(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Sweet Olive Boutique Owner Amy Schepemaker.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Eupora Dec. 23, 1982.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to Eupora High School. I am a Mississippi State graduate and a master’s graduate of USM for marriage and family therapy. My background is as a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I own Sweet Olive Boutique on Main Street. I started this store eight years ago on Second Street and was next to Second Street Bean for two years.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I wanted to get out of counseling full time. I did it for several years and had my own practice for a little while. It was a really stressful field, and I always loved clothing and jewelry. It was a de-stresser for me. My sister-in-law, Paris, has the Bean, and she told me I really should open a clothing store. I thought that would be great because it’s one of my stress relievers. I would go buy something small here and there to just make me feel better about my week. The building next to her became available, so my husband, Michael, and I bought it and remodeled it. The art gallery came in and rented from us. I actually started out at the Heritage Festival in 2010. I had a booth with some jewelry and clothes, and it was a really big hit and people were asking if I had a store somewhere. My husband had a flooring business and moved his flooring showroom into the building that we had, and the gallery was on the other side. I set up one little table of jewelry in the flooring showroom, and it just took off. Within two months I quit my full-time job and was able to open on Second Street. I was there for two years and did really well, and I wanted to expand. I expanded to Memphis and had three stores there. We committed to be there for five years and decided to move back. When I started the business, we didn’t have children and now we have three — Finn, Jonah and Olive. When we were there, I was working seven days a week, 11 hours a day with no break while trying to be a mom. I decided to simplify because it was either the stores suffer or my kids suffer, so we decided to move back here. The weekend we moved back, I moved into Jan Marie’s Flea Market for a few months while we waited on this building to get ready. We bought this building in June and renovated it in two months. My husband and father-in-law, Rob, did all the work, and we opened in the beginning of September.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I love the relationships that I build. It’s kind of neat because with a background in therapy, I love relationship building. I love listening to people and finding out about them. A lot of women come in here, and it’s like an escape from work real quick or just have something going on that’s stressful and need some retail therapy or a break. I’m able to just talk with people, encourage them and help them find something they feel good about on themselves. I really like helping women find something that is flattering to their figure. It’s fun to offer something to women we all need as moms and just as women.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: Just trying to juggle the work life plus being mom because I still stay home two days a week with my kids. It’s very important to me that I’m able to give them the very best of myself. There’s a lot of work that goes into this as far as ordering, pricing and finding the right items after hours.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked at Pine Belt Mental Health Care after I got my master’s degree. I was a school-based counselor.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My husband because he’s a real go getter and really good at starting up businesses. He’s owned several businesses and sold them. He’s the business mind behind what I do, and he’s encouraged me to do this. He’s a real risk taker; whereas, I’m not. He really pushes me in that aspect because he sees I can do something or we can do it together. He’s a pretty big inspiration in getting me to step out of the box and try new things.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: I would want to go to Cotton Blues, and I would probably order a little bit of everything off the menu. I’m a country girl so I do like Southern-style vegetables.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’ve never been to Disney World, so I would love to go to Disney World and take my kids.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to get pedicures and manicures, and I love to shop at flea markets. I like to find used furniture and chalk paint it or restore it.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: I just love the people here. They are so supportive, so kind, so hospitable and welcoming. You could go anywhere and have a business, but if you don’t have people that are receptive or you enjoy it takes the joy out of it. The people here have a great attitude, and there’s a great air about this town.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: I really like Sandra Bullock as an actress, and it would be fun to get to know her.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: Probably still run my own clothing business.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: A good movie. I’m not a reader at all, and I love movies.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: Years ago I decided to commit my life to the Lord, and since then I feel like my life has completely been guided by Him. He’s led me on an exciting adventure with life because I feel like since I committed my life to the Lord and when you do that there’s lots of times of trouble but also lots of time of blessings. I’ve seen both in my life, and I feel like because I did that He’s always guided my steps, protected me and blessed me.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: I would want to go to Paris with my husband.
Q: If you could describe your top three morals, what would they be?
A: You should always think of others before you think of yourself, always give when you’re able to give to others and treat others as you would want to be treated.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As someone who served others when they needed something and was always thinking of others.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Sweet Olive Boutique Owner Amy Schepemaker has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and see parallels in what she does now in retail. “A lot of women come in here, and it’s like an escape from work real quick or just have something going on that’s stressful and need some retail therapy or a break,” she says. “I’m able to just talk with people, encourage them and help them find something they feel good about on themselves.” | Photo by Joshua Campbell
