Moose Jaw -
After opening her store eight months ago, Janelle Balaski has determined her clothing store Guys and Dawls, at B 23 Main St. N., has been a success.
Balaski, a former hairdresser, said although clothes have always been her passion, it took a small detour down the road of life to get her on the path to her dream.
After high school, Balaski said she decided it was more ideal, at the time, to push her love of clothes aside and take up a hair styling career.
However, after developing an allergy to many of the products used in a hair salon, she was forced to leave the profession and re-examine her dreams.
"When I left hairdressing I had to take a long hard look at all of the other passions I had and think about where I wanted to go next."
Balaski said it was then she decided to begin the long gruelling process of starting up her own business.
"Opening a clothing store has always been a dream of mine. I guess you could say I have always been a bit of a shopaholic."
To gain an understanding of what it would take and what she would need to do to get her ideas off paper and into reality, the 24-year-old said she did her homework.
"I studied and did a lot of research and I asked a lot of questions."
She also worked two jobs because it was important for her to be able to say she did it on her own and the business was solely hers.
"It really was a lot of work and I did have to give up some of the social aspects of my life to get here. But now that it is done and a success, I think it was all worth it."
Balaski said there is one big bonus to being her own boss. She said at this time she is her only employee and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"I think by being at the store seven days a week it gives me the opportunity to build a bond with my customers and I think people really appreciate that."
Balaski said great customer service is just one of the factors that has contributed to her success.
She also thinks the unique clothes and designers her store carries has gotten people's attention.
"When I was deciding on what the store should have, I wanted everything to be unique, new and fresh and people have told me that is one of the things they like about the store."
Although Guys and Dawls hasn't reached its one year mark, Balaski said she is confident her store will continue to see success in the future.
Lyndsay McCready can be reached at 691-1256.
