Michelle DiMarco founded an innovative fashion boutique and lifestyle destination in South Florida

I had no idea she wanted to be an entrepreneur.  After college, I struggled to find a career that I was madly passionate about.  I sought refuge in keeping up on the latest trends in fashion magazines.  Little did I know then that that would lead me to where I am today.

For nearly a decade Lilac And Lilies Boutique has thrived as an innovative fashion boutique and lifestyle destination in South Florida and now the local fashionable-fave can be shopped globally on www.lilacandlilies.com. Both online and in-store experiences offer unique shopping moments enhanced with personal styling, designer trunk shows and monthly special events designed to connect like-minded women. 

Do you have a fixed work routine? Is it important to have one? Any tips for our readers?

Being an entrepreneur is unpredictable. However, what I do pre-work is extremely important. I believe that you have to have a clear and healthy mind to perform 100%. So everyday I set my alarm at 5am. This allows me to get a workout in and prep some meals. I might even write down some “to do’s” for the day.

How do you generate new ideas to stay relevant on the market? Is it important to innovate in your space?

Retail is a very past paced industry. Like now it’s the beginning of Fall and I am already buying for Spring of next year! With that said, it’s imperative to keep my finger on the pulse of the market. I do that by attending monthly tradeshows and keeping up with current trends. Our customers want what’s new and exciting.

My industry is in a very over saturated market, being competitive is key.

How far are you willing to go to succeed?

Everyday I try my personal best and give it 110%. I won’t stop as quitting was never a option. I take risks, own my failures and try again.

What are some pros and cons of having (OR not having) entrepreneurial parents?

My parents owned a lawn mower retail shop and a repair service. I’d say that one thing that I paid close attention was people relations. At the end of the day, people want to do business with people they like.

What is your biggest dream? Why? Describe your biggest vision for your business.

My dream is to develop my website to the point that I have to rent out a warehouse to store inventory and ship out of it. I clearly see the conveyor belt running with our goods on it and shipping labels being attached to each box.