Community Highlights: Meet Lauren Briley of Tipsy Ricki’s

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Briley.

Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

The journey here was quite the ride! Ever since I was little, I have always had a feeling I would be doing something fun, creative, and very detail-oriented. Although that didn’t align with my lifestyle at the time. I grew up playing softball and rubbing ball field dirt in my cuts and bruises was just the way I was.

I loved every second. When I graduated high school a year early, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. I ran with the idea I was going to go to a local community college and be an ultrasound tech but knew inside that was never truly what I wanted to do. I hated school, which is why I pushed myself to graduate early.

I remember my mom taking me all the way to the community college and telling her after the drive there I wasn’t getting out to register because it’s not what I wanted to do. You can imagine the drive back home. From there, I worked in so many different fields. I worked at a medical billing office, was a server, went BACK to the same medical billing office, and was self-employed and cleaned residential houses.

But in my most recent venture, before starting my own boutique, I was hired by one. It was funny really because as soon as I was about to make the jump from cleaning homes to starting this business on the side, I got a job offer. I accepted and started one of the most absolutely miserable experiences of my life, and although I disliked almost everything about the company, what it did teach me was that “I can do it”.

I could do this, I could start this business, and I could create my own vision. I stayed there for just shy of a year and ended up jumping ship back in November of 2021. It was the best decision I have ever made, and although it wasn’t the best time of my life, it gave me so much knowledge and confidence that, if they can do it and run a business this way, I can do it and bust it all the way through this journey.

That’s how Tipsy Ricki’s was born! Ricky, my dad, is who taught me everything I needed to know on and off the softball field, and so it was in my heart to have him at the center of this business. I’ve been so fortunate to have so many people support my small business and quickly build an amazing community on all platforms, which I am so thankful for!

Tipsy Ricki’s is my heart and my soul, and I wouldn’t be here without the amazing support of my husband.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

The road to starting a business is NOT easy at all. Social media is so powerful and you have so many people on TikTok and Instagram, making it seem like starting a business is a piece of cake. I am here to tell you, it’s not. If you ever see a video claiming how to “Start your business in just two weeks…” scroll past it.

It took me over 3 months to get all the documentation required, buy all my supplies, choose the items I wanted to sell, shoot, edit, publish, create content, and the list goes on. This is not a business for the weak and definitely not one where you snap your fingers and end up exactly where you want to be. This is not to say social media and the internet aren’t helpful, and won’t give you some amazing advice or introduce you to some incredible connections.

My business relies on the power of social media. I just want anyone to know that’s thinking about starting up your own business, that you CAN do it, just be prepared for bumps in the road, be prepared to not know what you’re doing but figuring it out, and to sit on the phone for 45 minutes just to be redirected back to point A. The hardest part about opening a business is starting it, once you get past that, it’s full steam ahead towards all your visions and dreams.

Don’t be discouraged and feel like you aren’t smart enough, or good enough to be here. No one has any more of a right than you do, and it’s okay to ask questions. If no one has told you that you can do it, I’m here to say you can!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tipsy Ricki’s?

Tipsy Ricki’s is a Nashville-based online boutique offering unique, trendy, and affordable women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. We strive to be a happy, fun, and bright place to be or shop whether you’re shopping on our website or scrolling through our social media platforms.

We love so many of your favorite brands and like to think we are a mashup of all of them selection-wise. We truly dress based on our mood, and what we happen to be feeling that day.

Here at Tipsy Ricki’s we love a good basic, but love a good statement piece even more, and want you to feel like you are getting a piece of Nashville without being belt buckles and cowboy hats… all the time anyways. In true Nashvillian fashion, we like to offer pieces that fit your day-to-day life, as well as your nights at tin-roof or the honkytonks!

We are proud of our connection with our customers and are here to serve their interests while staying true to our owner, Lauren’s style. If you love great sales, giveaways, discount codes, and so much more goodness, Tipsy Ricki’s is the place to be!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can reach us at [email protected] with any questions, or concerns, or just stop by with some love!

We also have a Tipsy Ricki’s Facebook page, and Instagram which can be found by searching @shoptipsyrickis, and a TIKTOK account which is @laureeeenbriley, our owner, who features Tipsy Ricki’s clothing and information.

Contact Info:

• • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://tipsyrickis.com
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoptipsyrickis/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tipsy-Rickis-107450678555425
  • Other: https://www.instagram.com/laureeeenbriley/