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.

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.

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.”

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 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.”

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.”

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."

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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