A pandemic was not on Ginette Steer's list of challenges when she opened her business Boutique It With Me in Mount Isa last year, but she has kept the business afloat for its first full year.
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Boutique It With Me will celebrate its first birthday this weekend after opening on July 5, 2019, but the milestone was almost a dream.
Ms Steer admits her business wouldn't have made it through the pandemic, if she didn't find another income during the pandemic.
"If I didn't take a new permanent job at the hospital, we would be done," she said.
"COVID-19 was extremely difficult. There was nobody shopping locally only online and there was nobody in the streets due to lockdown."
Ms Steer said the pandemic allowed her an opportunity to focus on the direction of the business.
"It was quiet opportunity to find the new suppliers that could be size inclusive for a whole range instead of getting something in a size 6-14 it now goes up to a size 22," she said.
"We have changed the style a little bit, including boho, casual dresses, knitwear and there will be very few formal and cocktail dresses until next year.
"The new direction is something that will stick. We will always have a dressy collection but it's not going to be how it was before.
"I've also had to reduce the days and hours that we are open. We were open six full days a week, but now we are open Wednesday to Friday noon - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 1pm."
Despite the challenges in the last three months, Ms Steer is proud to be celebrating the first birthday of Boutique It With Me this weekend.
"I am very excited for the business to be celebrating this milestone, but I am also gutted that three of those months we were closed due to COVID-19," she said.
"On Saturday evening, July 4, we will celebrate the anniversary with wine and platters and everyone is welcome.
"Everyday this week we are doing promotions and give aways so stay tuned on our Facebook page."
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