05:18):
people just smiling andenjoying and it was a really
beautiful time and how andenjoying, and it was a really
beautiful time and how we pulledit off.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
We're really not sure , we're not sure.
We're a very small scalebusiness.
Um, you know, we have employees, but we like the five of us and
we had some husbands and, yeah,husbands, thank God and good
daddy.
My son-in-law shout out toJared Edwards for being uh be
doing the most he actually isamazing.
(05:47):
He's the most precious husbandin the world Most precious,
driving that U-Haul with allthose goods around Um he's
always there.
He's always there and uh and allof our family and our work
family and then just otherpeople in the community.
Other people came to volunteerthat day just to show their
support.
And it means a lot to us.
(06:08):
You know women supporting otherwomen in the community and
things that they show up and youknow help us do.
It's just.
You know we can never say thankyou enough.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, I can just tell you, when Brittany and I walked
in, it was we were overwhelmedwith how many people were there,
and but you had so many things,not only for women, but you
also catered to the men, so thatwas our goal this year.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah.
So we were like okay, well, ifwe bring cars, men like cars,
they have a little bourbon andchampagne, so you can get both
the women and the men you know,and we had a great time.
The food was amazing, thecatering was fantastic at the
social, so that's a great eventspace.
If you're moving here, it's agreat location, yeah, yeah.
And then the cigar sport yeah,yeah, the cigars.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
I mean you know, that was the sweetest little man, he
was precious, so what a greatidea.
You know, and and it really was, I mean it was, I had people
calling me wanting a ticket andI actually had one of my friends
couldn't go that day, so Icommandeered her ticket to give
to someone else so they couldattend the event.
(07:17):
So really, I think our audiencejust needs to understand that
the Aslan Hope fashion showsthat you guys have been doing
they're really an event that youdon't want to miss.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah that's right, that's our goal.
I mean we hope that people andwe do sometimes as soon as the
one was over.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
They're like when someone in the spring and summer
, you know they really want tomark their calendar.
So we?
Speaker 4 (07:42):
you know we try to get it out there as soon as we
can plan for it.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
And especially if you're a business looking to
find some partnerships to growyour business, I feel like
that's a great opportunity toget a lot of eyes on your
business.
So we have a lot of amazingplatinum sponsors that are able
to do that, supported by, youknow, the whole community to be
able to get together and dosomething that awesome it's.
It's really cool to see it cometogether, Cause we're like
there's no way we just did that,we just pull it off.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
You do, we try, you do and you pull it off with
grace and style.
Thank you and so speaking aboutempowering women.
So, aslyn, I know you've beeninvolved in something I think it
would be good to share aboutstarting point for women.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yes, I would love to.
So what the goal is forstarting point is to find that
starting point.
You're looking to start yourbusiness or to find connection
in the community.
So what we've tried to do isI'm a part of a masterminds
group that other women ownedbusinesses.
They get together and we talkabout our problems, because
being a CEO or owning your ownbusiness it's a little lonely
(08:47):
and I don't think people realizethat and lonely in the sense of
who am I supposed to go to?
Cause you don't have a superioror someone that you could ask
like hey, you've been throughthis before.
How do you do this?
So it's a way to grab thosedifferent people from different
walks of life and say, hey, youknow, we've got someone 20 down,
20 years down the road in abusiness.
Or you know someone like mewho's more savvy with social
(09:09):
media.
You know, we've been able toconnect on so many levels and
what's really cool is thatconnection grows different
opportunities, differentcollaborations, and that alone
has been an amazing place for meto feel like I can go and have
support and trust, and it's agreat, great opportunity.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
So I mean that's wonderful, and how many are in
your group?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
So right now we have 11.
But the first starting point, Ithink we had about 100 people
show up so they come and listenand learn and connect with other
businesses, so it's a greatnetworking opportunity.
The next one is actuallySeptember 10.
And I'm leading it, so I'mexcited to see how many people
come and show up and we're goingto learn and talk about social
(09:51):
media from the standpoint ofInstagram reels, videos, what
those look like versus you knowposts and how to do your
location to be able to findthings you know, just little
tidbits of information that caninspire you and help you grow
your business on a differentlevel through social media.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Wow, that sounds so you have to be part of the
mastermind group to attend,right?
Speaker 2 (10:13):
No, anyone in the community can come.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
So yeah, it's thinking about anybody that owns
a business.
