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Gabrielle grew-up in a single parent home. Her father had died when she was ten and her mother worked as a secretary. Money had been tight; therefore, she learned very quickly the difference between necessity and luxury. Prior to the new school year, Gabrielle’s mother would take her shopping and allow her to choose three new outfits from Kmart. An event that should have been fun was something that she dreaded because she didn’t like the styles from Kmart. Even at her age, she knew her clothes were different from the other kids at school who wore styles from such places as the Gap, the Limited, and Levi Strauss.
During one of their annual trips toward the big red K, Gabrielle tried to bargain with her mother. “Mom, what if we bought one outfit from the mall instead of three from Kmart?”
Her mom rolled her eyes, “Gabrielle, you have to understand that one designer outfit for $40.00 will purchase at least three at Kmart. Nothing is wrong with Kmart, stop being so picky. Our beer pocketbook can not support your champagne taste, but when you get older and earn your own money, then, you can shop wherever you want.”
“Mom, I’m not trying to be difficult, I just don’t understand why brand names are so expensive. Someday, I am going to have a place where people like us can buy clothes that are hip without creating a hole in your purse.”
Gabrielle sat back and dreamed of that day.
As soon as Gabrielle turned 16-years-old, she was hired as a salesperson at the Gap in the mall. Becoming a sales representative and receiving a 10% employee discount was a dream come true. She felt like she was being paid to guard over and wear clothes that she loved. Although wearing designer brand names made her feel special, she never lost focus on what she had told her mother in the car that day. Gabrielle was determined to use her gift of fashion to design clothes someday.
After graduating from college, Gabrielle worked at “Zanzi, a sweet little boutique in the city. For the next few years, Gabrielle watched and learned about the “ins and outs” of the fashion business so that one day her dream to open her own store would come true. Gabrielle’s clothing line was going to be sophisticated and fashionable, yet, with prices that were affordable. The Lord had placed it on her heart to use her talents to help others. (As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards. 1Peter 4:10) Her place was going to be a store where people with beer pocketbooks could buy champagne clothes.
“Welcome BP’s” opened before Gabrielle’s 30th birthday. During the grand-opening she served ale in champagne flutes to the customers who came through her door. The local paper had sent a reporter to interview her about her store and to find out what was behind the initials in the store’s title.
Gabrielle explained to the reporter that “Welcome BP’s” stands for Welcome Beer Pocketbooks! She vowed to her customers that her prices would remain affordable while keeping up with the latest fashions. Not everyone could afford to shop at Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales, but everyone would be able to purchase gorgeous styles without breaking their bank accounts in her little establishment.
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