Episode Spotlight

Stephanie and Brooke clearly remember the day they decided to leave the corporate world and start up a business of their own.  As consumers they recognized an unmet need in the market that they knew they could fill.  So in 2004, they created their dream lifestyle and founded Mint Julep, a retail store specializing in women’s clothing and accessories.  One year later their annual revenues were about $700,000.  In 2006, they took the “leap” and expanded to a second location.

Take a journey with the Mint Julep ladies as they discuss the transition from Corporate America to Startup Heaven, and some practical tips for expanding a retail store to a second location. 

To learn more about Stephanie and Brooke’s key moves, tune your dial to StartupNation Radio and read Expanding a Retail Business Wisely.

Selected Q&A transcripts from callers to StartupNation Radio

Q&A - Pricing a service

Q&A - Product patenting questions

Q&A - Marketing a foreign language program

Q&A - Creating repeat customers

Q&A - Attracting sponsorship opportunities

About Brooke Garber and Stephanie Nist

Brooke Garber and Stephanie Nist, both 27, met on the school bus in junior high in rural Central Vermont.  As teenagers they dreamed of opening their own business and they remained close friends through college.  After graduating, both women initially worked in the corporate world.  However, they both found themselves fed up with the rat race, and decided in early 2004 to turn their dream a reality, and open their very own women's boutique.  In July of 2004, the first Mint Julep opened in Coolidge Corner in Brookline, MA.  One and a half years later the second Mint Julep opened in Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA.  Brooke and Stephanie hope that the success of Mint Julep will eventually lead to store locations outside of MA.