Happy Birthday to fab'rik! A note from our CEO

Team,

So I know there are many vintage fab'rik ladies that have heard this story but for all of the newbies, I wanted to take a minute to share the behind the scenes fab'rik story because while fab'rik is chic and cool now, the beginning was anything but :)

As most of you know, fab'rik came to be out of a break up with my 7 year boyfriend....I was supposed to be moving to NYC to start our life together and I called him on my bday in June many years ago to discuss flight info and heard a girl in the background...not good news for me at the time but great news for the rest of my life. I can't lie, I did the typical, can't get out of my bed, sobbing, crying, pranking him, crying, maybe we can work it out, crying routine until my roommates took away the phone (yes we had one in the house, not a cell back in the day.) I remember paying for my gas at the gas station one day and the guy said 'how are you today" and I gave him a 5 minute speech on my breakup and asked him what he would do?!?!?  About a month later, I decided, well really my best friends decided I had to figure out what made me happy, what I wanted to do with my life, what in the world could take away this pain and frankly had to get out of bed and live again. So after many online tests and wine dinners with friends, strumming through the dictionary for a name...fab'rik was born-or atleast the idea. I started the business plan, came up with the name and I was off! 

August 1st 2000: I woke up that morning, the first morning in a long time where I could get out of bed without my heart 100% broken, got dressed in what would later be called my court outfit :) and went downtown to get fab'rik incorporated, it was official. While all I had was a piece of paper, it was the beginning of a dream. As most of you know I love the quote "A goal is just a dream with a deadline" so I gave myself one. I told myself in 1 year I am going to open this store.  So that night my girlfriends came over to require me to go out. Now this was a huge deal because since my breakup, I didn't go out. I liked to stay at home so I could cry as much as I wanted and tell the same old theories of why I could make it work with this guy, maybe that was his sister on the phone, I know he loves me....blah blah blah. They weren't having it. They were not only taking me out, they were taking me dancing in the old school Buckhead area...for those of you who are too young, this place was like no other, streets and streets of bars. Beyond fun...beyond cheesy. Long story short....we were dancing and all of a sudden looked over at my friend Counts and said" That guy right there, that's my husband" She kinda laughed but then she knew me so well so knew I was probably going to go tell him that....which I did. I walked up to my now Husband Angelo and said"I know this sounds crazy but I'm going to marry you" He gave his signature Angelo smile and with 8 guys surrounding didn't call me crazy to my face :). As if that wasn't awkward enough I also told him my mom told me I was going to marry a Taurus so had to make sure he was one. After explaining several times it was a sun sign not a tourist, he showed me his license and May 1st confirmed he was in fact a Taurus :) We decided to go on a date that saturday night, he asked for my number of which I wouldn't give him and got his...I was not letting this one get away and wanted to make sure our date happened. It did and so did every day since then. Starting my dream business in the morning and finding the love of my life that day, that is a productive day! 

I feel like I was just a kid at 26 trying to come up with a vision for this company...what I wanted to put in that blank (but my banker wouldn't let me) was: "My vision is that we are still open in a year"...but after many hours of hashing one out I put " to create a boutique where everyone can afford to feel beautiful." fab'rik does that, you all do that each day as you remind a mom who just had a baby that she can wear skinny jeans or when you share the joy of a newly engaged customer  or most importantly you listen to the girl who just got broken up with and she leaves with a pair of shoes but really with the hope that she is beautiful even as she is broken.

As I woke up this morning, this side of story, the messy side of the story was running through my head and my heart and wanted to share it with you all. I am so grateful that God has given me the ability to discern what I want and the courage to go after what I need. Now, there are times I have messed this up-what I want and what I need :) but I have been given the endurance to try again, to wipe away ego and fight for what I believe in, follow my passion and finally now live for the purpose that I believe God wanted all along for fab'rik. Thank you all for doing this with me.

