B.Loved: Feel the Love
Mandy Phillips found her passion for fashion early in life ad at only twenty-three years old started her online clothing boutique, B.loved. Three years later she opened her brick and mortar store in the historic Galt-Grant building on the corner of East main and Marietta streets.
![B. Loved owner](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f57ec4021c7c39bdd813bc2752e01662 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9e41d5c91c5235a7273e3175ede03484 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e59257cf86c047e786224e36eeaacabe 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b90221542c792d1612feabd39deba82b 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ddcecfc760acbbe3efd1099dd0474435 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ce3a2d85b8c3cc9680b1ce018b583a10 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1061f1d5c7ce4a1a9f7f9c352ca00ff3 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=f5d6569ca3f874be414fb2867aca30d3 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=bba8922f49e3b1e0aedfb0d0e1594dec 3840w)
As a student fresh out of college she loved the thrill of building up loyal online customers whose orders were filled out of her parents’ basement. As her business took off, historic Canton provided the perfect backdrop for her appealing style of clothing, gifts, and accessories. Ten years into her business the Cherokee County native and Sequoyah High graduate is a true local success story.
How did you choose the name of your shop and what does it mean?
"I looked up the meaning of my name Mandy, and the definition was 'someone who must be loved.' That is what we want every customer to feel when they make a purchase from B.loved."
What inspired your love of fashion?
"I found my love for fashion in high school. It wasn’t until my sophomore and junior years of high school that I developed an interest in fashion, then completed my senior project on owning a boutique. I grew up playing sports and was always in athletic clothing. You couldn’t get me out of them! In high school I began finding my sense of style and have loved clothes and the fashion industry ever since. I then went on to college at American Intercontinental University where I earned a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in fashion marketing.”
![B. Loved Clothes](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=12d045ed73b6d7a778c60f2f4f73d709 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=75003257a5345ec4db92b0a007b25e3a 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f16ed50e6192a8007b2f848c7c10364c 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d2efa44b9c8f756dd7cef60881161b18 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=987d24b35f2e0e9abf82a074c750e2a3 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=951bed85cde31da26ec15d1e487d752a 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=0417d08881148fea12f1e4b58049ad73 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6fe95b7d2da272fe47a66998f0be10bd 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=6a82a63cf379a51e1e5d82b3cdbf5cb5 2700w)
What led you to open a clothing shop in downtown Canton?
"Once I started my degree, I had an interest in buying and one day owning my own retail shop. When I graduated we were in a recession and I worked part-time and had the idea to start an online business first. B.loved was first an online store at ShopBLoved.com and launched November 2010. A couple of years later I got a call about the space we are currently in, asking if I was interested and ready in opening up a storefront for B.loved. Construction began shortly after and we opened on one of Canton’s First Fridays — September 6, 2013.”
![B. Loved Storefront](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1da6d72be9ee1db9d1437fb2ff83b43e 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=39648ae92293c6f7b5229c42c673402f 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e5fcb0f7b4d3ebe10c72986705dbade1 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=536946da2f3906939bf40629ee866afc 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=963601f2d37dcd199850506f4d019e40 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=46dea3d73ce15f519c58d2e495f9a7f9 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=495fc41014bff8b163509734128c5e23 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-6.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=a8b0dde3def6edccda2e5cd2a513c64e 2100w)
What are some of your favorite fashion trends and styles?
“Fall and winter clothes are my favorite. I love to layer throughout fall and winter, mixing and matching it all. I have more boots than I do sandals in my closet. A few of my favorite things include a good hat, shackets, overalls, graphic tees, tie dye, and plaid. I like it all. This season I’m loving all the blazers and sneakers.”
What is the focus and the ways you help your customers?
“A comfortable, safe environment to shop and feel loved. Many customers call B.loved their happy place. We want our customers to feel good and loved by what they put on. We want B.loved to be more than just clothes and pretty things. We have a box of kids’ toys in the back where our kiddos run to, so moms can enjoy themselves while they shop. We also want B.loved to be the place to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with good quality. When I go to apparel shows, I look for items that are different and well-made.”
![B Loved in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-3_2024-02-02-214840_okwa.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.9%2024.57&q=80&w=320&s=8e0b31ca5f382251cb68d06b2c2e21f3 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-3_2024-02-02-214840_okwa.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.9%2024.57&q=80&w=540&s=9f5b0bce4ffc802a557e4394e7c6043f 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-3_2024-02-02-214840_okwa.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.9%2024.57&q=80&w=768&s=7b808844789e9a4011b80747b2e47bbe 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-3_2024-02-02-214840_okwa.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.9%2024.57&q=80&w=1024&s=e4f878e7f35a66abc8eacf979f4f3948 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-3_2024-02-02-214840_okwa.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.9%2024.57&q=80&w=1200&s=940882055993ca8f66b596b781417185 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/B.-Loved-3_2024-02-02-214840_okwa.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.9%2024.57&q=80&w=1440&s=a719574f93fd90e091c8fbd9fd1f5c1a 1395w)
What life experiences and lessons helped prepare you for owning your own business?
“Make sure your heart is in it. One thing I learned and advise to others, and I think contributed to my success, was starting small as a business. I started the website in 2010 selling out of my parents’ basement, and then opened up the retail shop in 2013 as my full-time job. Believe in yourself and don’t give up. Always be willing to keep growing and learning. Support and inspire other people in your industry and help each other.”
What is your philosophy about how fashion enriches life?
“It’s no question that what we wear is who we are because fashion is a way for us to express ourselves and even how we feel. I wanted B.loved to be a place for myself and others to create, love yourself, and be able to be yourself."
![B Loved in Downtown Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6a9bd0a50525ca936407a4b7625724e1 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0433c86ba3b9e19d3aa93507772c461a 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c99d784f068319669e7d9f7893eff93e 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=de973a2ee52cb9886c245a67485827f1 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=dae2643a08848ed42c0a2dbeed6eaf10 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ca1c100b057d2e394494aa1a3d98e34a 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=0c02ec43d6035d695bab95df8e358a1d 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/b-loved-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=85a2210dd0a7f9bb8d5e16bd0299686e 2400w)
What is most rewarding about what you do?
“Meeting and creating relationships with our customers and them leaving the store after finding something that makes them feel excited and good. I love seeing a customer come out of the fitting room feeling pretty and confident in what they have on.”
This was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.
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191 E Main Street Canton, GA 30114 (770) 704-7447