MARCH 28,2018
Continued
BERTIE LEDGER-ADVANCE
The fabric of Bertie County since 1832
Thomas
So Thomas did just that -
took a chance as she began
Kaley Jase Boutique online.
“I always wanted a busi
ness. 1 just didn’t know what
it would be,” Thomas said.
She started online with
two dresses for sale work
ing strictly from her home.
Everything she earned from
the sale of those dresses
went back into the fledgling
business to help it become
more stable.
And while she was work
ing, her reputation for hav
ing quality clothing at afford
able prices grew - as did her
online presence.
“When 1 was strictly online,
we would have events at my
house where people could
come in and see things for
themselves and shop,” she
recalled.
Shop they did... sometimes
with cars parked all over
their front lawn and down
the street as people waited
in line to get in to take a look
at the clothing she had avail
able for sale.
“It felt really good,’’ Thom
as smiled. “People would be
lined up down our sidewalk.
I couldn’t believe it.”
In 2014 Thomas stepped
out on faith and opened a
storefront on King Street in
Windsor as she continued to
develop her business plan
and increase the presence of
Kaley Jase.
Though she knew opening
a boutique in a small town
was a risk, Thomas said she
never considered putting
Kaley Jase Boutique any
where but Windsor.
“The town is small, so it
was a risk, but it has worked
out,” she said. “It’s the
only location 1 would have
picked.”
And while she has loved
her work as a business own
er and clothing guru, Thom
as said it had sometimes
been stressful.
“1 have totally winged it,”
she mused. “1 do a lot of on
line research and I’ve learned
by trial and error.
“Basically I’ve invested
back in the business and
hoped when we put more
options out there, people
would want it,” she contin
ued. “It’s been stressful, but
its been worth it.’
Thomas said she loves
interacting with customers
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
This scene has awaited Lorie Beth Thomas over-and-over as the boutique she dreamed about became reaiity.
both online and in the store.
She also enjoys being able
to be the kind of mother
she wants to be to Kaley,
who is now 5 years old.
“1 have the flexibility to do
things with Kaley, and 1 love
that,” she said.
While the storefront was
a risk, it fulfilled her lifetime
dream - and it has been a
huge success - drawing not
only people in the immedi
ate region, but those from
more than an hour away.
“We appreciate the support
we’ve received from Bertie
County and the surrounding
area, and we are also proud
to have people driving here
from a distance,” Thomas
said. “A lot of times they ask
where is a good place to eat
in town, and we are able to
steer them to a good local
restaurant based on what
they are hungry for. It is my
hope they not only spend
money at Kaley Jase, but in
other businesses in town
while they’re here.”
Every year there are four
big promotions at the store
- the Birthday Bash in April,
Midnight Madness in June,
No Tricks, Just Treats in Oc
tober and Small Business
Saturday in November.
Nearly every time Thom
as and her staff of five host
a sales event, there will be
people lined up down King
Street to get in.
“Every time we do an event
1 get nervous,” she said. “I’m
always thinking no one will
show up. When 1 get here an
hour and a half before the
store opens and there is al
ready a line, it is both excit
ing and a relief.
“1 believe our events are
successful because we try to
make them fun, and not just
an opportunity to shop,”
Thomas continued. “1 think
people enjoy the whole at
mosphere.”
Kaley Jase Boutique has
grown from two dresses to a
collection of clothing which
fills the store and runs over,
as well as jewelry, shoes and
other accessories. She also
stocks soaps and grooming
supplies by Lauren Castel-
loe.
And KJB has been success
ful in more than just sales.
Last year, it was named one
of the Top 5 Boutiques in
the country and the best in
North Carolina. It was also
recognized as the top online
boutique in the state.
“We were recognized with
some of the huge boutiques
across the country,” Thomas
said. “It was an honor, espe
cially since it wasn’t some
thing we sought out. Our
customers went online and
voted and 1 am thankful for
them.”
Kaley Jase - which is
named after her two chil
dren - is open from 11 a.m.
until 5 p.m. Tuesday through
Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on Saturday. In addition to
naming the store after her
daughter, the Thomas’ chose
Jase, which they knew would
be the name of their second
child - who is scheduled to
arrive in the near future.
Reflecting on her dream-
become-reality, Thomas said
thee was no way it could
have happened without the
support of her family - nor
without the support of God.
“If it wasn’t for God, we
wouldn’t be here,” she said.
“1 100 percent know that. 1
truly believe God is the only
reason we succeeded.”
She also credited her par
ents - George and Evelyn
Copeland - for their hard
work helping her in the busi
ness, and she expressed her
appreciation to her husband
for his support and assis
tance.
Currently Thomas is host
ing a nightly sale on Face-
book(facebook.com/groups/
KaleyJaseVlP). It can also be
reached from the website
kaleyjase.com.
Thomas also plans to
launch a Kaley Jase App lat
er this year.
