4B
LIFE/^^e Charlotte
Thursday, March 23, 2006
featuring
Women in Retail”
Robyn Massey
Owner, “Avant Garde Styles”
By Fran Farrer-Nash
IHE CHARlJDTIE POST
Robyn Massey’s keen eye
for fashion began in elementary
school. To sooth the pains of
missing her dad during his mili
tary tour, Massey’s mom took
her on shopping excursions to
boutiques and shops in the
Raleigh area. She developed a
love for unique fashion, and
quickly learned to have no fear
of stepping out on the edge with
chic but unique clothing.
Having mentors like her mom
and aunts, who weren’t afraid to
tackle obstacles to get what they
wanted out of life, just helped to
fuel her ambitions. The stage
■ was set.
Disappointment in the shop
ping opportunities in Raleigh
and Charlotte prompted
Massey’s desire to go into retail.
Both cities had an abundance of
boutiques with moderate price
points, but they tended to gather
on a particular side of town.
Massey began returning to
Atlanta to avoid seeing herself
(outfit) in Chai'lotte, or Raleigh.
She missed having the option of
being the only one with a partic
ular clothing item or shoe with
out paying a fortune for it.
'Though working in corporate
America has its benefits, I
remember how happy my moth
er was mnning her own business
and having time to enjoy life,
and I wanted to be able to do the
same,” said Massey.
With she and Greg both hav-
‘ ing the desire to own ±eir own
business, Avant Garde opened
in 2004. Realizing that a lot of
people from the Univeisity area
were driving across town to
South Charlotte, they wanted to
offer an alternative for a good
shopping experience, and chose
Concord Mills. “True to out-
name, Avant Garde, we’ve not
followed normal store patterns
and have outfitted the store with
bookcases and comfortable
seating to generate a comfort
able shopping experience. Our
formula is providing unique
merchandise at moderate price
points,” says Massey.
The initial merchandise
selection criterion was to use
shoe brands featured in upscale
stores, such as Mezland,
Giorgio Brutini, Urbano, Sandro
Mascoloni, and, Robert Wayne
for me. They partner with DW
Designs to offer an alternative
location to accommodate needs
for tuxedo rentals, custom shirts
and suits. The same hold true
for ladies. You’ll find names
like BCB Girls, Charles by
Charles David Apepazza, J
Renee and Franco Sarto.
They’ve closed out brands such
as Nickels and Carlos due to
their availability in traditional
retail stores. The mission of
Avant Garde is to be unique and
chic. In addition, you’ll find one
of a kind jewelry, and hand
picked purses that make fashion
statements.
Mssey’s corporate America
experiences have been a source
of character development
reminding her of the constant
requirements to prove your wor
thiness to be a player in the
indusuy. Going through years
of testing strengthened her
resolve in dealing with the chal
lenges of small business owner
ship.
A native of Raleigh, Massey
was the only child born to
Gladys Smitra and the late
Albert Smith. She graduated
from Enloe High School,
received her Bachelor’s degree
in mathematics from UNC
Charlotte, and later earned an
MBA from Wake Forest
University. Shortly after gradu
ation Massey accepted a posi
tion with IBM which gave her
the opportunity to work in
Raleigh and Atlanta.
Massey returned to
Charlotte in 1988 after marrying
her college sweetheart, Gregory
Massey. Seeking a diverse back
ground. Robyn joined
Microsoft. Working in informa
tion technology and financial
positions was an experience that
afforded her the opportunity to
leam operations of a company
from human resources to pro
curement. This information has
proven to be valuable in setting
up a small business.
Massey was brought up in
an environment where God,
family and friends are most val
ued. She and Greg keep their
spiritual connection fulfilled
through attendance at
Friendship Missionary Baptist
Church. “Greg and my mother
continue to keep me going from
day to day despite challenges
I’ve experienced, Massey said.
Greg and I are blessed with
friends without whom we would
be lost. The store has been a
blessing that has provided an
opportunity to expand our circle
of friends, and we try to estab
lish a connection with each and
every individual that comes into
the store.”
Visit Robyn at 8605
Concord Mills Blvd, Concord,
NC 28027, caU 704-979-1070,
or email:
avantgardestyles@aol.com.
PHOTO/WADE NASH
Robyn Massey
Mecklenburg County
Women’s Commission
ftiiilBiilir f 1
Hal Marshall Services Center
Pnalr
700 North Tryon St.
Suite 206
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704)336-3210
FAX(704)336-4198
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