My Biz: Retailer makes sure she knows everything in her store

Name: Jodi Cobb

Title: Owner and manager

Company: Jodi K's Women's Fashion Boutique

Address: 5300 Edgewood Rd., Suite 400

Phone: (319) 365-2711

Website: www.jodiks.com

Elevator pitch: “I like to touch everything so I know what's in the store.”

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jodi Cobb and her mother used to make monthly trips to Cedar Falls to shop for clothing and accessories at Jennifer's On Main, an upscale women's clothing boutique that opened in 2003.

“I adore that store,” Cobb said. “They offer something unique and brands you can't get elsewhere in town.”

When, due to declining enrollment, Cobb faced the tough decision of closing the preschool she'd owned and operated, turned to her mind turned to thoughts of similar shopping opportunities in Cedar Rapids.

So Cobb approached Jennifer's owner, Jodi Deery, about opening a women's clothing boutique in Cedar Rapids.

“She said she'd help every step of the way, no ownership or profit requested,” Cobb recalled.

“Without Jodi Deery's generosity, encouragement and support I wouldn't be here. We are separate businesses, but we help each other out.”

Cobb went on her first buying trip to market with the Jennifer's On Main folk two years ago and opened Jodi K's in March 2011.

Finding a suitable location for the business was more of a challenge, however.

“It was a tough decision on location,” she said. “We originally looked at a space near Bed, Bath and Beyond. I wanted to be by the (Lindale) mall.”

She eventually decided on a shop in a strip mall on the northeast side.

“We decided we wanted a small space so we could be strategic about merchandising,” Cobb recalled.

Her father, Pat Cobb, is co-owner of the shop.

“This is how I was raised. We had a family business and now this is the family's, too,” Cobb said.

Cobb typically starts her work day at 10 a.m. when the store opens.

“Before we leave for the night we have everything cleaned and ready to go for the next morning so those working can be ready to help customers walking through the door,” she explained.

She checks on what is going on in the store, approves shipments, assists customers and receives orders. She checks every item that comes in - “I like to touch everything so I know what's in the store.”

What she doesn't enjoy are buying trips.

“It's just not my favorite part, and people don't believe me because they think that part would be so much fun. I just like it when the merchandise rolls in.”

Know a business owner or manager at a company in operation for at least a year who should be considered for “My Biz”? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova at michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net