Since she was a teenager, Lori Thomson dreamed of owning a store. A
lover of fashion and art, Thomson spent the next 30 or so years paving the way
for the realization of her “passion project” by working in retail, corporate
retail, and creating visual displays for retailers such as Macy’s and
Bloomingdale’s.
Then, last year, a series of “whirlwind” changes led Thomson and her
family to relocate from Lansdale to Elkins Park and with the move, the
opportunity to open a boutique. In mid-April she held an official opening for Vera Doyle, a Mt. Airy shop comprised of various
home décor items, jewelry, apparel, coffee table books, candles, and body care
items such as lotions and soaps. Thomson is also looking to feature rotating
artists on the store’s walls. Items are all sourced from over 20 different
women-owned businesses and artists.
“The store is a welcoming space for everybody,” Thomson said. “The store
is about memories, making memories, telling stories of all these vendors and
brands and artists. Behind these things you’re buying it’s a person. Everyone
has a story, experience, obstacles, and victories.”
The boutique is named for Thomson’s mother, Vera Calimano (whose maiden
name was Doyle). While cleaning out the attic in her Long Island, N.Y. home,
Calimano found a box of old photos. She mailed them to her daughter and voila,
Thomson found the inspiration for her store name, its décor, and its marketing
in a 1970s-era photo of her mother.
“What I wanted to do for the store was to represent women, especially
women of color, like my mom,” Thomson said. “It’s my homage to her, my gift to
her. She deserves to have her name up on a building and lights.”
The youngest of four children, the entrepreneur and her mother have
always been close and able to “read each other’s minds,” according to Thomson.
Yet, their mother-daughter intuition did not prepare Calimano for the
overwhelming emotions she felt after seeing her face on the wall of her
daughter’s store, which was named in her honor.
“It was overwhelming for her, but in a good way,” Thomson said.
While the love of her mother coupled with the realization of her dream
has continued to push her forward, getting started was “really scary,” she
said. In summer 2022 she began mentoring with Steve Wolfson of SCORE Bucks
County, who guided her through finding a location, store style, product selection
and pricing.
“He’s been a really great person to ask anything,” she said. “I call him
my guidance counselor. He was very informative. He was up front and honest. It
keeps you humble and on the right path.”
Wolfson said he will continue to mentor Thomson, adding that she’s
well-equipped for business success.
“Lori has worked very hard at creating a store that is inviting to
enter, easy to search out products for the home or gifts, and affordable for
everyone,” Wolfson said. “Lori is an excellent SCORE client working very hard
to achieve a sustainable business that has a need - per her customers’ comments
- in the community.”
Thomson recommends anyone looking to open a store call on SCORE for
invaluable insight. In addition to finding a mentor, she suggests devising an
effective plan, knowing your market, and focusing on your vision.
“Follow your heart,” she said. “When you really stick to your mission
and your truth it’ll happen the way you want it to happen.”
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11
million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE
provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000
new and growing small businesses.?With more than 70 members across Bucks
and Eastern Montgomery counties, SCORE Bucks?County?provides over
4,300 free mentoring services annually to local small
business owners through one-on-one counseling and small business
seminars. To stay up to date on news and happenings, join SCORE Bucks
County’s email list. Text SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
