Meet Rosie Vann | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Rosie, how do you think about risk?
Funny enough I really don’t identify as being a risk taker because I love routine and stability. I do consider myself very entrepreneurial and I try to never miss an opportunity. That said when I reflect on my professional career I can see that I am indeed one that will jump in feet first when I believe in something or feel inspired and that can manifest itself in all sorts of ways really. In 2012, I made the decision to start my own business with a co-worker of mine. So I left my “cush” managerial position @ a popular corporate retailer in Southlake. We created a ladies mobile fashion boutique called, Couture in a Can. So not only did I risk my regular income, I also spent my savings to contribute to getting us up and going. In addition to changing directions professionally, I got a divorce during this same time. So hindsight, which we all know is 20/20, it was quite a lot of change and risk all @ once but honestly I was so busy hustling that I didn’t really take notice of that until years later. Since then I have found it easier to take the risks necessary to keep evolving professionally. I have heard it referred to more often as a serial entrepreneur, which I identify with quite a bit. Due to some life changes with my business partner and I, we decided to close Couture in a Can in 2019. And although ready for a shift, it was unknown as to what I was going to do next and transitions are difficult for the gal who loves structure. So the risk to stop/close something that was working felt severe, but nonetheless I took some time off to reassess and in 2020 felt the itch to get back @ fashion. So I started a T shirt line called “love, rosie.” Also I began a collaboration with Scout & Molly’s, a boutique in Southlake, as their Brand Ambassador. In March of 2020, just as I was getting some momentum with “love, rosie” t’s and about to host a trunk show to launch them @ Scout & Molly’s Southlake, Covid happened and threw us all into a tail spin. With that we decided that I would host a virtual trunk show @ the store instead. Well it went fantastic! And although talking to an iPad felt awkward it was great to feel the support of my ladies and we sold a lot of t’s. Upon realizing that Covid wasn’t going to be over in 2 weeks, we decided to continue with the virtual fashion shows @ Scout and Molly’s with fingers crossed that it would help to keep some business going during the shut down. And so “Wine Down Wednesday with Rosie” was born and we have doing them every Wednesday on Facebook live since for the past year. Our reach has since increased as well as we now have extended it to Instagram stories with a follow up we call “Try on Thursday” where myself or other local ladies show the fit or style of pieces highlighted on the Wednesday night “lives”. So the fear that I felt initially when we began this new way to interact with customers has now proven to be well worth the risk, as we have been able to not only survive the pandemic, but also increase our sales YTD. Covid also presented me with another opportunity in the way of a local franchise. My friend, and now business partner, and I bought a yard sign rental company called Card My Yard Keller. This business was in no way part of my wheelhouse, so I took a minute to pull the trigger, but it ended up being an incredible investment. As a single mom entrepreneur I am always looking for streams of income. As well as the fact that I also respected my friend’s instinct on this business, especially during Covid with people unable to celebrate occasions traditionally. So although some might think it risky to tap into savings to invest in an unfamiliar industry during a time when cash is king, I saw an opportunity. We since have been able to increase our numbers and are currently working on collaborating with local schools and businesses in addition to the obvious birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. The Card My Yard business model is very positive in that people, especially now, are so genuinely excited and grateful for the service. Therefore the risk has definitely been overshadowed with benefits. Another really rewarding way that a risk has created an opportunity for me was during a personal experience I had with a photo shoot. I am now collaborating with an incredible photographer named, Jo Duran, of Be Present Studios and helping other women to embrace risk in a sort of way. Upon having a private boudoir session with Jo I decided I wanted a really strong and feminine image of my girl tribe, which is vast. We created a group called “Birds of a Feather” and began planning the photo shoot both for myself to get my tribe photo, but also short mini boudoir sessions for ladies who wanted the opportunity to have their own photos taken @ the event. After a lot of organizing and planning we were able to capture the most incredible shots and it sparked a new adventure. We now co-host boudoir photo events for women called “The Goddess Experience.” We provide a comfortable and elegant environment, bubbles, snacks, hair/makeup, my styling service with wardrobing options, and then Jo shoots each individual gal for one hour. It’s a beautiful experience in that more often than not most women feel they are too self aware to do such a shoot, yet they always end up feeling very uplifted and excited to see their gallery. Currently I am about to embark on some unfamiliar territory and I am so excited! It is kind of merging in some ways. I am starting a men’s styling service. It is definitely in the infant stage, but I have big dreams for my next business. It is something I would have never thought I would do but it goes to show you “ never say never.” So although risky, I feel really confident in my vision and am ready to jump in once again feet first. I think risks are necessary for growth. Admittedly, I still struggle with taking them @ times and I’ve had some misses for sure. That said I think it incredibly important to push through fear because it is a dream killer, and can be crippling. I find myself often encouraging others who have risky aspirations in the way of starting a business to not allow themselves to lose focus or get caught up in what if’s. That said when people ask “what I do” I often refer to myself as a squirrel in traffic because of my entrepreneurial spirit. I now have the pleasure and discomfort of watching my oldest son take some risks in his own life in the way of his goals. I feel a lot of pride that he has the confidence to be a risk taker and possibly fail. I know for sure is he will come out the other side with a wisdom and experience as we all do when we decide to embrace the uncomfortable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from others primarily is customer experience. I believe that the most important thing in any service is to make sure people feel seen. I would like to think that anyone I interact with in any of my business ventures feels my attention to making sure they have a positive experience. I am most proud of my ability to maintain and grow a very loyal clientele. I also take a lot of pride in promoting other small businesses and connecting them with like minded people and resources to help build a strong network. I myself have gotten where I am professionally because of my own wonderful network. It is the foundation of everything I do. We all have our gifts and I do know mine, but I also know where I am lacking so I rely on my network to help educate and guide me where I fall short. Overall I feel like my professional journey has been somewhat easy. However doubt can come into play from time to time when embarking on something new and unfamiliar. So I would say my biggest challenge can be just getting out of my own way. I have learned that overthinking and fear can be paralyzing so the best way to execute is to deconstruct what you are trying to accomplish and go @ it one small step @ a time so not to get overwhelmed.


