The Beading Boutique

It’s one of those stores you never want to leave.  While you browse the aisles, you hear customers wooing over the products and saying, “I didn’t know you had that,” and “Order me a couple of those.” With the store’s vast selection of products and services, it’s also not uncommon to hear customers asking “What is it?” or “How do you do that?”  The store, named the Beading Boutique, is simply an oasis for crafters and jewelry makers. The Beading Boutique, owned by Michelle Preusch, sells a wide variety of exquisite beads, kits, and supplies to create unique jewelry and accessories.  The store also offers classes for beading beginners as well as those who want to perfect the craft. Clients can schedule private beading parties including wine and cheese to make it a complete evening out.  The store is conveniently located in the LA Fitness Plaza at 1046 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714

Michele Preusch is a self-proclaimed jewelry collector and considered a jewelry addict by family and friends, making her a perfect fit for this business. However, Michele experienced many twists and turns in her career, from accounting to real estate, and one eventful craft show before becoming a business owner.  Michele attended a craft show at Lake Eola and immediately fell in love with a piece of jewelry but was shocked by the piece’s high price.  She asked the seller who made the piece, assuming it was imported or made by an exotic designer.  After discovering the local seller made it, Michele concluded that she was just as talented and made the decision to learn how to make jewelry herself.  She threw herself into the process, as with everything she is in interested in, and bought every book related to jewelry making she could find. She read the books from cover to cover, sometimes twice, took classes and started her jewelry-making projects.  Michele loved her newly found hobby but was amazed at the limited supply of bead products available in the Central Florida. As the real estate market started its huge down turn, Michele knew she needed to change her career but wanted one that she thoroughly enjoyed – she started dreaming of owning her own store.

Seeking advice on how to start her business, Michele visited the Small Business Development Center at UCF and spoke with Assistant Director Pauline Davis about her idea.  Although she had conducted most of the necessary research, she wanted to make sure her idea was sound.  She spent over two hours talking with Pauline, who clearly presented both the positives and negatives of starting this business.  When she left the meeting, Michele felt she received the confirmation she was looking for and decided to move forward.  Michelle and her family financed the business through a home equity loan, and over the next few months, Michele implemented her plan and started searching for the right location, purchasing inventory, finding employees and addressing the concerns of the new business.  Today, the Beading Boutique offers its clients a hobby or fun outing without compromising the family budget – an important feature considering today’s weak economy.

Michele is thrilled with the services provided by the SBDC at UCF and says, “No way would I have started the business without Pauline Davis’s assistance.  She listened to the idea.  She gave input. And, whatever I did not know, she gave directions on how to find out. One cannot put a price on encouragement, and she stills keeps in touch and offers assistance. We are very thankful.” Michele states, “The Beading Boutique is a dream come true and I am looking forward to expanding the business, carrying new products, offering more classes, and always perfecting our customer service.” 

 “The Beading Boutique is a dream come true and I am looking forward to expanding the business, carrying new products, offering more classes, and always perfecting our customer service."

Michele Preusch
The Beading Boutique
Altamonte Springs