About Us
I feel like writing an "About Us" is sort of like all the worst parts of writing an online dating profile (if you know, you know. If you don't...you're lucky). There is a fine line between not saying enough & saying too much & the ultimate goal is to make people like you using 500 words or less. So we're going to give this a shot & hopefully I'm more successful with y'all then I ever was with online dating....
If we haven't met, I'm Jennifer Dutkowsky, a northern transplant that has lived in South Tampa for almost 15 years now. I'm a huge animal lover, I don't eat red meat or pork (bacon doesn't count, right?), I love stripes, arrest me red cars, and laughing uncontrollably until my stomach hurts.
I came up with the idea of starting Why Not Boutique in 2008 as I sat in a cubicle of a job I absolutely loathed and dreamed of ways to escape the depressing grey walls. The only problem was, I had never even worked retail growing up, let alone had any idea what was involved in opening and running a boutique. Thankfully there was the Google, super supportive lenders (aka Mom & Dad), and a network of other South Tampa small business owners that were willing to dole out advice whenever I called them in a panic asking what things like cancel dates, linesheets, and margins were.
After a few false starts (any of you remember the organic only years?? Good times) in....I don't even know anymore....2010? I moved Why Not into its current location in a 95 year old gorgeous South Tampa Bungalow and made a vow to myself that I would only carry relatively affordable fashions that made women feel & look their best. A lofty goal, but I truly believe that when you feel good, you do good...you smile at strangers, you hold doors open, you believe in rainbows and unicorns....
In 2009, we opened Why Tots Boutique right down the street that carries affordable children's clothing and accessories with the motto that kids should be kids and should be dressed accordingly.
In 2020, one week into a global pandemic, we launched our website. It's not perfect. It's not beautiful. It's not big box. But it's ours and it gets the job done.
So there you have it...the super abridged version of Why Not Boutique & Jennifer Dutkowsky. At the end of the day, I love this job. I love meeting y'all, hearing your stories, hearing how you wear the clothes, and turning customers into friends and family.
If we haven't met yet, I hope we will soon! Swing on in and say hello or drop me an email or message!
xoxo
Jennifer