I love you all more than you ever will know. My entire heart is in this company and I would do anything for any of you. I have tears as i am typing this because I wish you all were here so I could tell each of you individually, thank you! Thank you for loving fab'rik so much. We have so much to look forward to and I'm so blessed to be on this adventure with all of you! Believe it or not, it's only just begun!

xoxo

Q&A with fab'rik Franchisee Jessica Harvey

Jessica Harvey, 27, is a perfect example of the well-rounded, young female entrepreneurs that the fab’rik franchise attracts. Not only has Harvey recently celebrated the opening of her second fab’rik boutique in North Carolina; she was named one of the Top 30 Under 30 Future Business Leaders of Charlotte by Elevate Magazine in 2013, was crowned Mrs. North Carolina in 2012, served as the national spokesperson for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, and currently sits on the board of a nonprofit called Young and Beautiful, which is geared toward empowering and educating young women.

Harvey grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and relocated to South Carolina for college. She received a track and field scholarship for Clemson University and was a heptathlete during her time there. After graduating with a major in marketing, Harvey traveled the east coast alongside her professional baseball playing husband, Kris Harvey. During this time she had various side jobs to keep busy; she was a personal trainer, a model, and was even part of the 2007 WWE Diva Search.

Once the Harvey’s decided to start a family they made permanent roots in Catawba, NC where Jessica started a career in Business Development.  They had their first daughter in 2010 and joined the fab’rik franchise the next year.  Their second daughter arrived just months before the opening of their second store. 

How did you first hear about fab’rik?

I went to the same high school as the owner of the fab’rik boutique in Savannah, Bree. Bree also went to college with the owner of the fab’rik in East Cobb, so I knew her as well.  The three of us got together at a mutual friend’s baby shower in early 2011 and I finally visited the store in person. I went and thought I would buy something to be polite and assumed it would be pricey, but I was blown away by how affordable everything was.

Why did you choose an opportunity with the brand?

My husband and I had been thinking about starting our own business, especially with baseball being a perishable career. We liked the idea of a franchise because it was a proven business model, and after learning that fab’rik was a franchise, in addition to the fact that I had two friends already in it, we decided to join the brand.

I also loved the idea that so many of the women who owned the stores were very successful women in their own careers. It was an elite group to be a part of, and there were many inspiring people I could learn from. Seeing that it was possible for me to be a store owner and still have my own career in a separate field was amazing.

What are your development plans and long term goals with fab’rik?

My original plan when I began franchising was to open three boutiques.

Are you involved with any charities or complete any community outreach?

As a family the organization we support is the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, because of my sister-in-law. I had the opportunity to serve as the spokesperson during my reign as Mrs. North Carolina. I currently sit on the board for Young and Beautiful, a local organization that supports confidence building in young girls.  I also serve on the first Franchise Advisory Council for fab’rik.

For more information or to learn about franchise opportunities to own a fab’rik, visit www.fabrikstyle.com/franchise.    

fab'rik in Panama City News Herald

The business profile in the Panama City News Herald talks about what fab’rik offers the community and why Kristen Cress, owner of fab'rik in Pier Park in Panama City Beach, Fla., loves the work that she does. 

Photo from: Andrew Wardlow | The News Herald

Business service provided: The mission of fab’rik is to “deliver high style with heart, no attitude or sticker shock,” and become the #1 high-end boutique without the high-end price in the country. fab’rik offers a wide variety of women’s clothing and accessories, with all items priced at $100 or less, except for the brand’s extensive designer denim collection. By carrying a limited quantity of each item, fab’rik celebrates its customers’ unique sense of style. Customers can receive personal attention and recommendations from the in-store stylists, or even shop fab’rik online.

Years in business: three months

How did you get into this business? I majored in fashion merchandising and took part in a fashion internship in New York before opening my own clothing store in Mississippi in 2006. After relocating to Atlanta for work, fab’rik became my go-to shopping destination. One day I saw a news feature about “Women of Atlanta” that focused on fab’rik’s founder and CEO, Dana Spinola, and after learning that fab’rik was a franchise, I made it my mission to open my favorite store in my dream location.

See the full article here. 

Free Fab’rik Offers Clothing and an Attitude Boost

By Shelia Poole - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The article, which includes a great photo in free fab’rik boutique, focuses on the mission behind the free fab’rik program. This article also looks at how fab'rik CEO and Founder Dana Spinola started the charity and her vision for the programs. Find out how one free fab'rik shopper, Tiffany Whitehead, utilizes free fab'rik to prepare for a job interview and help boost her spirits.

Photo from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dana Spinola, CEO and founder of Fab’rik and Free Fab’rik, and Free Fab’rik manager Rachel Large work in the community boutique in Midtown.

