Today we’d like to introduce you to Desirae Arana.
Hi Desirae. We’d love for you to introduce yourself.
First thing first – I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE THE OWNER OF A WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE! Looking back through the years, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I can now see how each stage and phase of my life has shaped that spirit. I was born in NY but raised in Puerto Rico when my parents moved us there when I was 10. The island’s entrepreneurial spirit has made it what it is today. The people on that island are self-made, which is a big part of its resilience. “Mom & Pop” shops are the norms, and the entrepreneurial tone, natural or inherited, keeps it alive. I grew up seeing that and loved having something of my own and making it what I wanted. But I was young and never thought it would be me one day. I moved to Florida to attend Valencia Community College and graduated from UCF with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources. I worked my entire college career in retail and customer service and was able to secure a significant role right out of school once I graduated. Through the years, I learned and developed a career in all customer service related: Compensation, Employee Relations, Benefits, and Recruitment. I am also so grateful for the opportunities to work with amazing mentors and individuals who took me under their wings and allowed me to develop and learn from their talents. I loved and still love HR. Throughout my career, I married my husband Chris, and we have four kids together, so needless to say, we have our hands complete. Those same mentors have helped me learn to balance a healthy career and be Mom, and so much of that helped me transition from a Human Resources professional to the boutique owner I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey to where I am today has been nothing short of crazy, challenging, and odd, yet perfect timing. By 2020 I had been laid off three times due to economic and business challenges and was ready for a change. I needed to put my strengths together and decide what I wanted to do for the next phase of my life. My kids were indeed getting older but still demanded so much of me, my creative spirit was bursting at the seams, and my passion for customer service was seen in everything I did, even when volunteering in my kid’s classrooms. So, where does clothing come in? Well, I love clothes and feeling comfortable and pretty, and it was always hard because I don’t have what some call an “average” body type. This is where my creativity came in, and I thought it would be great to mix all my passions and make something of it. 4 Oak Lane Apparel is named after the acronym “4 Oak,” which stands for “4 of a kind” about my kids. They’re all different with different challenges but with the same need and desire to be included and accepted the way they are. This is how so many women feel emotionally and especially when shopping. So I launched a women’s boutique that offered not only cute things but also creative solutions and ways to wear them at an affordable price for women of all sizes. In 2020 and smack in the middle of a pandemic and a toilet paper shortage, with the support of my husband and family, we launched 4 Oak Lane Apparel online only.
We grew tremendously quickly because our focus was to help women feel comfortable and make the online shopping experience feel like they were with us in person. But with that growth came so many mistakes, not only financial but business ones as well, and trying to stand out and keep up with the “big boxes” we all know and love. To grow our business as a family, we put ourselves out there by participating in pop-ups, attending events, and doing everything we could to get our name out there. But looking back, I wouldn’t change any of those challenges or mistakes. They led us to find what works for us and what doesn’t and evolve our online store to the now fun and corky Brick & Mortar it is today. As a family, I saw my kids be part of our growth and even contribute to our success with customers and orders. For us, every mistake is an opportunity for transitioning, and every transition comes with a “first” that we’ve never done. Every day is a challenge, from business licenses to permitting to shipping delays with an inventory. But my heart has never been so happy to put together everything I love – fashion, family, customer service, business, and the joy of helping women feel comfortable in their skin.
We’ve been impressed with 4 Oak Lane Apparel, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Who are we? We are Clermont’s newest Women’s Boutique! We strive to bring fun, functionality, and comfort to every piece we offer. We seek to love our customers while providing a fun and seamless shopping experience, in person and online. We work hard, and we have fun doing so. Getting creative, serving well, and solving problems are just some of the responsibilities we love having. While we love clothes, we appreciate even more those who choose us. We seek to bring joy and relieve pain points – because every woman deserves to feel her best. We aren’t afraid of hard work, getting our hands dirty, or fearful of racks too high for us to reach. The world of women’s fashion is ever-changing, and we are here to change with it while staying true to our values. We wake up every day excited about the beauty and fun we get to create for our people. We are a small business. We are 4 Oak Lane Apparel.
What makes you happy?
My happiness lies in bringing joy and humor to others. Whether it be taking care of my family, friends, community, or customers, I love to take care of others. I love spending time with my family, traveling to new places, taking on new experiences, and learning new things every day. And there is nothing that makes me happier than my big Hispanic family coming together every week for Sunday dinner. My family means everything to me, and I couldn’t have gotten there without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.shop4oaklane.com
- Instagram: 4_oaklaneapparel
- Facebook: Facebook.com/4oaklane
