Embracing Faith and Fashion: The Courage to Open New Doors

Faith, Fashion, and the Courage to Open the Door

Being in business isn’t for the faint of heart. There are always tears when you’re trying to build something—especially when that something matters deeply to you. I remember a season where I was paying an additional $350 a month in rent, trying to hold everything together while crime in certain areas added another layer of stress. But looking back, I see that many of those tears came not just from hardship, but from growth. And growth isn’t always comfortable. I also have to be honest with myself: some of the growth I pushed for wasn’t necessarily where the Lord was leading me. God led me to Ridgeway. He did not lead me to Columbia, and He didn’t lead me to Blythewood. Opening those stores was my attempt to expand, to increase business in Ridgeway by thinking, Well, if we have more stores, maybe that will help. I had—and still have—many wonderful customers in Columbia, Camden, and Blythewood. But managing multiple locations was difficult.

For a while, I had five or six women working for me, and at the same time, I was still working at the Forest Acres Police Department to support everything. I was stretched thin.

When Columbia grew and USC put a student hub in that area, I realized something important: the students weren’t my clientele. I spent about a year and a half to two years there before closing that store. Blythewood was open around a year and a half as well before we closed those doors.

Still, that season wasn’t wasted.

The Women Who Made It All Worthwhile

What made everything meaningful was the incredible group of women I had the privilege of working with. Some of them have since passed away, and I hold them close in my heart.

Phyllis Gutierrez managed the store for me and went to market with me. She was honest, wise, and grounded. If I said, “Oh my goodness, I love this,” she’d say, “We can’t sell it.” I’d argue, and she’d stand firm. And most of the time, she was right.

One of my favorite stories is about the flamingo skirt by Gretchen Scott. I loved it. Phyllis told me, “We can’t sell that.” She was so sure that we passed on it. Later, it ended up becoming one of Gretchen Scott’s top-selling items that summer. After that, I trusted my instincts a little more—though Phyllis and I always found a compromise.

Alongside Phyllis, we had Luanne Coleman, Carla Pinckney, and Nancy Blair. Nancy was the baby of the group—only about 18 when she started working with us while attending USC. We created a mentoring environment for her, especially around fashion. She learned fabrics, clothing lines, buying, and ordering. Phyllis even wrote letters to her professors explaining just how advanced she was.

I’ll never forget the moment Phyllis and I sat down at market and let Nancy lead the buying for the first time. Usually, I’d stand there saying yes or no—but that time, we watched her step into her confidence. She excelled, earning straight A’s and gaining real-world experience.

Fashion, Fun, and Community

We hosted two to three fashion shows a year, drawing women from Charleston and beyond. Charlene Herring generously let us use her home—right on the front porch. Nothing was catered; everything was free. The goal wasn’t profit—it was fun. Afterward, the ladies would come to the store on Sunday and get first pick of everything. And when it was gone, it was gone.

That sense of fun mattered to me. I wanted women to feel joy, connection, and confidence. I knew if they had a great time, they’d support the store naturally.

Success Looks Different Than We Think

I remember Dr. Peterson—our doctor and a restaurant owner—telling me something I’ve never forgotten. He said, “Once you open a business, you’re already a success. Even if you close the next day, you did what most people never do. You opened the door.”

That changed my perspective forever.

I never felt like a failure—even when I closed stores—because I believed I was doing what the Lord asked of me. I’ve always felt blessed.

Giving back has been at the heart of everything. When I first opened, I gave away 124 hats to women to protect their skin, because melanoma is one of the most dangerous cancers. I worked with doctors like Dr. Lynn and providers in Columbia to educate women on skin care. You only get one layer of skin—so protect it.

Recognition, Awards, and Purpose

Over the years, Over the Top won multiple awards from Columbia Metropolitan Magazine—Best Boutique, Best Jewelry, Best Clothing—three years in a row in some categories. Those awards came from our customers voting. That meant everything to me because it reflected how we served our community.

That’s the real success.

Nancy Blair went on to do amazing things. Carla and her daughters walked in our fashion shows. Friendships were built. Confidence was restored. And women supported women.

A Dream Worth Doing

If you have a dream—whatever it is—do it. Even if you open today and close tomorrow, you did it. And that matters.

I’ve always told my three daughters: no one can stop your success except you. My daughter Christie once looked at me and said, “Mom, stop talking about it and just do it.” She was right. So I did.

After three or four years, I bought this building as a retirement gift to myself. Now we have Sous Chef next door, Kathy Goldbach Fine Artist upstairs, and Over the Top right here in Ridgeway—a little mini mall built on faith and perseverance.

I’ve had women tell me they opened their own businesses because they were inspired. One even emailed me from out of town to share her journey. Knowing I played even a small role—that’s everything.

I truly love working with women. We have to support each other in this crazy world. If we can’t rely on one another, then who can we depend on?

So thank you—for listening, for shopping, for believing. And if you’re ever in Ridgeway, stop by. I’m right here.

💛