Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Samora.
Hi Margaret, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I own a size-inclusive boutique, Mountain Rose & Co. I was originally an elementary teacher but decided ultimately that staying home with my babies and being a boutique owner/body acceptance content creator was my calling.
I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I have been called fat (in a negative context) by friends, family, and strangers. When I was in college, an anonymous tweet went viral around my university. It was a meme about me. It said, “Is she pregnant? Or just really fat?” and it was retweeted by people I thought were my friends. I was devastated.
Then after having my babies, everyone, and I mean everyone told me, “Don’t worry! Your body will bounce back so quick!” As I am sitting there not even thinking anything was wrong with my body.
I have always wanted to own a boutique. Ever since I was little! However, my dream became more of a reality when I went into a local boutique, and before I could even shop, was told that my size was not offered.
I am a size XL-2XL depending on the brand. I was mortified. MORTIFIED. I am a hardcore cryer. I try hard not to cry but it inevitably comes no matter what. So I tried to hold in my tears and went back to my car and just let it out. That night, I told my husband what happened. I started crying even more (of course LOL) when I realized that I was probably not the only person told this at that boutique and probably a lot of boutiques everywhere. The mentality of being a certain size has been ingrained in us since forever.
I mean, we remember when there were news stories everywhere about Jessica Simpson wearing a black top, jeans, and leopard belt and EVERYONE saying she was overweight when in reality she was NOT.
Then it got me thinking more. I knew immediately that I wanted to open a boutique up for ALL sizes. XS-6X. I wanted women to find a safe space in my boutique to feel comfortable shopping for cute and trendy clothes.
Then it got me thinking more. I wanted to create an entire platform where I help women find a new acceptance and love for their body. There is absolutely nothing wrong with us. There is nothing wrong with our bodies. Society is wrong. And it’s time we change the way society thinks.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been the farthest thing from a smooth road! Haha, but so worth it. In the boutique world, there is a term we use. “Community over competition.” Most of us know the physical and mental toll that owning a boutique takes on us. Not everyone follows this belief, but thankfully most do.
Over the years, I have had other boutique owners try and bring my business down in order to further theirs. In some cases, they almost succeeded. It got to be so overwhelming that you truly question, “Is it worth it?”
Then on the other hand, I would say that 99% of my customers are not only amazing but I truly consider them to be all my friends. The fact that they support my dream and are so encouraging is what keeps me going.
However, we then do have that 1% LOL. I have had customers issue over $1K in chargebacks. Which is basically when a customer orders from a small (or large) business and then after it is delivered, they contact their bank and say it was fraud. Not everyone wins these cases. Which is the saddest part for small businesses because this does happen often.
Thankfully, I have won every chargeback case.
So even though it hasn’t always been the smoothest road, I would definitely say it is worth it. 1000000000000% worth it.
I have had customers tell me they finally wore something that they told themselves they would never wear until they lost weight. I have had customers tell me that their confidence has skyrocketed knowing that other women have similar body types as them and don’t view themselves as having something wrong with them. I have these beautiful women call me crying because they have never been able to shop somewhere that has their size and it be trendy and not the typical plus size clothes we see in department stores.
Seeing so many women across the country start to love themselves and gain the confidence that has always been in them is LIFE CHANGING. I absolutely love what I do and would never trade it for the world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mountain Rose & Co. offers every piece of clothing in sizes S-3XL and a special collection of dresses, jumpsuits, and hoodies in sizes S-6XL. We are a boutique completely committed to body positivity, body acceptance, and learning to love your body in a way that helps you feel confident and beautiful in the clothes you are wearing.
We love customer feedback and we love hearing styles that you hope to bring to the boutique! The beauty of MRC is that we cater to all ages. We do not have one age range that shops more than the other. The age ranges of women who shop with MRC are 16-78. I think that is SO amazing and something I am so proud of!!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My babies, my husband, my boutique, and reading make me the happiest. I love that I get to stay home with my babies and watch them grow. They each have different personalities that make them, them. I LOVE IT.
My husband is my best friend. He truly is the rock of our family. He is so supportive of every endeavor that I go on.
My boutique brings me happiness because all of my customers have turned into my closest friends. I love being able to help women learn to love themselves and helping them feel confident.
I am a HUGE book nerd. I always have been. When I get sad, the best medicine for me are books. I stay up incredibly too late reading books because I HAVE to finish them.
Contact Info:
- Email: mountainroseandco@gmail.com
- Website: www.mountainroseandco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mountain.rose.and.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainroseandco
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@margaretsamora
Image Credits
Margaret Samora, No Ship Drop Ship, Trendsi, Avenue Shops