You can read the full article here.

5 Easy Looks for Summer

Easy, effortless, chic and feminine are the key words this season. And fab’rik has what you need to be on trend.

Our fab'rik Lake Norman Store Manager, Brittany Payne, shares five great day and night outfits that will have you looking and feeling your best this summer on Charlotte Today. 

Don't  let price stand in your way of having a stylish summer. As always, all fab'rik items are under $100 with the exception of our premium denim. 

Click here to watch now

This segment was featured on Charlotte Today on May 28, 2014. Watch now and see what to wear all summer long. 

5 Reasons To Attend free fab’rik Charity Fashion Event

Set your calendars, because the third annual free fab’rikCharity Fashion Event is coming up on June 5th at the AmericasMart and you do not want to miss out.

free fab’rik is a non-profit organization that’s mission is to restore dignity and hope to young ladies who have lost theirs. All of the proceeds from the charity fashion event go to helping young women in need with free shopping sprees, opening more free fab’rik stores, supporting the mentorship program and helping secure job placement after finishing the program.

Here are five reasons why you must buy your tickets today!

Reason #1: It’s a great cause to support.

The charity fashion event on June 5, 2014, is a night filled with fashion, philanthropy and fun! You will see great clothes, hear the stories behind the amazing and inspiring free fab’rik ladies, and see them walk the runway in the show. Their walk will celebrate the completion of the 6-month program.

Reason #2: Like we said, it’s a night of fashion.

One thing that brings the fab’rik community together is celebrating fantastic style, clothes and perhaps, having a few cocktails. Check out the latest looks from fab’rik’s Asher Collection on the runway. There will be a fab’rik lounge open to shop the looks you love that night. Additionally, a $25 donation will give you access to the Jewelry wall which features hundreds of statement necklaces to choose from.

Reason #3: A perfect excuse for a GNO (Girls Night Out).

The free fab’rik Charity Fashion Event is the perfect excuse to get dressed up at AmericasMart Atlanta and enjoy a night of fun. Not to mention, a perfect company team building night… Purchase the World Traveler package for $1000 and you will receive a VIP table for 10, a luxe gift bag and fab’rik discount cards and AmericasMart passes. Other ticket levels include the Jet Setter for $100 and the Road Tripper for a $50 ticket.

To purchase your tickets, please visit: http://www.fabrikstyle.com/charity/charity-fashion-show-tickets

Reason #4: You could win big!

And by big, we mean BIG.

Purchase a $100 raffle ticket and be entered for a chance to win a franchise fee ($35,000) on own a fab’rik boutique!  You don’t have to be present to win the raffle drawing.

Or, purchase a raffle ticket at the event for $20 and be entered to win a $2,000 shopping spree at fab’rik! Just imagine all of the clothing possibilities.  

Reason #5: Be the first to know about an exclusive fab’rik reveal.

During the free fab’rik Charity Fashion Event, we will be making an exciting fab’rik reveal. Be the first to know. Trust us, this is too good to miss out.  

Events!

We are busy bees today. We've got all kinds of good stuff going on! 

Atlantans: If you'd like to dine somewhere amazing and benefit free fab'rik at the same time: 

If you haven't tried Cucina Asellina before, you are missing out. Order the meatball appetizer!

Cucina Asellina is located at 1075 Peachtree Street​ at the corner of Peachtree and 12th. Garage parking is available and complimentary valet is provided by Cucina Asellina as well. For more information about Free Fab’rik, please visit freefabrik.org, or call (404) 881-8223. To view Cucina Asellina’s lunch and dinner menus or to make a reservation, please visit www.facebook.com/AsellinaATL or call (404) 793-0141.

All locations: If you need some help getting your wardrobe in gear for spring ... 

Tonight at our Closet Edit event, we'll be discussing what to keep and what to let go. Almost all fab'rik locations are participating, so call your local store if you'd still like to RSVP! (Most locations event's will be from 7-9.)

If you live in Atlanta and are a true fab'rik addict, I expect nothing less than to see you editing your closet tonight, followed by dinner and drinks at Cucina Asellina.  ;) And don't forget to tweet me pics from your night!  

See you tonight!! xo

PS - Happy First Day of Spring!!!