Owner and Proprietor Katherine of Helena's

Agent R.E.D. talked to Katherine Venzke, founder and proprietor of Helena’s, to learn more about her and her boutique. Before opening Helena’s, Katherine worked as a television and corporate media professional. When we asked Katherine why she left her job, she responded “I loved the hustle of being a TV and corporate media producer, and relished all the busyness and challenges of that world. I learned priceless skills of project management and team building in that job. When the opportunity came to open my business, I was well trained. Clothing and personal style had always been important to me.” There are two Helena’s stores in Arlington and Belmont, MA. The first store Katherine opened was the Arlington location. Arlington was the first town Katherine had moved to when she relocated to Massachusetts after college and loved the community there. Katherine said, “after growing the business for seven years at one location, I was eager to grow. Cushing Square in Belmont is a hub for independent women-owned businesses. I was drawn to that area for my second store, based on that collection of small businesses that make up that part of town, and the charm of the historic neighborhood.” Katherine expressed the endless challenges that come with opening a retail business. “There is no playbook for this endeavor.” Katherine was very organized, but there was a significant learning curve in getting a fashion business off the ground and building a healthy customer following. 

"There is no playbook for this endeavor."

Katherine looks for fashion that is contemporary and colorful when hand picking apparel, accessories and gifts to sell in her store. “We specialize in print and color in the collection we put together every season.” Helena’s customers come to Helena’s looking for pieces for an everyday wardrobe: denim, jackets, sweaters, layering tees and everything in between. “We help them build a collection of separates that works from work to evening. It’s a great relationship built on trust in our styling.” Lastly, we asked Katherine what her favorite trend is this summer in fashion. “I love eyelet tops in black or white paired with denim. Also the collection of print pants we carried this summer have been beautiful.”

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