Why would you not want to do?
Social media is the key.
It is.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
It is, and the event itself is such an amazing
networking opportunity, like ason said um, it's tell them where
it is and yeah, so um, ourfriends at uh grace meadow farms
, so they are allowing us to usethat space and it's uh, next
tuesday, september 10th, at 8 30am.
It includes your breakfastcoffee and you can come out and
(10:44):
talk and support and learn andI'll have the PowerPoint
presentation that I'll have.
You can actually take thosenumbers with you and learn and,
you know, have that to accessfor later.
So yeah, Tickets are.
I think they're $40 and they'reonline at reclaimcom.
Okay, yeah, and if you have anyquestions, you can call Aslan
Hope the store, you can call meyou, you can message us, but
(11:04):
it's a great way to get thecommunity involved um and
network.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Yeah, I love it.
That sounds exciting.
It is.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
I'm gonna check my calendar you should definitely
try to try to come to that Imight bring steve along you
should they have?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
good coffee.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
I know he likes coffee for social media.
Yes, we need a better presencein social media, for sure well,
I I actually read today that 66%of businesses that are on
Instagram are utilizing it andthat other.
You know those otherpercentages are not, so it's
just trying to utilize that,because that's where all people
are right now.
That's where the ads are goinginstead of on.
(11:40):
You know, some radio, some TVworks.
But if you're a small business,it's a great place to start,
because you can start with asmall amount of money and grow
your business on there.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
That's what I was thinking about you know, and
Instagram.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
It seems to be more prominent for social media
advertising versus Facebook,right, right right, yeah, and
you can use Facebook businesssuite to get it out on both
no-transcript good businesses toconnect with, and that's the
(12:14):
way you got to do it.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Yeah, and you know, it seems like the common theme
with these podcasts, when webring people in, is the
entrepreneurial spirit.
Yes, and that's what I loveabout the two of you.
There's something that sets youapart from so many as an
entrepreneur, and it's such asacrifice that you have to make.
(12:35):
It is a sacrifice.
You look like you're having somuch fun.
Like I said, you always pulleverything off with grace and
style.
It's and there's other thingswe'll talk about coming into the
store and what sets you apart,but I think, as an entrepreneur,
Carlina, what would you, whatwould be some of the things that
that you could give as adviceto some young people wanting to
(12:59):
come up in the business world or, you know, just to really give
them a realistic view that it'sreally not all rainbows and
roses right.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
It is not.
And I think I would start bysaying I think I would start by
saying if you love it, you'llfigure it out.
It won't feel like work anddon't be afraid to stumble, and
you know, and then just get backup and keep going, because I
think for us we've said over the10 years that we definitely
(13:31):
started out crawling.
So don't think you have to haveit all figured out in the very,
very beginning, because youknow, if it's something you've
never done, you won't have itall figured out.
So you will learn as you go andthen, through mentorships and
other small business mentors andleaders like you'll connect
(13:53):
with people who will inspire youor support you through the
process.
We're very fortunate, you know.
Like we said before, workingtogether we bounce a lot of
things off of each other.
So find, you know, someone whowill cheer for you and who isn't
afraid to tell you that theydon't like your idea.
(14:15):
But you know, maybe there'sanother way of looking at
something.
So you know a lot of honesty.
Be accepting to constructivecriticism along the way too,
because if someone's justtelling you what you want to
hear, they're probably nottelling you what you need to
hear, you know.
So I would just say be open toany and all advice and you know,
(14:40):
filter through that and figureout what you can make work.
So it's, it's a process ofcommitment.
If you are in it for the longgame, Um, but just you know, if
you stumble, get right back up.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I tell you I love that, carleneene, and that, just
, really, just as I know you asa woman, I admire you so much
because you, you know, not onlyin the business realm but you're
also a successful mom.
Oh, thank you and I look atAslan, here beside of you, that
beautiful daughter that you'veraised, alex as well, your other
(15:14):
daughter, you've raised Alex aswell, your other daughter,
right, you've done such awonderful job and the
partnership that you all haveit's, it's really just um it.
