Video footage by Jasmine Conkle
by Elisabeth Weems
On Friday, April 8th, the Tremont neighborhood held its monthly ArtWalk (now Walkabout Tremont) to showcase and celebrate local art and artists. Residents and visitors enjoyed pop-up shops, delicious dining and the grand opening of two unique boutiques in one building: Jennifer Marks’ Makers, and Megan Baechle’s The Wizard of Oddz. The Tremonster had the chance to interview both entrepreneurs during the grand opening of their sister shops.
Jennifer Marks, owner of Makers
Tremonster: How does your partnership with the Wizard of Oddz aid in the development of both of these boutiques – and what does it mean to have each other’s support?
Marks: I was in Bad Girl Ventures* and met a lot of really amazing women. As women entrepreneurs, we have an uphill battle: our access to funds, our access to patrons…we really struggle. We’re here to support each other, and what I found out was these amazing, amazing women have these great business ideas, but they’re being steered toward three-year leases – very expensive leases – triple net terms, and things like that. We were very fortunate to be able to offer a space for another female entrepreneur who is starting her venture, which was Megan and Wizard of Oddz. We’re here. We’re invested in the community. We want to work with the community – we do fundraisers and we donate to the local charities – that’s what is important to me. At the end of the day, I need to feel good about what I’m doing. Continue reading
