When Risk Turn into Fashion

 “The worst is not as bad as it seems” are words from the owner of Zou Zou boutiques.  I had the privilege of interviewing Wendy Ricchi at her Downtown Orlando location.  With a family of 3 children and a husband, her words of inspiration warmed my heart as she explained her journey in entrepreneurship, which has been her passion since she was 5 years old. 

In support of her passion for entrepreneurship, her grandparents allowed her to sell items from their store that seemed “unsellable”. Even at a young age, her mind sit was on running a business.  Can you imagine a cute blonde head 6-year-old girl owning her own store? What a sight to see, right?  Her creativity as a child expanded her desire to be involved in different roles such as merchandising and entrepreneurship. 

Although Mall of Millenia had not yet been established, she wanted to create a store that offers a great customer experience and new fashionable clothing; hence Zou Zou Boutiques was born. “There was a need for fashion at the time”, she mentioned.  Wendy shows us that faith is driven through action.  She further states, “In order for people to take you serious, you must take yourself serious…take risks, and start your business.”  The more you sit on the idea, the more you will give yourself the thought of giving up.  Many people allow their dreams to be hung on the shelf with the hopes that someone would notice.  Fear of rejection or fear of failure will keep you from taking risks.

She allows her competition and clients (clients are also known as her boss) to continue to motivate her in pushing the boundaries of taking more risks.  This is the reason why she opened a new location in 2009 in the area of Dr. Phillips and Bay Hill in Orlando.  Never allowing limitations and negatively to destroy her motivation, she continues with the success of owning 2 boutique businesses.   

Thorton Park Location 

To close the interview she shares a few fashion rules that she suggested:

1.     Update your look with angle boots with a dress during the fall season. 

2.     Be comfortable in your skin.

3.     Understand that confidence and style changes attitudes.  Dress like where you want to go in the future. 

With an enthusiastic and “down to earth” attitude, Wendy inspires others to pursue their dreams and go after what they believe in.  Fashion is all about taking risks and pushing the boundaries.  So why not believe in yourself by recreating and re-inventing something new.  Wendy is the example of taking risks and producing great results out of those risks.