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Without a doubt I would take them to Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth. I am still enchanted every time I get to spend time on their gorgeous patio. Also on the list would be the Fort Worth Stockyards where my Grandfather use to run cattle back in the day. Next we would stop by and enjoy the John Wayne exhibit “An American Experience.” I recently visited it because my former business partner runs their retail shop. I was overwhelmed with all the artifacts, costumes, and stories of his life. For dinner we would head over to Eddie V’s because the food is always on point. I would introduce them to my favorite sea bass dish. After dinner we would head down to Sundance Square to go to Scat Jazz Lounge. It’s a cool little jazz club tucked underground where you find everything from music students from North Texas playing to bigger names. It always has a cool vibe and you feel instantly cooler as soon as you walk in the place. I would also show them around my local hood. We would start with brunch @ Mac’s on Main in Grapevine. My friend owns it and her Eggs Point St. George are incredible with delicious lump crab and hollandaise on toasted English muffin. Then we would cruise the little local shops of Grapevine, stoping along the way for some wine. Later that evening we would end up @ the new Hotel Vin, Autograph collection for cocktails on their rooftop terrace, have a few snacks @ Harvest Hall, their European style food hall, and end the evening listening to live music @ Third Rail. Before they left I would absolutely make sure they stopped in favorite little boutique, Scout and Molly’s to do a little shopping as well as enjoy drinks and a yummy meal @ Moxie’s in the Southlake Town Square. It’s on my weekly rotation of places to stop with my local gals because the ambiance is nice and I love their vegetarian power bowl with ahi tuna. So basically we would chew and drink our way through the visit with some shopping sprinkled in as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could never have accomplished anything without the support of my two sons. They have encouraged me and also been very patient and understanding when their mama is running in a million directions. Also I have the most amazing girl tribe, Some of which I collaborate with professionally and some of which I have had the honor of styling for 10+years. They have become like family to me honestly. They lift me up and give me incredible support in all my ventures.

Instagram: @rosierainbowvann

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosierainbow.vann

Image Credits
Be Present Studios