It takes a lot of work.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
It takes a lot of work it just didn't happen, and
both of you are so intentionalin what you do yes, we try to be
very intentional, um, and itshows with how you know she
raised me and how we've raisedthis business up over the last
10 years so it's fun to to bepartners, because if you're not
sure on a decision, like shesaid, I think it's the best way
(15:43):
is to bounce it off and you'relike nope, yes, maybe yeah,
having someone to give you thatyou know, perspective that you
haven't thought of
Speaker 4 (15:52):
will definitely give you, you know, another way of
you know taking things intoconsideration that you would
need to do.
There's so many decisions thatgo on in the type of business
that we run, because I mean,it's just unbelievable when we
do go to market and we're, youknow, trying to plan our buying
and plan for the future and planso far out, and there's so many
(16:14):
things that we have to filterthrough when we look at what
we're, what we're doing for thebusiness, especially buying and
buying ahead and buying forcertain, you know, customers and
buying for certain trends orbuying for certain things.
So you know we're we're not onlyphysically but mentally
exhausted sometimes goingthrough the process and we're
like Whoa and uh, and sosometimes she'll look at
(16:36):
something in a different lightand I'll be like, no, that's not
our customer, or she'll be, yes, that is our customer.
And then we have to think aboutwhy so there are so many
decisions that go on in theday-to-day, even week-to-week
running of a small business.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Yeah, so you talk about.
You know making decisions aheadof time, especially in market
purchasing.
You know seasons of clothing.
How far ahead are you, ladies,planning?
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Six to eight.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
Yeah, it's about six to eight months yeah, sometimes
yeah, sometimes, yeah yeah 12months Sometimes.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
So times whenever, times on certain brands,
whenever we're like, oh, what'strending for fall or Christmas?
We bought Christmas, probably,you know, three or four months
ago at this point and we're likeyou know what?
We're going to check our books,yeah, because we know, we know
what's trending and what'scoming.
You know, we see those thingslike animal print will be big
for fall 24, um, coming backaround to those kind of key
pieces and um, you know, seeingthose come back in style.
(17:40):
And then how do you make it?
Okay, well, we know ourcustomer now at this point.
So how do we know what she hadmaybe six years ago?
Like I keep that inventory in mybrain, she does, I know it's in
everybody's closets I'm likeand I should sleep better at
night but it's in there.
You know what I mean.
I'm like there's so manythoughts that run through my
brain because I'm like okay,well, I know this customer has
this, so she doesn't needanother pair of you know slacks,
(18:05):
or she doesn't need that color,because we bought gray three
years ago, so let's do them in adifferent color this year so
that you know she loved them andthey flew out the door.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
So let's be more strategic and buy them in cream.
You know, yeah, oh, wow, eventhat.
Yeah, it's that tedious, deepof a thought process at some
point in you know, in some cases, yeah, and I think about it
goes to uh, the next question iswhat's really set you apart
from the other um boutiques, um,fashion stores that are around,
and I think I know I know whatsets you apart, but I want you
to kind of tell our audience andhow you approach women.
(18:46):
You know when they come intoyour store or how you're buying
for.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Yeah, so just yesterday we had a lady come in
and she was telling our storemanager, becca, who is
absolutely amazing and will makeyou feel like a million bucks,
I think.
Hearing those women that comein and they say I have never
felt more welcome.
I have never felt more seen and,you know, cherished.
I think that there's adifference when you can make
(19:12):
people feel so much light, wherethey have a lot of darkness,
because clothing is very, veryhard to put together and wear
and you know, like we've, we'vebeen styling for 10 years now
and she's been doing it for memy whole life.
So you know, just learning howto have those, those
inspirational things and then tospeak light and life and
confidence over women.
(19:33):
I think that's what sets usapart, and to feel welcome when
you walk in somewhere.
That's what you want, right.
Um and so we want people tofeel seen.
And there was a lady that criedon us in the fitting room the
other what couple months ago?
And she was, like you know, noone has told my.
I've been divorced for a coupleof months and no one's told me
I'm beautiful.
And she was in tears, saying,like you just said, that that
(19:55):
dress looked beautiful on me andI'm like you know, there's
things like that where you'rejust like this is awesome and
we've gotten great reviews andyou know we want people to feel
seen and loved.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
And I think it's our honesty.
Yeah, when we help ladies, weare honest with you know, that
does look beautiful.
That's not your size, not yourfit.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
That may not be your color.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
So I think the honesty is what endures people
to us, because they know thatthey'll get a true answer when
they get something that theylike.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Because what we've also learned is it's not sales,
it's how you make people feel.
