Christal’s Boutique selling bright, vibrant clothes, accessories | News

Her business started a few years ago when Hill began making and selling jewelry.

“A really good friend of mine, she showed me how to make jewelry,” Hill said. “I wanted to give a gift to my mom and grandmother and it was something she knew how to do and showed me. I went from there and started making jewelry. I had a couple open houses in Anderson and I would invite my friends and they really liked my pieces. It grew from there.”

Hill began adding different accessories to complement the jewelry – mostly handbags, which are now her most popular item. She was taking these items to different vendor events and selling them.

“From there, we moved into a flea market in Indianapolis, and we were still selling jewelry and handbags, but by then I started adding clothing and sandals and really started tailoring to what my customers wanted,” Hill said.

Hill, her husband and her children moved to Shelbyville in May 2021, and she opened the boutique June 11. She said her daughters love helping tag items and sometimes even run the register. Her youngest son thinks he’s the manager.

In fact, one of the goals Hill has for her business are to show her kids how to be successful.

“I want to be successful so I can help my kids to be successful and show them how to run a business,” she said. “When I say ‘successful,’ I mean showing young women and girls that they don’t always have to work a 9-5. They can reach their goals and dreams of being a business owner or doing something for themselves.

“I wanted to show my girls they could be successful by doing something for themselves,” she continued. “Success doesn’t always mean making a lot of money. It can mean seeing a smile on a customer’s face, or that interaction when you meet a new customer or person in general.”

Hill said business since she opened has been great.

“I knew that it would start off slow because with us opening, not a lot of people know here in Shelbyville know of Christal’s Boutique,” she said. “The Grand Opening was an eye-opener for me because a lot of people showed up. I was surprised. Ever since then, I’ve been getting people in regularly from different areas – from Greenfield, from St. Paul, from Waldron – from different parts around the area.”

Hill’s boutique has everything from jelly purses and handbags to clothes and shoes. She will be participating in the Hometown Market Aug. 6 at Occasions.

“It’s been really nice and everyone has been supportive,” Hill said. “I’m really excited to show everyone here in Shelbyville what we have.”