The business has become
one of the area’s leading
clothing boutiques, and
has grown far beyond what
Thomas would have expect
ed. But, it can also be traced
back to the dreams of a child,
determination and support
from God and family.
Thadd White can be reached
via email at twhite@ncweek-
lies.com.
KALEY JASE
BOUTIQUE
121 King St.
Windsor, NC 27983
252-325-5458
kaleyjase.com
CAROLINA PINE
& HARDWOOD
PO Box 607
Windsor, NC 27983
252-794-2780
carolinahardwood.com
INFLUENTIAL
WOMEN
THROUGHOUT
AMERICAN
HISTORY
HISTORY
^MONTH
TOWN OF
WINDSOR
I’O Onx 508
Windsor. NC 27983
lowiuTlwindsor.com
GARREH-SYKES
FUNERAL HOME
Ahoskio. NC
252-332-3122
garrettsykes1s@gmail.com
PIHMAN’S
PHARMACY
305 W. Granville St.
Windsor, NC 27983
252-794-3431
pittmansrx.com
QUICK TRIGGER
BREWING COMPANY
Brenda Velazquez, Owner
118 W. Main St.
Ahoskie, NC 27910
252-332-6844
Throughout Americah history
women have made significant
contributions in all walks of life.
The following women are among
those whose achievements
warrant merit and appreciation
from men and women alike.
Louisa May Alcott
Be.vt kmwst tW I tuK' WtMiven,
ihatt works iHisstns: W tlw
fclauvch ytriwftis ol 55 tn A»
ftv wrmKn’s th©
risht 10 Ak'ou \vk»s thv' Ktrsi
m C'otvorvL
FJi/abetb Blackwell
gifts who to N* vHh'Kvs a
toi y' t’ihiaKih UkK-kwcU. wl«» wjts the ftr\\
■fooyaK'w ttn* CoutHi States After
repeat'll ftotu nwtUcal
ot her svs, ftlyiskvbetl
everttualty imp New Yo*k':'(*etye\a
hcttvtujj (HviiKhev prtrtcs^orN
aod telk>w sunients ^Hke v Iw teft wwttwa
iW IHX Moog sULKb-Wg HKjK'lfte
Pearl S. Buck
.•VvimV vvimnHg virUerPettrl S. fiuck'Aoa
Mh a IHiUt/er IVtze and the Nolx*l Prize for
Uieraturv', bcewiwng tl»e fuM AmeHean
wonwu to wih thm prestigtotts award. Buck
was also a iH»ted hMmaoiwrian wlmse works
lielpixl shixl light ou a host I'd' tt^ics,
inelmting intinlgration. lak^ion. missttviaiy
wrvk. and wotjH'h’s rights.
(Jrace Hopper
Uraee Uoivjxr was y punwer in the tkid of
vH.»tnpi»tev prv'gramming and a welh
respec ted, mx to mcntu»n. high-ranking
Naval olticer. I'he tsSSl Hopper, a guitfcd
missile de.vttuyer ''htp in the U.S, Naval
Deei. is iwned after the wottum whose
nickname was “’Anvwing Uraee."
Helen Keller
tx*spvie a childhoiod di^easc that left her
deaf, mute and hUmi. Hef«t Keller became a
natuetady rwogni/ed atfv^ate for |>ei>ple
with drsahthttes m wWiluHt to an e.v,pcHt
aiitlutf and lecturer An aulcni antowar
activist. Keller. wIh> pussetl away in
aKi eatnpcdgtted fw wvwen’s suffrage ami
workers’ rights.
Sandra Day O’Connor
The fast female jtistiee of the U.S. Supreme
Court. Sandra Day O’Connor swerved as an
Associate Ju.stice fw n qumter ceniuiv until
her retirement in 2(XK>. A breast cancer
survivtur, O’Conimr was awarded the U.S.
f*re.sidential MetUtl of I'rcwlom by President
Barack fHuuna in the siunmcr of 2009,
Dr. Sally Ride
Dr, Sally Ride wa.s the ftr.st American
woman, and thon-youngest American, to.
ertter space. A tos Angeles native. Dr.
Ride is currently the President and CEO
of Sally Ride Science, a cmnpuny
devoted to creating entertaining science '
programs and publications' for upper
clomeninry and middle school students,
TF113XXX
LimE GOLDEN
SKILLET
103 W. Granville St.
Windsor. NC 27983
252-794-3466
VIDANT BERTIE
HOSPITAL
1403 S, King St.
Windsor, NC 27983
252-794-6600
vidanthealth.com/bertie
WINDSOR CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
t21 1 Gtanvillo Si.
Wind,so(, NC 27983
'..'52-/94 4277
wintlsoi bi'rtieohamber.com
AULANDER MEDICAL
PRACTICE, PA
114 Hollowell Rd.
Aulander, NC 27805
252-345-3791
WILDER'S FUNERAL
HOME
816 Commerce St.
Aulander, NC 27805
252-345-
COPELAND’STIRE&
WHEEL
306 W. Granville St.
Windsor, NC 27983
252-794-5259