Today’s guest on the blog is the lovely, Aubrey Solum! She a highschooler, a performer and business owner! She owns the Etsy shop, Broadway Bowtique! Aubrey is one of the most sweet and kind souls on the planet! She is so inspiring and hardworking! I hope you enjoy my interview with Aubrey.
What is your name? How old are you? Where are you from? (If you are not comfortable saying you do not have to say where you are from!)
I’m Aubrey Solum, and I’m 16 years old! Born and raised in Florida!
Tell us a little bit more about Broadway Bowtique.
Broadway Bowtique specializes in entirely handmade, customized Broadway themed bows, headbands, shirts… pretty much anything you can think of. I absolutely love creating people’s visions.
What made you start Broadway Bowtique? What was the process like? How did you come up with the name for your shop?
Broadway Bowtique kind of happened by accident. I never really planned for it to become a thing, it just did. I threw myself up on Instagram and it grew quicker than I ever could have dreamed of. One of my friends suggested the name to me and it just stuck!
What is the design process like for you bows?
A lot of bows on my shop were actually ordered custom by customers, and I love them so much I decide to list them. You can truly learn so much based on what your customers are asking for!
How do you manage both performing, school, Broadway Bowtique, and everyday life?
I get asked this question a lot and it’s honestly something you just figure out as you go along. I squeeze in bow making time during any free second I get. I’m pretty much constantly working, but it’s beyond worth it. I work hard to be productive during my school day to eliminate having to do that work at home. There’s no secret method to it, it just works! I do love my Erin Condren planner to help keep my schedule organized though!
What’s your favorite part of owning Broadway Bowtique?
The people I get to meet. I have met so many sweet families and made some of the best friends through this business. I truly believe I will know some of these people for the rest of my life, and that is something I find so special about running a business.
What has it been like seeing the impact that Broadway Bowtique is having on people? Any stories you would like to share?
The impact is honestly the most surreal and mind-blowing thing to me. I don’t think I will ever fully comprehend it. There are so many stories, but one pretty neat one happened recently. One of my dance teachers down in FL went up to NY to see the musical Chasing Rainbows at the Papermill Playhouse. Two children who I have known for some time, Sophie Knapp and Molly Lyons, were in it. When my teacher came back, she told me how excited they were to be meeting someone who knew me. The fact that the business has grown so far to the point where it’s connecting other people is so incredible!
What is it like having brand reps from all around the country? What is it like meeting your brand reps?
My brand reps and their families are some of my favorite people ever! Without them, my business would not be where it is today. Meeting them is so fun. It always seems as though we’ve been friends for years, even when we are just meeting for the first time. They are so sweet, and I’m excited to continue to meet more of them!
Any advice you have for anyone wanting to start a business?
Just start! I truly never sat down and made a step by step plan for my business. The truth is, you can’t! Every person’s journey with running a business is so different. Never compare, keep putting yourself out there, network, and work hard! What is meant to come of your business will happen in it’s own time.
What do you see for the future of Broadway Bowtique?
I honestly don’t know where this business will go… I never even saw it going this far. My ultimate dream is to get Broadway Bowtique at the merch booths at Broadway/tour shows. We will just have to wait and see where it goes!
Who is a woman that you look up too in the theatre community and why?
There are SO many! I am constantly inspired by my peers, as well as the other Broadway business owners, especially my sweet friend Emily who owns Broadway Scrunchies! I also really look up to Becca Lee, an OBC member in The Prom. She is one of the many people I have had the pleasure of meeting through this business, and I really admire her positivity and motivation.
Thank you Aubrey for such and incredible interview! You are so sweet and amazing! Please go check out and support Aubrey’s shop. You can find her on instagram, @broadway.bowtique and on Etsy! I have bought a few bows from her myself and they are amazing! If you go check out her instagram and Etsy shop, tell her that Broadway Babes blog sent you!
Until next time,
Marisa
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