Laura PytlikFor many people, building a small business into a thriving and popular downtown shop would be the pinnacle of achievement. Most would consider that success enough, and would happily stay in cruise control while riding out their career. But Jon Givens, owner of SP Curated, isn’t like most people and when he reached success he shifted into high gear and kept on going.
If you haven’t visited SP Curated, you are missing out on a delightful retail experience. Before you even enter the store the window displays will have you swooning. It’s hard to describe SP Curated without referencing other well- known companies. Think West Elm meets Anthropologie, with a bit of European flea market thrown in. A blend of cottage, industrial, urban and vintage inspired goods are displayed in layered vignettes that require some serious browsing.
For unique gifts, trendy accessories and right-now décor SP Curated is one of the go-to stores in Marietta. You can find whimsical hardware next to luxe body products, cool paper products near the gorgeous bedding. It’s really kind of amazing how many items can be artfully presented in the small shop, and Jon keeps the inventory fresh and attractive.
So what does a merchant do when he has a satisfied customer base, a well-curated shop, and a busy life? Why, he takes his business to the internet, of course! Introducing SP Curated, an online curated boutique. You can find the shop at www.spcurated.com, and your first visit will be one of many. Initially the website was created to provide store information, updates and blog posts. But it morphed into a full online store that offers inspiration and unique shopping from the comfort of wherever you might be.
The first reaction to the website is “wow”. It’s that beautiful. In Jon’s words, “SP Curated is an eclectic lifestyle retailer dedicated to our customers through an innovative combination of products, creativity and cultural understanding. Our mission is to inspire our customers, express their individuality and connect with their personal style”.
With the help of Tina Ullman and Alix Northrup of Ullman Design, the site developed and achieves Jon’s mission in a big way. It has the aesthetic to rival any large retailer, but there is a major difference between SP Curated and the big players. Surprisingly, every product photo on the website is the work of Jon himself. That’s right – the lighting, composition, styling – Jon creates the lovely photos right there in the shop.
Along with doing his own photography, Jon personally handles all the online sales. The products are not drop-shipped from a distant manufacturer but personally packaged and shipped from the physical store. If a product does well in the store, it earns a spot online and people are starting to notice; items have been shipped all over Ohio and throughout several states. A special software program helps Jon keep track of his inventory so an item is instantly removed from availability when it sells.
Running a physical shop and online store at the same time is a juggling act many people couldn’t master. Jon Givens not only masters it, he makes it look fun. His creativity, design and business skills are the driving force behind the success of SP Curated. His passion and love for his work and his customers are the force that keeps him moving forward.