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Growth, empowerment led to Overshiner's IEDC recognition
It’s plain to see that Britt’s Blooming Boutique has blossomed since its founding more than three years ago.
After nearly two years running the business from her home, Brittany Overshiner moved her boutique clothing business to a small storefront on West Franklin Street in Greencastle in 2022.
Within months, the needs of the business had outgrown the approximately 400 square feet of that location and moved into the 1,500-square-foot location the business now occupies at 21 S. Indiana St.
In recognition of the growth of the business, Overshiner is one of 100 Indiana entrepreneurs honored in the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) “Entrepreneurship Indiana Yearbook.”
Having been nominated by West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center Business Adviser Dave Bittner and others, Overshiner called the whole experience “pretty mind blowing.”
Overshiner is one of 21 Hoosier entrepreneurs honored in the “Growth” section of the yearbook, which was published Nov. 13. Others throughout the state were honored in the “Idea,” “Early” and “Established” categories.
“That really focuses on how we’ve grown,” Overshiner said. “I forget sometimes to look around at how far I’ve come.”
That obviously includes outgrowing her home-based shop where she found “no work-life separation” as well as that first tiny storefront, but Overshiner believes there’s more to it.
“I think the growth part of it is not just the space,” Overshiner told the Banner Graphic. “We’ve done new things.”
Such new things have included having a booth at Mansfield during the Covered Bridge Festival as well as expanding the number of vendors offered in the shop, growing from two to nine.
“We’ve been able to incorporate more vendors,” Overshiner said. “I have cards of my vendors, and customers can put a face with a brand.”
With a focus on shining a light on others, Overshiner is also trying to focus outwardly, knowing that a thriving community of vendors and retails only benefits commerce in Greencastle and Putnam County.
“The really cool thing is that there have been others (honored by IEDC),” Overshiner said. “Last year, J.D. Grove (of Conspire Contemporary Craft and Granola Girl Skincare) was in the yearbook, and I know there have been others in the area.
“I’m hoping it brings awareness that we have some cool stuff,” she added “Someone was in there last year, and someone is in there this year.”
A testament to Overshiner’s community-minded approach, she has been active with the Putnam County Chamber and has expanded that to Main Street Greencastle.
“I think I’ve had a ton of business growth, but I’ve had personal growth,” Overshiner said. “Community growth is an important aspect for me.”
This even expands to other downtown boutiques that some might consider competitors. Overshiner thinks they have different approaches and strengths and can therefore coexist.
Get her talking about what comes next and Overshiner gets especially exciting, noting that she and her brother will be founding a non-profit that will partner with Recovery Raw.
“Right now, it’s import to dig into community roots,” she said. “I am super excited, especially for the non-profit because that’s been something God has laid on my heart, and to be able to do it with my brother. I think the next couple of years are going to be exciting. God can move in ways people can never understand.”
Overshiner was also excited to recently announce the addition of “Britt’s Buddies,” which will debut in the store on Saturday, Jan. 14. The new service will offer two sizes of customized stuffed animals that can be stuffed right in store with a mobile Stuff a Plush machine.
Besides giving kids something to do while their moms are shopping at Britt’s, the mobility of the machine gives other options, such as rolling it out front during Second Saturday events as well as being available for parties and to do events at other businesses.
While the latter use may seem counterintuitive, Overshiner again emphasized that it is “to keep business here.”
“I think the closest place you can do something like this in Greenwood or Castleton,” she said.
At these locations, the vendor would be Build-a-Bear, a company whose plushes run at least $20 more than those offered at Britt’s.
She also emphasized that many of the animals are made from recycled material and can also be recycled. Overshiner would also like to make a difference in the community with the machine, perhaps through fundraisers, donations to Giving Tree or to local police departments for kids who’ve been involved in wrecks or fires.
“I want to be able to do some things like that,” Overshiner said.
Another upcoming event is the bag sale on Feb. 25 in which customers can purchase a bag and fill it for a flat price.
Most important for Overshiner is taking care of people.
“Our business grew a lot because they like the one-on-one contact,” she said. “Coming in here, our No. 1 goal is customer service. Ninety-nine percent of women don’t really enjoy shopping. It’s important to me to make coming in here as comfortable a shopping experience as possible. When you leave, I hope your shoulders sit back a little more, your head a little higher.”
The IEDC listing recognizes this in that it notes, “Brittany Overshiner creates and empowering shopping experience.”
Overshiner has said before that she’s been at a number of different places in the range of sizes, so she strives to offer clothes ranging in size from small to 3X. The customers have taken notice, even when they aren’t there to buy.
“We have customers that come in just to talk,” Overshiner said. “My heart is more set on making sure you feel great and amazing in the body you’re in.
“You’re loved. You’re complete.”