A new retail clothing store just opened in downtown Lake Oswego. What makes this store unique is that it was founded by a 15 year old freshman from Lake Oswego High School.
Janice Aebi-Magee is a young entrepreneur and founder of Aebi la Mode, LLC (http://www.aebilamode.com). She calls the store a "teen fashion boutique" and who could better know the needs of teens than a teen herself.
"It takes one to know one" comments Janice, who started working on her business plans while still 14 years old. "I wanted to start a business and I really love clothing and business, which is what drove me to want to start Aebi la Mode."
This is not a class project or hobby, this is a real business with a store front on the newly developed 500 block of 2nd Street. Opened on December 5th, the store features teen fashions at an affordable price.
"The style varies from retro-artsy to high fashion to every day comfort but I'm focusing on making the prices super affordable,"
"Basically, I am selecting products I would want to wear myself or that I think one of my friends would want to wear", She says. "Some of my friends have been wearing samples to school to see how other people like them."
Several items sold in the store are even designed and produced by local teens. Elise Wunderlich, also of Lake Oswego High School, creates hand made original jewelry for the store. Another student produced original paintings to sell in the store.
"I guess I've always wanted to start a business. Even when I was in kindergarten I would plan whole businesses that I would one day open. I've always been interested in marketing or something related to business as a career."
"I also want to use the business as a way to help other people," says Janice. "I have a clothing donation bin in the store to encourage people to donate clothing and not throw it away. Every time someone donates something, I give them a 5% discount in the store." She plans on distributing the old clothing to local charities.
Janice's parents, John and Beatrice Aebi-Magee, took a lot of convincing, but they finally decided to support her efforts. The family of three moved into one of the newly completed Stafford Commons town homes last year. They purchased a unit that includes commercial store front space, but at the time they purchased the unit they were not planning to use the store front as a business.
"When we realized how serious Janice was about this idea, it dawned on us that we live in the perfect house," commented Janice's dad. "We already have a retail space that was zoned just for this kind of use, and it will be a fantastic educational experience for her."
John has considerable business experience that Janice can draw upon. John owned Earth Care Paper, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin. The company was listed by Inc. Magazine as the 39th fastest growing private company in America.
When asked how she will have time to run a business and go to high school, Janice did not even hesitate to say "I will just find a way."
