Central MA Up + Comer: Posh Boutique Owner Susan Shamoun

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Susan Shamoun in a special occasion dress from Posh (with her nephew)

Susan Shamoun is the Owner and Manager of Posh Boutique in Worcester. She is in the special occasion/bridal retail business. Shamoun advocates the lost art of personal and exceptional customer service for her clients.

SW: What led you to this career path?

SS: Since I was little I basically grew up in my mother’s alteration shop in Holden, Massachusetts. I was constantly involved with clothing and influenced by her distinct fashion sense and style. I also grew up with 3 fashionable older sisters, so working in the fashion industry seemed like second nature to me. I started working in retail when I was 16 and by the time I was 18, I was already an Assistant Sales Executive in the wholesale sector of the fashion industry in New York City, working with buyers of the biggest retailers across the country. From there I was determined to keep pushing myself to achieve the goals I had set out for myself. Some I have achieved but there are so many I am still working hard to meet.

SW: What do you feel stands you out from the competition?

SS: I have always loved shopping at boutiques that treated customers as if they have a relationship with the owner or sales associate. They know you by your first name or get excited to see you come back again, even if you haven’t shopped there in a year! It’s that feeling of knowing the owner/manager or associate just understands your taste and knows what you’re looking for.

I’m the buyer, owner and work with each client for a special reason. I personally want to be sure that my customer is always happy, not only their purchase but also the experience of shopping here. It’s very important to me that they don’t feel like it’s just a sale. I want to see my clients come in not only for their junior prom but also their senior prom and then again for their weddings! I love to share my store with their friends and families that they recommend as well!

For me, it is a pleasure working with each client and I have to say that I have the best time working with the ones that say they are “picky.” It’s a challenge for me and I usually find them the dress they fall in love with! Last but not least… our prices. You just can’t beat them!

SW: Who are your favorite dress designers?:

SS: Giambattista Valli and Naaem Khan. My jaw drops every time I watch their runway shows. Geniuses. That’s all I can say!

SW: What is on the drawing board for 2014?

SS: Custom made dresses are on the drawing board! I always hear my clients tell me they love the top of a dress but not the bottom or that they love a dress but not in that color. The list goes on. Eventually we find the perfect dress for them after trying on options and looking through my catalogues but I can’t wait to offer them the option of putting together the dress they envision, made to fit and most importantly, at an affordable price! That’s definitely on the drawing board for 2014.

SW: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?

SS: My father. 100% it’s my Dad. He’s been and will forever be the only person that can have such an effect on me. Whether it has to do with my career, personal or business matters or relationships, you name it. He was always so supportive of me and believed if I put my mind to something, no matter what it was, I could accomplish it.

SW: How do you spend your free time?

SS: I wish I remembered what free time was like again! Haha. I have to say I really don’t have much free time. I am either busy traveling in markets doing my seasonal buys, doing personal shopping for a client, working with my clients in the boutique, answering emails, working on social media, submitting orders, paying the bills and so on. I do it all so I really don’t have much time for myself. I try to make as much time for my family and friends as possible but I find it challenging to balance everything as I have so many career goals and ideas that I am working on at the moment. You can even ask my hairdresser. Just to fit in a haircut, we go back and forth with a minimum of 20 texts as I am always rescheduling just to fit in a simple cut! I wish there were more hours in the day! Especially Sunday’s!!!

SW: What is your favorite quote?

SS: “Work hard, trust your gut and believe anything is possible.” – Rachel Zoe

SW: What is a fact that few people know about you?

SS: If I could go back and choose another career path, I’d be an oncologist. That and the fact that I LOVE football! I am a huge Patriots fan!

SW: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

SS: It’s so hard to say. If you asked me this 10 years ago, I would have never thought I’d be doing what I do now. I actually wanted to be a lawyer at the time so I consider myself to be a very bad psychic! Haha.

GoLocalWorcester presents Central MA Up + Comers, a weekly profile of a member of the next generation as they are making their mark or charting new territory in the Central Ma workforce and community. Join us every Thursday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of the local digital generation.

Susan D. Wagner is president of Susan Wagner PR, a boutique public relations firm invested in meeting client's goals with integrity and creativity.

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