Business Spotlight: Clothes boutique sells Southern Asian wear

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: K Styles
Type of business: Women's clothing and accessories studio
Owner: Shalendra Sharma
Founded: February 2011
Address: Antioch
Phone number: 925-757-4429
Hours: By appointment only
Number of employees: one
Products and services: K Styles features authentic Southern Asian wear, including women's blouses, tunics, leggings and tops. They also carry necklaces, bracelets and earrings, including pieces made of sterling silver, cubic zirconium and gemstones. In addition, K Styles sells purses, pillbox's, business card holders and fashion accessories.
How did you get into the business?: At one point Shalendra Sharma and his wife, Kajal, were talking about the lack of local boutiques that carry Southern Asian clothing and thought it was something that's needed. Shalendra looked into what it would take to open a store and K Styles was the outcome.
Best part about the business?: K Styles premiered in February at a show at the Fremont Hilton. The idea is to display their clothing and accessories in exhibition settings to get the word out.
"This gives us the added advantage of being able to move our inventory quickly and not just in our own community but outside as well," Kajal Sharma said.
She said she likes the fact that they can keep their in-home studio and also move their business to various events.
Worst part about the business?: Sharma said that they haven't encountered a downside so far. She did say that while many of their items come from within the United States, some are purchased overseas. In those cases, it's an involved process returning them to the manufacturer if product arrives damaged.
Key to success: "Keeping our product line fresh and unique," Sharma said.
She said that K Styles is working hard to vary merchandise and ensure that it isn't the same thing that can be found at local department stores. They are keeping their setting much like a boutique that features one-of-a-kind items.
Biggest misperception about the business: Sharma said that usually the only source of the Southern Asian fashions is from major department stores and there isn't a large selection.
"It wouldn't be uncommon to go to an event and find someone who is wearing the same outfit or one that is just in a slightly different color," Sharma said. "K Styles offers unique clothing."
She said that everything is so unusual that you know if you are wearing something from their selection you won't be seeing someone else in the area with the same outfit.
Future plans: "Get out there and spread the word," she said.
K Styles has been at several Bay Area events and plans to continue marketing itself this way. They will be attending a show in Berkeley and then a large show at Cal-State East Bay over the July 4 weekend.