Annette Bendish owns a Lillians Shoppe franchise in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and is savvy on all things related to design in the business world. When asked about design and how it relates to business she says, “Design and branding is key to success at Lillians Shoppe!” Which makes Annette and Lillans Shoppe perfect for our next business + design interview.

Check out our other interviews with smart and successful professionals in our quest to expose how important design is in the business world.

1. Please tell us a little bit about your business and what you do.

Lillians is an occasional shoppe open only four days each month. We feature ridiculously affordable and trendy handbags, jewelry, fashion, and fun accessories. Each month we offer new merchandise and a fun and unique shopping experience.

2. How important do you think design is to a business? What role does it play in your business?

Design is critical to a business, especially to Lillians. With 30+ locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, South Dakota, and Missouri it is essential that each shoppe is true to the Lillians brand. Each shoppe location is unique, but follows the same model developed by Lillians corporate leadership team.

3. How would you describe your brand’s style and what it communicates to your audience?

Lillians style is fun, trendy, and affordable. We listen to the women that walk into our doors and offer a shopping experience like no other. Our focus is on service to our customers and giving them a place where they can shop, have fun, laugh, cry, and walk out our door feeling better than when they walked in. Of course they will leave with some great new merchandise too!

4. What promotional items do you use online or offline that use the Lillian Shoppe look? What makes them great?

Punch cards, “High 5” coupons, Diva Nights™, glam girls, bells, cookies and coffee, Dean Martin music, and extraordinary customer service are all part of the Lillians Shoppe experience. These are the things that make shopping at Lillians distinctive and what makes women come back each month.

5. I see you have a great Facebook Page for your business, can you tell us how you utilize Facebook for your company?

Facebook is used by each of the shoppe owners to reach our customers, communicate about open dates and special events, offer great deals, and sneak peeks of our new merchandise.

6. Any sites you’ve seen lately for a business/company/entrepreneur that are just awesome?

It depends what I’m looking for –
http://www.swirlmarketing.com/blog/retaildetails/ has great display ideas
http://www.entrepreneur.com/women/

Plus I’m always searching for great fashion tips to pass on to my customers. The other shoppe owners’ Facebook pages are also great sources of inspiration.

Thank you for doing an interview with us Annette! It sounds like you have a lot of fun over at Lillians. If you’re in the Grand Forks area, head over to Lillians for fun and affordable clothing and accessories! If you’re not in Grand Forks, head on over to their main site and find a Lillians near you.