Meet Mary Beth Erps, Co-Owner of Clothes Mentor (omahane.clothesmentor.com) Omaha
Tell us a little about your business. – Clothes Mentor is a women’s resale boutique offering a range of sizes and styles for all women. We buy your gently used store brand and boutique brand to luxury designer clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc. and resell in our store and online.
How did you get started in the business?– My sister and I are co-owners. I was the merchant processing vendor for the franchise for seven years. There are 130 franchise locations around the country but none in Nebraska. We were both looking for more in our careers for ourselves and our families and believed it was fate that brought this franchise into our lives.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Being a first time business owner, it is a constant learning process. Just when we think we’ve got something figured out, its time to change gears again. It’s a love/hate relationship.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I’ve been lucky to have worked with smart business leaders in a wide range of companies. Choosing my path carefully over the past 20 years gave me the experience, knowledge and strength to jump into business ownership. I am grateful for every experience.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have a wonderful husband, Drew, who allows me the space to take risks. I was blessed with two bonus kids, one of them, my step-son Colton, is on our team at Clothes Mentor. My seven-year-old son Wyatt also loves to help at our store.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?– Starting a business changed everything. After working in corporate sales roles for 20 years, I took a year off to be a stay-at-home-parent and then jumped into business ownership. Its been quite the whirlwind.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I’m passionate about my business so days off are hard to come by but I love having family days as well as one-on-one days with my little, taking him to the zoo, museums and simply spending precious time with him.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I told Terry Bradshaw and his entourage where to find a cab stand in Vegas a few years ago. And I never take myself too seriously.
Who inspires you? – I am always in awe and inspired by other mom entrepreneurs who are doing it their way and putting in the hours both for their business and their family. It’s not for the faint of heart.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Exciting.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – The ability to time travel.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – A Museum Tour Guide at a local Historical Museum
What is your favorite movie? – Back to the Future, the entire trilogy.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – mberps@omahacm.com