September 2004 - Star Community Newspapers by Stacy Wright, Staff Writer
A mother/daughter team is fulfilling their dreams and giving back to the community through one business, Bella Rosa.
Bella Rosa, 2021 Justin Road, Suite 249, in Flower Mound, is a unique boutique selling women's apparel, shoes and jewelry.
Tammy Foster and her mother Rosalyn Wilson, started Bella Rosa six years ago. Bella Rosa meaning beautiful rose, was named after Wilson.
"We had always wanted to open a business together," Foster said. Foster and Wilson opted for the apparel business since Foster's brother had been in the clothing industry and Foster had worked in a boutique before.
But two years later Foster bought out her mother's portion of the business. Now Foster and her two daughters, Stacy Bone, 21 and Shelley Smith, 23, are owners.
Bella Rosa was created based on the phrase, "where fashion is an art form." "That was our focus, very artsy," Foster said. "I try to focus on things that are different."
The clothes in Bella Rosa are not the typical apparel you will see on the street.
"We typically cater to a person who wants to look a bit different," Foster said.
Also, Stone and String jewelry is exclusively sold at Bella Rosa. The jewelry line is made by Bone and Smith.
"They are all one-of-a-kind," Foster said. She said making jewelry has giver her daughters an outlet. Custom work is also available. The boutique also carries jewelry from The Jewelry Junkie.
The snazzy boutique hosts some of the latest fashions but with a twist. The clothing is meant for women of any age.
"It's really not about any age either," Foster said. "It's more of a feel."
Foster hopes the business gives women an outlet to feel good.
"I've always felt like I wanted to do something to give back to the community," Foster said. "I think shopping is sometimes therapy for women."
Some women need a new outfit to express themselves, while others come in the boutique to talk. Foster said they have made many good friends over the years.
She said with the business being located in Flower Mound on Justin Road, she always gets new clients.
But it wasn't always that way. At one point, like most businesses after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Bella Rosa also suffered. Bone said after the attacks business was slow but they managed to stay afloat around the fifth anniversary of Bella Rosa, business started to turn around.
And now, Bone says "business has been good this year ... the best year ever."
But Bella Rosa isn't all about business to the three women owners, they say it's about spending time together.
"The main thing for me is to have something that the kids and I can do together," Foster said. "Being together is more important than anything."
Meanwhile, Bone, Foster and Smith have no plans for expansion in the near future.
"We just sort of take it one day at a time." Foster said.
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