Exploring Life and Business with Barbara Berndt of The Secret Well Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Berndt.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Secret Well Boutique opened in May of 2018 in a small hair salon in Castle Rock Co. We are a mother-daughter team who wanted to work and build something together around our passion for Christ, people, and fashion. We developed a following that helped us to begin the search for our own brick-and-mortar store. We found the perfect place in Elizabeth, CO. This community is the best part of our little Boutique. They never stop supporting small businesses! We celebrated four years in business this past May.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any business, it is never a smooth road. We have had several challenges along the way but we are dedicated to making our business a success and to put in the work. One struggle, of course, was the two years of Covid 19 that completed shut down many small businesses. We survived a several week shutdown and the isolation of customers which was no easy task. We are so very thankful for our community, they saved us! They shopped online, bought gift cards, referred others to us, and rallied behind us when we needed it the most. Hannah and I decided early on that we would work hard through adversity and never stop being creative to make our own way in the world of small business. We now face another challenge. Prices for food and gas are skyrocketing which affects every family’s budget. We are more determined than ever to find a way to keep our business relevant and our prices affordable for our customers.

We’ve been impressed with The Secret Well Boutique, 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?
The Secret Well Boutique is located in Elizabeth, Colorado. The Boutique is a unique shop and a fun shopping experience. The Boutique is owned by a mother/daughter team, Hannah Madsen and Barbara Berndt, who thrive on building relationships with customers and promoting collaboration with other local businesses. If you are looking for a complete shopping experience and to walk away with a friendship, you will find just that at The Secret Well. The Boutique has a beautiful line of women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories. It also houses a baby/kid Boutique called FinMil Fashion, owned by the next generation of girls, Finley and Millie. The Secret Well carries gifts and special treasures that you never knew you needed! It is always evolving and changing so stop by soon, we can’t wait to meet you!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Giving advice is always hard because each business is different in their successes and challenges. Generally speaking I would say that developing good relationships with customers and being involved in your community is extremely important. Sometimes it seems that customer service is at an all-time low. However, if you really make the effort in that area, that is what will set you apart from other businesses.

Contact Info:

• Website: Thesecretwell.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecretwellboutique/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretWellBoutique