2008
20
$153,000
$40,000
$290,000
No
Bobbles & Lace is a vibrant women's fashion boutique that offers a curated selection of stylish clothing, shoes, and accessories at affordable prices. Established in 2008, the brand has grown from a single storefront in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to a thriving franchise network with over 20 locations across the United States.
The franchise model is designed for entrepreneurs who are passionate about fashion and community engagement. Each Bobbles & Lace store provides a personalized shopping experience, combining high-quality products with exceptional customer service. The brand's commitment to inclusivity and style ensures that every woman can find something that makes her feel confident and beautiful.
Proven Business Model: With over 20 locations, Bobbles & Lace has demonstrated consistent growth and profitability.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training, operational guidance, and marketing assistance to ensure success.
Community-Centric Brand: The brand emphasizes building strong relationships with customers, creating a loyal and engaged community.
Scalable Opportunities: With plans for nationwide expansion, franchisees have the potential to grow within the brand.
1. Established Year:
Bobbles & Lace was founded in 2008. The brand started as a single boutique in Marblehead, Massachusetts, aiming to offer stylish, affordable fashion for women of all ages.
2. Founders:
The boutique was founded by Lindsay Rando, who envisioned creating a shopping destination where women could find curated, trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories without paying designer prices. Lindsay’s passion for fashion and community engagement shaped the brand’s ethos and growth strategy.
3. Franchise Units:
Since its inception, Bobbles & Lace has successfully expanded into a franchise model. Currently, there are over 20 franchise locations across the United States, with ongoing plans for nationwide growth.
4. Brand Journey / Company History:
2008: First Bobbles & Lace boutique opens in Marblehead, MA.
2010-2015: Expansion to multiple locations in Massachusetts and surrounding states.
2016: The franchise model is introduced, allowing independent investors to open stores under the brand name.
2017-Present: Strategic growth in key U.S. cities, focusing on affluent, trendy markets where customers seek boutique shopping experiences.
Throughout its journey, the brand has maintained a focus on affordability, style, and excellent customer service, which has built a loyal customer base.
5. Ownership:
Bobbles & Lace remains privately owned, with corporate leadership guiding the franchise network and supporting franchisees.
6. Market Presence in the USA:
The franchise has a strong footprint in the Northeast and expanding presence nationwide. Locations are typically chosen in vibrant, high-traffic areas with young, fashion-conscious consumers.
7. Industry Category:
Bobbles & Lace operates in the retail and women’s fashion boutique industry, positioned in the affordable-chic segment. The brand competes with other small boutique chains but differentiates itself with its curated collections, community focus, and personalized shopping experience.
8. Other Key Information:
Known for hosting in-store events, promotions, and styling sessions to attract and retain customers.
Focused on building community engagement through social media, local events, and loyalty programs.
Recognized for maintaining trendy, high-quality products while keeping prices accessible.
Bobbles & Lace places a strong emphasis on ensuring that franchisees are fully prepared to run a successful boutique. Their support and training programs cover every stage of the business, from pre-launch to ongoing operations.
Before opening, Bobbles & Lace assists franchisees in setting up a strong foundation for success:
Site Selection & Lease Negotiation: Guidance on choosing a high-traffic location suitable for boutique retail, including demographic analysis and lease support.
Store Design & Layout: Assistance with designing a visually appealing and functional store that aligns with the brand’s style standards.
Initial Inventory Planning: Support in selecting the right products for the target market, including seasonal trends and popular styles.
Permits & Compliance: Guidance on securing all necessary permits, licenses, and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Bobbles & Lace provides comprehensive training programs to ensure franchisees and their teams are ready to manage day-to-day operations:
Operations Training: Detailed instruction on managing store operations, employee scheduling, inventory management, and daily workflows.
Merchandising & Visual Standards: Training on product placement, display techniques, and maintaining the boutique’s signature aesthetic.
Customer Service Excellence: Guidance on delivering a personalized shopping experience, handling customer inquiries, and building customer loyalty.
Point-of-Sale (POS) System Training: Instruction on using the store’s POS system for transactions, reporting, and inventory tracking.
Bobbles & Lace ensures franchisees have the tools to drive traffic and build a loyal customer base:
Grand Opening Support: Assistance with launch marketing, events, and promotions to create a strong initial impact.
Ongoing Marketing Guidance: Templates and strategies for social media, email campaigns, seasonal promotions, and community engagement.
Brand Guidelines: Ensures consistent branding across all stores, including signage, packaging, and promotional materials.
The franchise provides continuous assistance to help franchisees grow and thrive:
Operational Support: Access to the corporate team for troubleshooting, operational advice, and store performance reviews.
Merchandising Updates: Guidance on seasonal inventory updates, trend analysis, and product rotation to maximize sales.
Networking & Community: Opportunities to connect with other franchisees for knowledge sharing, workshops, and collaborative events.
Academic Resources: Access to online training modules, workshops, and guides for skill enhancement and staff development.
Local Market Insights: Tailored advice for marketing and promotions based on the franchisee’s location and customer base.
Growth & Expansion Guidance: Support for multi-unit ownership or expansion into additional markets.
Franchisee Portal Access: Centralized online resources, including operations manuals, marketing materials, and business analytics tools.
Bobbles & Lace seeks franchisees who are not only financially capable but also passionate about fashion, retail, and community engagement. The franchise model is best suited for individuals who want to run a boutique business that blends style, service, and local connections.
Business Ownership Motivation: Ideal franchisees are motivated to own and operate their own business rather than work as an employee.
Decision-Making & Leadership: They are capable of making strategic decisions, leading a small team, and taking responsibility for daily operations.
Growth-Oriented Mindset: They are open to expanding their boutique or exploring multi-unit opportunities as the business grows.
Interest in Trends: Franchisees should have a strong interest in women’s fashion, including clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Customer Experience Focused: They understand the importance of delivering personalized shopping experiences and maintaining high service standards.
Brand Alignment: They resonate with the Bobbles & Lace mission of providing affordable, stylish products that make women feel confident.
Engagement with Local Market: Successful franchisees are proactive in building relationships with their local community, attending events, and promoting their store through local channels.
Customer Loyalty Building: They value creating long-term customer relationships rather than focusing solely on transactions.
Social Media Savvy: They can use social platforms to enhance engagement, promote products, and participate in brand-wide campaigns.
Available Capital: Franchisees must have sufficient capital to cover total investment requirements, including franchise fee, store setup, initial inventory, marketing, and working capital.
Ability to Manage Operations: They should be prepared to handle operational costs, payroll, and ongoing expenses effectively.
Risk Management: Franchisees should be comfortable with the inherent risks of retail business ownership and able to make informed financial decisions.
Target Markets: Ideal franchisees prefer establishing stores in high-traffic, trendy, or affluent areas where boutique retail is in demand.
Local Market Knowledge: Familiarity with the area’s demographics, shopping behaviors, and competitors is advantageous.
Flexibility in Expansion: Willingness to consider multiple store locations in growing markets.
Passionate about fashion and customer service.
Strong leadership, organizational, and people management skills.
Motivated, self-driven, and goal-oriented.
Able to follow the franchise system while adding local flair.
Committed to ongoing learning and growth, both personally and professionally.
| Financial Component | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $153,000 – $290,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fees | 1% of gross sales |
| Store Infrastructure & Buildout | $75,000 – $150,000 (includes store design, furnishings, signage, and fixtures) |
| Initial Inventory | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Working Capital | $10,000 – $20,000 (to cover operational expenses during the first months) |
| Expected ROI | Typically 20–30% annually, depending on location, market conditions, and management |
| Break-Even Time | 12–24 months |
| Revenue Streams | - Sale of clothing, shoes, and accessories - Seasonal promotions - Special events & workshops |
| Franchise Units | Over 20 locations across the USA |
| Other Costs / Contingency | $5,000 – $10,000 (unexpected expenses, store upgrades, training updates) |
Notes for Investors:
Initial investment may vary depending on store size, location, and local lease costs.
Marketing and promotional support is included as part of ongoing franchise support, which helps maximize revenue potential.
Franchisees benefit from multi-revenue streams, including seasonal collections, loyalty programs, and in-store events.
The break-even point is achievable within 1–2 years for well-managed locations in high-traffic areas.
