Modern Fashion: Lindsay Rando of Bobbles & Lace On The 5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Fashion Brand Today
An Interview With Candice Georgiadice
You need to have what I call “hutzpah.” It is a Yiddish word that means having the confidence or courage to do or say things that may seem shocking to others. We live in such a digital, tech age that is all about email and live chat. I find that picking up the phone and solving a problem the old fashion way is much more effective. Get right to the root of every challenge and as I mentioned before, find another door when one is locked.
Many in the fashion industry have been making huge pivots in their business models. Many have turned away from the fast fashion trend. Many have been focusing on fashion that also makes a social impact. Many have turned to sustainable and ethical sourcing. Many have turned to hi tech manufacturing. Many have turned to subscription models. What are the other trends that we will see in the fashion industry? What does it take to lead a successful fashion brand today?
In our series called, “5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Fashion Brand Today” we are talking to successful leaders of fashion brands who can talk about the Future of Fashion and the 5 things it takes to lead a successful fashion brand in our “new normal.”
As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lindsay Rando.
Lindsay Rando grew up on the counter of her grandmother’s consignment shop, the Treasure Chest, and was instilled at a young age with a love of fashion. After attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Lindsay moved across the country to Los Angeles, CA. There, she modeled for a time before deciding to tap into her eye for style by curating collections of items to sell, and ultimately finding her passion for providing women with high fashion that’s fun and affordable. Upon moving back to Massachusetts in 2008, she teamed up with her aunt, who already had a jewelry store, and together they created a new clothing and accessory store: Bobbles & Lace. Once her aunt retired, Lindsay kept her foot on the gas and continued expansion of the brand, building it to eight locations, and then franchising the brand in 2022. Lindsay loves the concept of thoughtful curation, and attributes the success of her brand to her natural gift for it, whether it comes to the products or the team who runs her stores. She lives in Marblehead, MA, with her musician husband and two sons.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?
I come from a family of fashion entrepreneurs. My grandmother had a consignment shop that I used to go to often. It wasn’t until after my college years when I moved across the country to Los Angeles, CA that I started following my passion for style and fashion.
Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path?
My entrepreneurial journey started when I was living in Los Angeles after college. I bought a cart and started selling jewelry on the sidewalks! Every day, I was selling out. I moved back to Massachusetts in 2008 where I teamed up with my aunt, who already had a jewelry store. We decided to create a new clothing and accessory store: Bobbles & Lace. My aunt has since retired but I’ve kept expanding the brand. We are now in 8 locations and I’ve just launched the Bobbles & Lace franchise to make it possible for other women to open their own turnkey boutique.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Wow….to condense this down to one story is near impossible. Every single day brings a new adventure to add to the B&L story. From filming the Real Housewives in our store, to catching weekly shoplifters, to a ceiling literally falling in. I could go on and on here!
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
When I was young, my mom anointed me with the nickname “the pitbull.” I had a head full of ideas and I would not let up until I found a way to make them happen. Especially being a woman in business, I have learned you cannot let a “no” stop you…you simply have to find another door. I also find that no one else cares more about your success than yourself. I was told that opening a high fashion store in Marblehead was going to be a mistake. It was too preppy and conservative of a town and they did not want affordable fashion if they could afford the designer stuff. But I forged ahead, using myself as my guidebook. I had no where to shop growing up and was certain that I was not alone. One week into our Marblehead opening, our racks were empty and I had to scramble to buy a new collection overnight. What a great problem to have! Everyone will have an opinion on what they think you should do with your business, but ultimately, that decision is up to you. So keep on looking for new doorways to enter, trust in yourself and keep on dreaming.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
With pieces for every season, Bobbles & Lace combines the everyday needs of a modern woman with stylish pieces that make a statement. Attention to detail is vital to our brand and our goal is to curate one-of-a-kind collections for every guest. Each store has a unique look and feel, and even inventory, while still clearly embodying the Bobbles & Lace brand and personality. Our company focuses on thoughtful curation and we treat every client like family. We make sure clients walk out of our store feeling like they were taken care of and empowered. We don’t just want to sell clothes, we create relationships and make sure our clients have a better understanding of their own personal style.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that was relevant to you in your life?
It was my grandmother who said to me, “find whatever it is that you love, and the money will follow.” I whole-heartedly believe in this. Passion is my driving force to succeed, it’s like natural gasoline. After 25 years of being in this business, I am still as in love with all things fashion as I was back then. I still get the goosies when I get my hands on the latest boot style or jacket arriving at our stores. It makes working such a joyful experience on a daily basis.
Can you share how your brand is helping to bring goodness to the world?
Since starting the business, my team and I have developed vendor and supplier relationships and have learned the business from the inside out. Now, we’re using our expertise to provide new entrepreneurs with the tools they need to open and manage their own Bobbles & Lace franchise. Franchises are not common in the fashion space so this is really a unique opportunity. New franchisees will be provided with everything they need to open a successful store, including operational strategies and ongoing training to help maintain new storefronts. With this franchise opportunity, I hope to build a community of entrepreneurs, provide other entrepreneurs with the tools they need to make their dreams of owning a store come true and make business-ownership accessible to more women in a time when women need flexibility and crave a chance to be a breadwinner in a fun and creative way.
Can you share with our readers about the ethical standards you use when you choose where to source materials?
My #1 ethical standard is price point and accessibility. I grew up with a love of fashion, and learned early on that looking great does not have to come at a high price. Fashion should be available to all and gives women the freedom to express themselves and dress in a way that makes you feel great. I have personally been a vegetarian for over 25 years, and I am thrilled to carry only vegan leathers. This concept fits within my mission to provide affordability as well. Although sustainability is a hot item and I personally hope to carry more sustainable lines, they currently do not fit within my pricing parameters….YET. I look forward to the future when sustainability is able to be priced for all.
Fast fashion has an advantage, that it is affordable for most people, but it also has the drawback that it does not last very long and is therefore not very sustainable. What are your thoughts about this? How does your company address this question?
If longevity is a top priority and you are hoping to purchase a classic piece that will last you years and years, high and fast fashion is not for you. The fashion world evolves season by season and even month to month. Many of our items such as our knits, jeans and jackets can absolutely stand the test of time! However, our new gold platform booties for example will most likely not be in style next year. So have fun with your $60 booties and next year get the next hottest pair.
Thank you for all that. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful Fashion Brand”. Please share a story or example for each.
1.Work hard. There are no shortcuts to success. It takes a lot of time, dedication and perseverance. As a business owner, you can never totally turn off. Even on a chill night at the movies, I am putting earrings onto B&L cards. Or checking the stats from each store for the day. The number 1 secret isn’t much of a secret. It’s simply HARD WORK.
2. Surround yourself with people who know more than you. I have an amazing team that helps to guide many of my big decisions. These people include my accountant, lawyer, and even my Father! Whenever I open a new location, I always include this group in the discussion. They have been with me for 15+ years and really understand my brand and also have expertise in areas that I do not.
3.You need to love fashion. I never mind the hard work, if it is in my area of expertise. I can not imagine dedicating myself and my time to something I didn’t believe in.
4. You need to have what I call “hutzpah.” It is a Yiddish word that means having the confidence or courage to do or say things that may seem shocking to others. We live in such a digital, tech age that is all about email and live chat. I find that picking up the phone and solving a problem the old fashion way is much more effective. Get right to the root of every challenge and as I mentioned before, find another door when one is locked.
5. The realization that I am not saving lives and that fashion is fun! Although I take my business very seriously, finding the fun and joy in it all is so important.
Every industry constantly evolves and seeks improvement. How do you think the fashion industry can improve itself? Can you give an example?
Inclusivity!!! On many many levels. From pricing to sizing to dresses for all ages. Fashion should be fun and available to ALL.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Fashion feels good. When you are dressed in a great new outfit that flatters your body and you feel comfortable in, you walk with your head a bit higher. There is a quote that says “I am nicer when I like my outfit.” This is not frivolous…this is confidence. I think it’s important for women to spend a few minutes on themselves in the morning to put together a look that expresses themselves and makes them feel great.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @bobblesandlace
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Modern Fashion: Lindsay Rando of Bobbles & Lace On The 5 Things You Need To Lead a Successful… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.