- Story by Tess Van Straaten Photographs by Don Denton

Fashionista and entrepreneur Barbara Hubbard canB次元官网网址檛 believe sheB次元官网网址檚 been in business for more than three decades.

B次元官网网址淚t actually feels quite wonderful and I donB次元官网网址檛 know where the time has gone,B次元官网网址� says the owner of Baden-Baden Boutique and BarbaraB次元官网网址檚 Boutique. B次元官网网址淚t certainly doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel like 35 years, but I went in with a very positive attitude that this will be it, IB次元官网网址檓 loving it and I will have this cute little boutique B次元官网网址� and the cute little boutique really grew!B次元官网网址�

After raising two daughters and managing her former husbandB次元官网网址檚 law firm for a decade, Barbara found herself out of work when he was appointed a judge. She says it was a pivotal moment in her life.

B次元官网网址淚 had to really think about what I wanted to do,B次元官网网址� Barbara explains. B次元官网网址淚 took a variety of courses. I did a securities course because I thought maybe I wanted to be a financial broker, but I realized it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for me because I couldnB次元官网网址檛 see myself selling something that I canB次元官网网址檛 completely know or touch or see.B次元官网网址�

With a passion for fashion, good connections to the German fashion scene and encouragement from friends overseas, Barbara decided to open her first store in 1984 B次元官网网址� Baden-Baden Boutique on Fort Street B次元官网网址� and she hasnB次元官网网址檛 looked back.

B次元官网网址淚 jumped into the clothing business with no real experience in it and I learned fast,B次元官网网址� the 76-year-old says. B次元官网网址淲e all need to dress, we canB次元官网网址檛 run away from it, so we might as well have fun and do it well.B次元官网网址�

After success in downtown Victoria, Barbara decided to expand the business and she opened a store on VancouverB次元官网网址檚 South Granville Street with two partners. But she says it was probably her biggest mistake.

B次元官网网址淚t was a holy nightmare and it was just asking for chaos,B次元官网网址� Barbara says of the partnership with a man in Europe and another in Canada. B次元官网网址淥ne piece of advice would be to do what you have in mind by yourself so youB次元官网网址檙e not dependent on somebody else.B次元官网网址�

The store closed after a couple of years and it was a tough lesson, but Barbara says she still has customers coming over from Vancouver to shop because of that store.

Learning from the setback, the next expansion was to Sidney, where Barbara opened a second Baden-Baden outlet and then purchased property on Beacon Avenue for the store.

B次元官网网址淚 was the first one in the fashion industry to come to Sidney and itB次元官网网址檚 astonishing how many people have followed me,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite a fashion promenade now.B次元官网网址�

The expansion continued with BarbaraB次元官网网址檚 Boutique and a shoe store, but the retail dynamo had to make some tough decisions a few years ago. She closed the shoe store to focus on clothing, and she also decided to shut her downtown store in order to focus on the Sidney locations.

B次元官网网址淚 decided I really wanted to make my life smaller,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 had the clothing store on Fort Street for 27 years and it was very hard to close it after so many years, but IB次元官网网址檓 grateful I did because IB次元官网网址檓 so happy to be out of downtown.B次元官网网址�

Barbara says parking was a major issue downtown and a deterrent for many customers. She admits not everyone is happy about making the trek to Sidney, but she says parking is easy and itB次元官网网址檚 becoming a popular destination for afternoon or all-day outings.

B次元官网网址淚 say, bring out your survival gear and come out to Sidney and have a nice lunch and do your shopping on Beacon Avenue.B次元官网网址�

Barbara says sheB次元官网网址檚 learned a lot about customer service over the years and how to keep staff happy. Many have been with her a long time and she believes theyB次元官网网址檙e a big part of her long-term success.

B次元官网网址淲ithout a happy group of employees we would not have lasted as long,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚t takes a whole group of people to do it, and my best advice is donB次元官网网址檛 make the business completely dependent on you because youB次元官网网址檒l get burnt out and wonB次元官网网址檛 be able to operate long.B次元官网网址�

Aside from closing stores, Barbara says, she hasnB次元官网网址檛 really faced any major challenges. But when it comes to tough decisions, she has another piece of good advice.

B次元官网网址淢y theory is I donB次元官网网址檛 make decisions today,B次元官网网址� Barbara explains.

B次元官网网址淚 always make sure I have a night to think about it before I do it and usually the next day the decision is much easier and the problem isnB次元官网网址檛 as big.B次元官网网址�

Barbara still travels to Europe twice a year to visit showrooms and select items from the various collections for her stores. ItB次元官网网址檚 a creative part of the job she loves, but it also comes with its challenges.

B次元官网网址淭he big challenge is always to choose the right merchandise for the people that youB次元官网网址檙e serving B次元官网网址� that is the forever lasting challenge,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲hen IB次元官网网址檓 over in Europe and I see all these wonderful collections, I have to think, whatB次元官网网址檚 right for Sidney? WhatB次元官网网址檚 right for the island? WhatB次元官网网址檚 right for the west coast? And that is always a challenge.B次元官网网址�

But itB次元官网网址檚 a challenge this septuagenarian doesnB次元官网网址檛 plan to relinquish anytime soon.

B次元官网网址淚 intend to carry on for quite a while still,B次元官网网址� Barbara laughs. B次元官网网址淚 have no retirement plans because I love it. Why would I give it up?B次元官网网址�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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