If a change is for the better, then Greek Australian business woman Anthea Solopotias is a shining example. Before she opened her fashion business Ganache Fashion Boutique, Anthea had never worked a day in the retail industry. But her clear love of fashion and clothing inspired her to take this massive leap of faith and after 12 years in law, she packed it all in to open up her business. Four years later, Ganache Boutique is servicing Melbourne fashionistas with the six Australian designers her boutique houses.
On the very first day of business, Anthea made a phone call that would ultimately change her path. She knew she wanted to house a Greek Australian designer and chose to call renowned designer Alex Perry.
“I just made a phone call and he was very personable,” Anthea tells Neos Kosmos of her first call to the designer. She immediately felt a connection with Alex Perry, one that would blossom for the duration of her fashion boutique.
In the first year of her business, it was Alex Perry who suggested she host VIP nights – an exclusive night held twice a year for her customers to meet and greet Alex and be presented with his latest designs and pieces. She says that Alex has been instrumental in the success of her business and confesses it has to do with his Greek background.
“We have a connection, he loves being Greek and so do I,” says Anthea.
The 37-year-old spent her formative years in the Hellenic Republic and looks to the fashions and styles of Greece for inspiration.
“[The Greeks] do colour so well,” says Anthea who looks to the country for inspiration in her summer range.
Starting up a business with no experience whatsoever was a daunting task, but she took up the challenge and has reaped the rewards. One challenge is the fact that the retail sector is online and with that, she decided to close the shop and put the whole collection online. Two months ago, she launched Ganache Boutique as an online business with a showroom in Port Melbourne for appointment only consultations. She’s had to retrain her skill set to understand online sales but also how to communicate with customers via her website. She comments that it’s like, “starting a whole new business all over again”.
The fashion industry comes with its own set of challenges, but down to earth Anthea has taken them all in her stride and decided to focus on what she loves about the industry. Because fashion changes season by season, it constantly keeps her on her toes and keeps her business fresh and interesting. Then there’s her customers who benefit from the one on one time they get with Anthea. She prefers to give them all her time through a personalised service. And last is the designers themselves. Anthea has chosen to focus on six Australian designers and give them all the attention they deserve. She only deals with designers direct – not through a PR person or a sales agent. That way she can sit with them and discuss their designs and chose what pieces would complement the boutique’s collection and her customer’s needs.
And now with the business being online, Anthea can focus on her love of design. A budding designer herself, Anthea launched her spring / summer collection last year and plans to continue with her own label. However, maintains that her priorities are with Ganache and her customers.
For more information visit www.ganacheboutique.com.au/