TisF Finds a Brilliant Boutique at Beta.
Long story, short: corporate good girl turns independent risk taker. While working not so long ago as a Business Strategist at Ann Taylor's Corporate headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, Janice Moskoff, the Beta Boutique founder, couldn't picture herself happily climbing the corporate ladder, rising through the ranks, even at a great company like Ann Taylor.
So, she took her first big risk. She quit her job, stuffed her favorite belongings in a backpack, and bought a round-the-world ticket, joining her husband on a sabbatical journey of international proportions. She didn't know what she would do when she returned, but figured that was part of the reason she'd left; she'd just figure it out along the way.
Once on the road she became more and more adventurous. So much so that roughly nine months into the trip while walking along a deserted beach in Mozambique, she realized that one risk leads to another - and decided to abandon the ladder to become an entrepreneur. Luckily upon moving back to Chicago, where she had lived four years earlier, she quickly identified a gap in the marketplace and an idea was born.
Drawing upon lifelong skills as a bargain shopper, professional skills as a retail strategist and previous knowledge of the Chicago marketplace, she struck out to create Beta Boutique and provide the city with much anticipated, highly regarded and not-to-be-missed sample sale merchandise. TisF recently caught up with Janice...
What is your idea of Fabulous?
JM: Fabulous is the head turning, traffic-stopping feeling of knowing your butt looks great in a pair of jeans.
Who is the most Fabulous person you know?
JM: My shoppers. They know what other women don't.
Which Fabulous word do you use most?
JM: Yes! I'm a very upbeat, positive person and I love telling my clients and staff, yes!
What is your greatest (most Fabulous) extravagance?
JM: Perfume from New Orleans. There is a special shop I go to twice a year in the French Quarter. And no, I won't tell you its name.
Where would you like or prefer to live your Fabulous life?
JM: The people around me make my life fabulous as long as they are with me anywhere is fabulous...have fabulous, will travel.
What do you consider your greatest (most Fabulous) achievement?
JM: Aside from my beautiful family, I feel I have brought incredible value to the Chicago fashion scene and love that I am growing right along with it.
What is your (Fabulous) motto?
JM: The world is full of presents. I'm always looking on the bright side and believe any good thing could happen at any time.