It's relationships.
It is relationships At the endof the day and I think that's in
the honesty, Like you said ifsomeone's walking around in our
outfit, they're a billboard forus, so also it's a reflection of
how we want them to, you know,be able to be seen as like oh,
that looks beautiful, and we'relike because we took the time to
(20:48):
make it look beautiful.
You know, not trying to sellsomeone something, that's right.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
And I think that goes back to that was exactly what
you know is in my heart, youknow, thinking about how you all
treat people as they come intothe shop, because I've actually
brought friends who don't shop.
They don't like to shop.
They're like, christine, Idon't know how you do what you
do, but you know they alwayslove what I wear.
I'm like Aslan Hope, aslan Hopealways.
(21:15):
And I've taken women there andthey're like, oh my gosh, this
was amazing, I loved it, and soyou do those things.
I have another friend actuallythat I'm going to bring down on
a Friday, so get ready.
She was actually looking at mysocial media and was saying okay
(21:37):
, where did you get this?
I'm like well, I got that atAslan Hope and I said it looks
like we need to schedule a lunchdate and we've got to go
shopping.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Yes, we really like to buy the clothes that we wear,
or?
Speaker 1 (21:52):
we would wear.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
We like clothes that are A little elevated but also
extremely comfortable, so wewant it to be a good experience
to meet our customers whereverthey need their wardrobe to be
enhanced If it's denim, if it'ssneakers, if it's dress shoes or
(22:15):
an event dress.
So I feel like we buy thingsthat we would love and feel
comfortable wearing, and I thinkit's really easy to sell things
like that because you believein it.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
So that's what we do Well, and you both look
beautiful today.
I mean, I'm looking at the theJulie Voss jewelry that you
carry, so we love Julie and youhave a lot of other jewelry
there too, we do?
Speaker 4 (22:39):
We have, and we're always always trying to find
what's new, what's beautiful,what trending, trending, um.
So we're always trying to find.
But we have, um, the Sheilavisual jewelry.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
We have, um, we have a lot of really pretty fashion
jewelry that we really love toaccessorize and make everyone
feel like they've completedtheir look when they walk out
our walk out our door and Ithink what we do so well, which
we talk about on our fashionsegment on wjhl, which is the
local channel here we do afashion segment every month and
what we love is to tell peopleyou can shop I mean, there's
those accessories for 15 to 50to 500 very affordable.
(23:21):
Yes, you can find affordability,and then, if you need something
for an event, we have all ofthat.
So we want people to feel likeit's not expensive.
It's mixing high and low thatcan make it look elevated.
I guess is what our main goalis, so we love that.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
So everyone feels put together they feel completed
when and at a high, low, youknow, range of price points?
Yeah, absolutely, and that'show we like to shop.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Yeah, so so what are some of the trends coming for
the holidays fall and holidays Iknow you've talked about animal
print, aslan, so what?
What else is can we lookforward to?
Speaker 2 (23:57):
So, um, I'm excited to see burgundy accessories this
year.
That's a big trend.
We were talking about that Winecolors.
Yeah, those wine colors.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Wow, haven't seen that in a while.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
Yeah, yes, and we have some belts, some bags, some
things.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
Just touch the bags.
So I have to say, at thefashion show you had the cutest
bag accessories.
They had the pearls wrappedaround them, the square bags you
had clear, you had all thesecolors.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
We do have really fun bags right now, yeah, and
they're such great price pointsfor the style and the uniqueness
that you would find Game daybags We've got some really fun
clear game day bags and then alot of just woven bags and the
acrylic bags that are trendingright now.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
So we're really always on a mission to find
something very unique for ourcustomers and the bags have been
really fun yeah, yeah, thatconversation starter piece is
what we like to say absolutelyyeah.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
So when's market again?
Do you have a plan to go?
Speaker 2 (25:00):
It's so fun so we always go in.
So we go about four, is thatright?
Four times a year, yeah, we'realways, always on a mission.
We are on a mission and I'mtelling you, it's like we make
it look fun and the vendors makeit look fun, but it is a lot of
hard work.
You know, we're up early and weare staying late.
Um, we push it to the lastsecond of every single day and
we're like we are tired.
Speaker 4 (25:21):
But we really try to add to our social media while we
are at market, because we do,you know, be the buyer.
