#WEW2019 Spotlight: Victoria Haughey

Rowan University is proud to participate in the global celebration of Women Entrepreneurship Week. Check out StartupTree for a list of all #WEW2019 events.

Meet Victoria Haughey, a Rowan Universtiy Alum who graduated in 2017 with a B.S. in Entrepreneurship.

Shortly after landing her first job after graduation, Haughey came to the realization that she was working towards someone else’s dream and losing touch of her own. So she left her job and opened her own business, Sweet On You Boutique, a trendy online women’s clothing store, in June 2019.

“Empowering women to feel confident not just in their style, but in their skin.” — Sweet On You Boutique’s Mission

What is Sweet On You Boutique?

Sweet On You Boutique is a trendy, online, women’s clothing store. And while we do provide unique clothing pieces that will help you feel good about your look, our ultimate goal is to help you feel good about your overall self, both inside and out. That’s our mission. To empower women to feel confident not just in their style, but in their skin.

“I decided to stop wishing for my dreams and start working for them. I realized that I am the only person who can make my dreams happen.”

What inspired you to open Sweet On You Boutique?

For the longest time, I wanted to open a business. Entrepreneurship is something I admire and, quite literally, dream about everyday. I love it so much that I decided to major in Entrepreneurship in college. However, in 2017, everything changed. I felt like I couldn’t be an entrepreneur because I “had to get a job” just like every other college graduate. I spent almost a year looking for a full-time job before I actually landed my first offer, but It wasn’t what I wanted to do. I left within two weeks and was back at square one. That’s when I decided to stop wishing for my dreams and start working for them. I realized that I am the only person who can make my dreams happen. So, I found a job that suited me better, and I set to work. Five months later, I opened my online store! Now, almost a year and a half later, I have my own online store, while also working a full-time job in the city, and I am the most confident me I have ever been.

What are your responsibilities as owner?

I am responsible for all of the moving parts of the business, along with my boyfriend who assists with the finances. I perform the following tasks for my business every week: I precisely select and shop for product items to be carried online, and establish prices of clothing goods while maintaining the website design, marketing materials, product photos, and email campaigns. Additionally, I manage and post regularly to Sweet On You Boutique’s social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and promote Search Engine Optimization, in order for Sweet On You Boutique to appear on search engines and increase conversions. I also create, develop, and test new marketing strategies to drive sales and increase conversions, including running Facebook ads and partnering with influencers to build brand awareness. On top of it all, I network and build relationships with others in the consumer-goods and fashion industry.

“I’m not afraid of uncertainty. I embrace it.”

Were there any challenges that you had to overcome when starting your business?

Of the challenges I’ve had to overcome, the biggest obstacle was getting in the right mindset to get started. When I was finishing up my last few semesters in college, I developed anxiety about life after school. Every day, I questioned whether or not I should have chosen a different major — other than Entrepreneurship — one that wasn’t so risky and uncertain. Would I find a job straight out of college, like my friends? Am I capable of running a business on my own? To be honest, I even questioned my own self-worth. Now I know who I am. I know what I want for my life. I’m not afraid of uncertainty. I embrace it. And, I want the same for others. This is what led me to start Sweet On You Boutique.

How did Rowan University’s Entrepreneurship program prepare you as a business owner?

Majoring in Entrepreneurship at Rowan University has helped me in so many ways. From filing legal paperwork to developing different marketing strategies, Rowan’s Entrepreneurship program has taught me the steps needed to start and grow a business. When I first got serious about opening my online boutique, I wrote a 20-page business plan for myself. As I was going through the steps of opening my store, I remembered everything I learned at Rowan. It really assured me that I was taking the necessary actions towards my dream business.

“Go after what you want in life, because no one else can do it for you.”

What is something you would tell current Entrepreneurship students who hope to one day own their own business?

The best advice I can give is to just start! Go after what you want in life, because no one else can/will do it for you. It won’t be handed to you in a brown, smiley box (although that would be nice). It won’t necessarily be easy. But I promise, it will be worth it. You just have to decide if it’s truly what you want. If so, then go for it! Don’t wish for your dreams; work for them.

Visit www.SweetOnYouBoutique.com for trendy and unique clothing pieces that inspire women to feel confident in themselves from inside and out. Haughey is offering an exclusive discount code for all Rowan students — use promo code ROWAN to save 10% on your order. Follow Sweet On You Boutique on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest at @sweetonyouboutique.