We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyse Braddy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyse, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to start my own business because I have always had a deep, personal love for fashion. I saw a hole in the market when it comes to affordable and unique fashion tailored specifically to sorority girls. There are plenty of boutiques in Athens, but as a former sorority member, I always struggled to find dresses and clothing for the various events we had throughout the year. As a fashion merchandising major, I had the proper foundation, resources, and knowledge to start my own boutique. I worked diligently for a majority of my undergrad and saved every penny to finally chase my dreams and open “Leci’s.”

What should our readers know about your business?
Leci’s is unique for various reasons, starting with the pieces I carefully select to sell in my boutique. As a former sorority member, I always struggled to find the perfect dress or top to wear to a date night, parents weekend, or formals. One of my visions for Leci’s was to have a unique collection of pieces fit for these events. Getting to where I am now was not easy. Leci’s is continuously growing, and I have been able to learn and grow so much along the way. As a student during my undergrad at The University of Georgia, starting up and running a boutique seemed impossible. While that is not the case, it has required a significant amount of work. With the help of my friends and many hours of dedication, I can confidently say that no dream is too big.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The city of Athens is very lively and enjoyable. My favorite memories always take place during the fall. Football season is at its peak and the city is booming with energy. At the top of my itinerary would be brunch at Pauley’s in downtown Athens. This place is known for their delicious sweet and savory crepes as well as their unique martini options! Some other restaurants that I would recommend would be Taqueria Tsunami for their amazing Latin-Asian fusion mix, Trapeze Pub for their sandwiches and incomparable raspberry ketchup, and Mama’s Boy which is one of the best breakfast spots in town! For a relaxing day, I would take a stroll at Lake Herrick followed by pickleball at the intramural fields, tour the beautiful botanical gardens, and of course go on a tour of the University of Georgia’s astonishing campus. Athens also has a vibrant night life scene. One of my favorite places to partake in nighttime activities would be enjoying frozen espresso martinis at Emporium. While these are just a few of my favorite places to spend my time, Athens has so much to offer and so many niche spots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Although this answer is to be expected, my friends and family were my champions in this whole process. My parents and my sister, sam, were in my corner everyday, reminding me of why I pursued this dream any time I got defeated or felt discouraged in opening my own business. My father also played a pivotal role in making “Leci’s” a reality by financially supporting me any time I needed a little boost. Finally, my friends have helped me build this business from the ground up, and I owe a portion of my success to their tireless help and emotional support. Whether they were modeling the clothes, assisting in the set ups of my up pop-up events, and simply buying the merchandise, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

Website: https://lecisboutique.com

Instagram: @shoplecis

Image Credits
N/a

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