Aug. 9, 2019

Sugar Chic Mobile Boutique is growing a customer base in its first year “on the road” offering women’s clothing and accessories.

Owners Kristi Houghtaling and Becca Hohn shared a similar interest in having a fashion business of their own and worked together to make it happen this year.

The duo brings their styles to craft shows, different events and trunk shows — where they can show off what Houghtaling describes as modern and contemporary accessories, or “the sugar” that can make any outfit just a little sweeter.

They set up their merchandise at events, workplaces or in homes to create a pop-up shop.

What started as a jewelry and accessory business now has become a full boutique experience with clothes and styles meant to attract women of all ages and sizes.

Houghtaling said the client base built over the past year has been diverse in age, with some customers as young as 6 and as old as 80.

Houghtaling still works a full-time job at Advanced Travel Therapy, and Hohn recently switched from full- to part-time at Caribou Coffee so that she could focus more time on the business.

Sugar Chic Mobile Boutique’s biggest goal is to bring more brand awareness to the Sioux Falls area, they said. Houghtaling and Hohn have been increasing their local presence at different events to gain recognition. They will be at the Artisans for Animals event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Lewis Drug at 37th Street and Minnesota Avenue.

“It’s been a challenge in a lot of ways getting this new business off the ground,” Houghtaling said. “But it’s also been such a fun and rewarding experience too.”

All of Sugar Chic’s inventory can be found online and updates on pop-up shop locations are announced on the Sugar Chic Facebook page.