Engage with us, tell us whatyou want us to shop for for you,
if we can find it.
We're always on a mission tofind it for you so engage in our
media.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
When you guys are at market, as I do, I do always
look at your social media and Ilove that.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Uh, when you guys are at market and you're holding
things up and and I can choose,I can say yes or no and it
really affects our, our decisiona lot of times, because we have
a lot of color optionssometimes and we have customers
who you know, know their colornow, or you know, they like
being educated about what theylook good in and they'll be like
buy the blue, buy the red andwe will buy.
(26:07):
You know what the customerwants.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
And sometimes we'll go back and they said we want
the gold instead of the silver.
We'll go back and we'll buy it,you know.
So sometimes we've changed ourminds because the customer has
it's been an overwhelminghundreds of options.
You know hundreds of choicesfor the gold, so we'll go back
and buy it instead of the silver.
You know so.
It's fun, it keeps them engagedand it's also like we care
about that.
We want them to have a voice,you know, at our store, cause
(26:31):
they're the ones buying it.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Absolutely so.
When's the next event for AslanHope?
Speaker 2 (26:37):
So we're we're hoping to do a holiday soiree.
We'll keep you posted.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
We'll keep you posted so excited Like Christmas time?
Yes, potentially, oh my God.
Speaker 4 (26:47):
Between, maybe end of October, first of November.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Probably right before Thanksgiving is kind of what
we're thinking.
Speaker 4 (26:55):
Because we have some really amazing holiday looks and
fun You're going to lose yourmind.
Unique stuff coming this year,so good, but yeah, and then we
have some shopping events, justsmall shopping.
We're going to do our fall openhouse next week, the 12th, 13th
(27:15):
, 14th Yep Thursday, friday,saturday Just stop in.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Have a little pumpkin spice latte or a little coffee
drink and just see what's new.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
I'm definitely going to have to come down because
I've not been in a while and Igot to see the new fall.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
It is rolling in.
It's gorgeous.
And we get boxes every singleday, every single day so.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Steve's back there recording this podcast.
Tell him to let me come andspend money.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Cover your ears and take the limit off the credit
card.
That's right, we got a thumbsup, okay, good so you all can
better him up for me.
We will we'll make her lookgood for you.
Speaker 4 (27:54):
Yes, yes, she does that for you, so she does but
yeah, so uh, just stay tuned onour media post with our open
house.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yeah, we have calendars on our website now so
you can see our events everymonth, which is really helpful,
I think, if anyone owns abusiness that's listening to
this, creating those events forpeople to mark their calendars,
because people are busy You'vegot kids, you've got your own
business to run, but to makethose connections and to come
out and see those people, ourevents are well attended and we
want them to be well attendedbecause we love to see people
(28:27):
network and enjoy new things.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
So, ladies, this has just been.
It's a breath of fresh air andit's just such a privilege to
just be with both of you and Ijust love what you're doing at
Aslan Hope.
I really think you're pouringinto women, you're helping women
, you're building such a greatcommunity and I think you're
(28:53):
just integral to Johnson City.
I hope to see Aslan Hope growand divide and conquer so to
speak Because I thank you.
Ladies, if it can be done, Iknow that the two of you will do
it.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
We hope so.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
Thank you, we appreciate that we work hard and
we love and appreciate the timethat you've given us here today
.
Speaker 4 (29:12):
Yes, thank you so much, it's great.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
All right, Well, until next time.
Hopefully it won't be a yearagain.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
No, we're not doing that.
We've got to get it back on.
We're getting back, okay.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
All right, and I'm coming down soon.
Come see me Do some shopping.
Yes, all right.
Thank you, ladies, thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
This has been Benchmark Happenings Brought to
you by Jonathan Tipton and SteveReed from Benchmark Home Loans.
Jonathan and Steve areresidential mortgage lenders
what residential mortgagelenders.
What they do home loans inNortheast Tennessee.
And they're not only licensedin Tennessee, but Florida,
georgia, south Carolina andVirginia.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
(29:49):
If you did, make sure to like,rate and review.
Our passion is NortheastTennessee, so if you have
questions about mortgages, callus at 423-491-5405,.
Call us at 423-491-5405.
And the website iswwwJonathanAndStevecom.
Thanks for being with us andwe'll see you next time on
(30:13):
Benchmark.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
Happenings.
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