By Marley Malenfant/reporter
Tempestt Benschop illustrates it’s never too early to pursue a dream or an idea.
Benschop, a SE student majoring in marketing, makes her own jewelry and has always wanted to open a fashion boutique to sell her designs.
So she established an online boutique at TempestRizingBoutique.com, which officially opened in January.
“I’ve always liked the concept of dressing up, the princess syndrome,” she said. “I often had people ask me for advice on how to dress. This, in turn, spawned the idea to share my sense of style first through making custom jewelry. Since then I have graduated to selling not only jewelry but designer suits, shoes, hats and even bedding.”
Benschop describes the clothing she sells as elegant and sophisticated at a reasonable price. She said the style of clothing appeals to people who are required to wear suits in their professions.
“I like formal attire, and I know a lot of people in the area that like formal, unique clothing,” she said. “But I know there isn’t a lot of that in the area.”
Benschop said that since her clothing is aimed for a mature audience, she has sold some of her accessories to various professors and students around SE Campus.
SE English assistant professor Benita Reed said she purchased jewelry from the boutique. Reed said the clothes are stylish, economical and age-appropriate.
“She has a sense of style where women can express themselves,” she said. “I could wear those clothes from the boardroom to the banquet without worrying about changing.”
Benschop said that because of the prices and the variety on the site, she will get more clientele.
“K&G is very helpful with their prices, but their style of suits isn’t always unique,” she said. “[The site] specializes in selling suits for men and women. Anything from dress suits for work to if you wanted to go to a tea party with the queen. We have really nice suits. “
English associate professor Vicki Sapp described Benschop as business-minded as a student balancing school and social life.
“She gets on an idea and really pushes it,” she said. “The clothing is extraordinary. She does her thing.”
SE sociology instructor Roc Callaway said he doesn’t like wearing suits but said he was impressed with what he saw on the site.
“I’m not into suits, but I would absolutely buy a suit off the site,” he said. “The prices are good.”
Benschop said she hopes to have an actual store by next year.
“I see myself having a physical location along with continuing my online boutique,“she said.
Benschop said her faith and her family help.
“God blessed me with the idea. My family supported the idea, and I took action to make it reality,” she said.
