When self-proclaimed thrift store junkie Eryka Smith, 22, expanded her clothing shop on 3536 Walker Ave., she gave it a crazy, beautiful name and look.
Smith, a native Memphian, had no prior retail experience before opening Blues City Clothing on Dec. 1, 2004. The only business experience she had was selling clothes on eBay.
"I had two rooms of clothing at my parents' house and decided to open up a shop," she said.
Instead of attending school, Smith invested her money in the store. She noticed the area near The University of Memphis needed a place for college kids to shop.
Smith was renting two adjacent stores in the strip mall next to Garibaldi's Pizza and ran her retail business out of one room and used the other as a stock room. When the building's landlord informed her that someone was looking to rent the empty room, Smith decided to enlarge the clothing store.
Crazy Beautiful, formerly Blues City Clothing, held its grand opening Saturday. Over 100 people attended.
Smith said she decided to rename the store Crazy Beautiful because it was catchy and something people would remember. The "crazy" half of the store has more casual wear, while the "beautiful" side sells formal and dressy clothes.
"The theme is not how I want it just yet, but it's in the works," she said.
Twice a year Smith attends a convention in Las Vegas where she buys the clothing she sells. The majority of the clothes in Crazy Beautiful are new, but there is also a small vintage section.
Smith said she tries to buy specialty items malls don't carry.
Ashley Wadley, sophomore communications major, shops at Crazy Beautiful two to three times a week. She discovered it one day while she was eating at Garibaldi's.
"The best thing about her store is that you won't see anyone else wearing her clothes," she said. "They are one-of-a-kind."
Wadley couldn't decide if she liked the crazy side more than the beautiful one.
"Since it's all in one store now, you can find anything you want in there," she said.
Barry Gilmore, a retired associate professor of management, said there are three things a person must consider before going into business.
First, a person must have a high energy level. Second, a potential business owner must possess persistence.
"You have to have the drive to stay in there when things don't go well," he said.
Lastly, the entrepreneur needs a supporting spouse.
Gilmore suggested that if you want to go into business for yourself, you need to research your idea.
Eryka Smith wishes she had done that.
"I had no business plan, I just jumped into it," she said.
Smith recommends that people save money, plan and try to get loans before opening a business to prevent stress.
Sometimes it's hard for her to juggle work and a social life. In addition to owning Crazy Beautiful, she is a bartender at night.
"I have more responsibilities than some of my 30-year-old friends, but I'm gracious because you get to meet a lot of cool people," Smith said.
