Owner Holly Skowronski in Modern Soul Boutique. Provided photo.

Many dream of opening their own business. Fewer actually do so. While passion for what one does is at the heart of any new business venture, it’s only half of the equation. New businesses take time, money and perhaps most of all, perseverance. Holly Skowronski knows this. In 2019 Skowronski, who had spent 15 years as a buyer in corporate retail, opened Modern Soul Boutique on St. Armands Circle. The clothing store quickly became a hit, revered for its trendy style and approachable prices.

“When I opened I knew I wanted to be a destination for women who want great everyday pieces that they'll wear all season long. Very casual pieces that they can mix and match that are not cheap, but are at a good price point,” says Skowronski. “We don’t get too fancy and we’re not super high-end and I saw a need for that, especially on St. Armands.”

Skowronski’s eye for style and passion for the business caused Modern Soul to thrive—that is until disaster, quite literally struck. Last September’s Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage to much of the area, especially businesses on St. Armand’s Key. “All the business owners got around three feet of water in their stores. At first, I wasn’t planning on reopening—it was a little traumatic,” says Skowronski.

However, Skowronski persevered. Working in tandem with her husband Jason, who works in real estate, Skowronski found a new location, this one in Burns Square, which opened this winter. The move meant changes for the boutique—a bigger space, an expanded customer base and slightly different offerings. Because of zip code protection, Skowronski had to deviate from some of the brands she previously sold. “Some of the brands that I carried out there, I couldn’t carry down here,” says Skowronski. “It’s kind of like reinventing ourselves, but staying true to what we do and who we are.”

The larger space brought in a new challenge for Skowronski: a kitchen area. “I’d always been a clothing buyer, so I had a bit of a hard time figuring out what to do with it. People kept coming back to buy the stuff that I had on the shelves though, which were just decorations, so I thought to make it a more shoppable area for customers,” says Skowronski. “I feel like it will evolve back here—we might start selling glassware, but right now we have fragrances and candles and things like that.”

Modern Soul Boutique, 1533 Dolphin St., Sarasota, 34236, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, 941-413-5306

Owner Holly Skowronski in Modern Soul Boutique. Provided photo.

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