LOOKING BACK ON 15 YEARS OF LIT
I don’t think we’re alone when we say we’re ready to put 2020 in the rearview. But in spite of all the challenges the last year brought, we’re looking toward 2021 with optimism, excitement and determination. Why? LIT is celebrating 15 years in business, and that’s something worth celebrating!
This year marks our 15 year anniversary on Newbury Street, 10 years on Hanover Street, and 5 years in Portsmouth. To celebrate this milestone, we sat down with LIT’s owner and head buyer, Lisa Shah, to hear her thoughts on LIT’s journey over the years and pick her brain on what’s in store for the future!
Read on for our Q&A with Lisa.
LOOKING BACK WITH LISA SHAH, OWNER AND HEAD BUYER, LIT BOUTIQUE
WHAT WAS YOUR VISION WHEN YOU FOUNDED LIT? HAS THAT CHANGED?
Lisa: Our original vision when we opened up was to create a space where women can be inspired and dress for power moments: moments in life where they need to feel their best, to be their best. Even with all that’s changed over the years, that vision remains the same.
Our vision for the brand has been the same, because what it takes to make someone feel powerful and beautiful doesn’t change! What has changed is the symbol of powerful and beautiful. For example, the pandemic has shown us that sweats can be not only acceptable, but powerful (shoutout to all of our work from home women getting it done in sweats and not letting anything stop them!) A year ago, mainstream fashion would not have considered that, but times change and styles do too. The world’s standards for power and meaningful moments have been redefined by COVID, and we’re redefining ourselves — and the experiences and products we bring the LIT community — in turn.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SHIFT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED OVER THE 15 YEARS?
Lisa: There have been a number of shifts over the years, but honestly, 2020 has probably brought the biggest evolution. How we do business and how people live their lives is so dramatically different since the pandemic — and LIT is of course not immune to that shift.
I’d like to think we’ve embraced the shift with open arms, grit and determination. We’ve made changes big and small across all aspects of LIT, from building up our online presence so our customers can safely shop from home if they prefer, to changing the brands we carry and focusing on brands that really align with our core values — and, carrying more local brands too! The common thread across all of these changes has been a reaffirmed focus on our core community: the LIT babes who have been with us over the years. The strong women who have shopped with us for life’s big moments and all the moments in between. With so much change going on around us all, we want to make sure that the LIT experience remains a constant for our customers and that we’re supporting our community in the ways that work best for them, and make them feel their best at the end of the day.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Lisa: When I look back at all we’ve accomplished over the years, the one thing that stands out is our community! In the last 15 years we’ve built a community comprised of the ultimate group of go-getters and savage style mavens — that goes for our staff and our LIT babes.
I’m so inspired by the LIT family, internally and externally, for showing us what it means to live a LIT Life every day: to look good, feel good, and do good. LIT was founded on the inspiration of modern women, and the power they convey through their actions — and outfits — every day. It truly feels like we’re on the cutting edge of new trends and styles, as well as entrepreneurship and leadership, and that feels good. Our staff and customers reaffirm that belief and inspiration day in and day out, and I’m so proud that LIT has been able to play a role in fostering that power, confidence and conviction through our community and LIT family.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FOR THE FUTURE OF LIT?
Lisa: We’re incredibly future-focused and our direction will always continue on that trajectory. We’re always asking ourselves “what comes next?” both in our world and within our own four walls, and LIT is constantly evolving to be an active part of building that future.
Being a mother of 2, one thing I care a lot about is building a more sustainable and greener future for my kids. Frankly, the carbon footprint in the fashion industry is horrible. LIT is dedicated to pivoting with brands that care about this too. We are also creating in-store offers with local brands and providers to cut down on shipping footprints and keeping the wealth within our own community. As a small business, we’re big believers in shopping small and local, and we know we have a role to play in paying it forward.
CHEERS TO THE NEXT 15 YEARS!
Every step of the way, you’ve been there with us. Whether you’ve come into our stores, shopped online, or shared your LIT moments with us on social media, thank you. We’re inspired by the strength and resilience of this community, and we’re more committed than ever to spreading the power of a LIT Life: looking good, feeling good and doing good, too. Here’s to the next 15 years and beyond!