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Elegance
With Style
Marcia Hopkins
by Barbara L. Roose
"After
graduating from college, Marcia went to work in Beverly
Hills and Hollywood’s fashion industry. A decade
later, Marcia moved back to Ohio, but not for long.
Desiring an East Coast fashion career, Marcia made
a stop in New Jersey before landing her next fashion
position with high-end clothier Bonwit Teller, in
New York City’s Trump Tower, during the 1980s.
During this iconic era, Ivana was still married to
“The Donald,” and mega-star Michael Jackson
had a suite in the same building where Marcia worked
each day.”
"Just
because this is Toledo doesn’t mean that people
don’t have money–offer the women something
fabulous and they will buy it.”
 Toledo
native Marcia Hopkins is living proof that there is
no place like home. As the owner of Elegance with
Style clothing boutique, Marcia has lived both on
the sunny West Coast and the trendy East Coast. It
was after Marcia’s return to the Glass City,
however, that she found success as an entrepreneur.
While attending Toledo’s St. Ursula High School,
Marcia realized she loved designing her own custom
school uniforms. However, Marcia decided to trade
away her customized uniforms for a chance to attend
the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
in California. By moving to California the summer
after her junior year of high school, Marcia was able
to satisfy the residency requirements necessary to
obtain state grants to pay for college.
After graduating from college, Marcia went to work
in Beverly Hills and Hollywood’s fashion industry.
A decade later, Marcia moved back to Ohio, but not
for long. Desiring an East Coast fashion career, Marcia
made a stop in New Jersey before landing her next
fashion position with high-end clothier Bonwit Teller,
in New York City’s Trump Tower, during the 1980s.
During this iconic era, Ivana was still married to
“The Donald,” and mega-star Michael Jackson
had a suite in the same building where Marcia worked
each day.
It was an exciting time, and Marcia loved meeting
different stars over the years and has many fond memories:
“…They would talk to you just like anyone
normal would talk to you. They were humble, and they
were nice and I really liked that.”
When Bonwit Teller went bankrupt, Marcia went to work
for another high-end designer and enjoyed the opportunity
to visit the different stores in her territory. It
was during that time when Marcia learned to transfer
goods around her territory and swing inventories into
the areas where they would sell the best.
Next, Marcia went back to New Jersey to work as a
manager at Macy’s. Later, after a promotion
to a higher volume store, Marcia had an opportunity
to work with plus-size clothing selections. She worked
hard to make the plus-size department profitable.
A visit from company sales executives affirmed Marcia’s
hard work, and one executive even remarked, “Oh
my goodness, Marcia can merchandise her way out of
a paper-bag.” That’s when Marcia realized
she had found her niche in merchandising plus-size
clothing.
After a decade on the East Coast, Marcia returned
to Toledo and went to work at Jacobson’s. During
Marcia’s interview, the store manager asked
Marcia about the plus-size department and what Marcia
would do differently in that area if she managed it.
“I told him that it looks like uniforms, like
expensive private school uniforms. It was boring.”
Although Marcia initially regretted her stark honesty,
the manager appreciated her comments and hired her
to turn the department around. Marcia worked with
the buyers to upgrade the store’s image and
sales. “Just because this is Toledo doesn’t
mean that people don’t have money–offer
the women something fabulous and they will buy it.”
After a stint with the Ashley Store, Marcia was ready
to take her career experience to the next level. After
27 years of retail experience, it was time for her
to open her own store. Starting out, Marcia took donations
from family members after trying unsuccessfully to
obtain a business loan. She also tried to get funding
through the city without success. “They didn’t
think my idea would work,” remembers Marcia.
Then she smiles, “But five years later, I’m
still here.”
In September 2003, Marcia opened Elegance with Style
at Cricket West, in the rear of the retail complex.
It wasn’t long before Marcia realized that her
store wasn’t in a high-traffic location and
moved her store to Central Avenue. After switching
suites at her current location, Marcia has settled
into a location that she feels best serves her customers.
Marcia shops all over the country in order to bring
unique selections back to Toledo. “What I try
to do is buy specific pieces that are best for certain
sizes. Then, if someone comes in, we can always special
order things for them. We try to do just single items
so that everyone can have something original.”
Still enthusiastic about her entrepreneurial experience,
Marcia enjoys the opportunity to style her clients
in her business. “I love owning my own business,
but when you own your business, it is always 24 hours
… your mind is always going. You are always
being motivated by something, and you are always trying
to find new ways to re-invent yourself.” ELEGANCE
WITH STYLE
2909 West Central Avenue Suite 2
Phone: 419-531-5720
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 Toledo
Business Review highlights the best
commodity that Toledo has to offer: the small business
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Our readership is growing... Advertising with Toledo
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