Peddling her wares

Leann Powell is a mother, adventurer and entrepreneur. The longtime Chicoan is an experienced business owner, but she recently decided to switch things up by operating a pop-up clothing boutique. The vibrantly colored designs she offers are distinctive of a technique known as “reverse tie-dye.” According to Powell, there is a special process her supplier has perfected that prevents the bright colors from fading, as many of the more common home-dyed fabrics do. She gives credit to her Cambodia-based supplier for most of the merchandise—including shirts, skirts, hoodies, pants, you name it—but says that she’s also been working to create her own designs. Powell currently sets up shop at her house and she’s working on a website. By appointment only, she transforms her home into a boutique for her customers—complete with a dressing room. For more info, call 518-8883 or send The Peddler’s Closet a message on Facebook, where you also can spy Powell’s latest offerings.

What inspired you to start selling tie-dye?

I found my first piece of this clothing at a small boutique and purchased another piece a year later. I wanted more and was unable to find it locally. I sought after the original creator, and I told him that I wanted to bring these amazing dyes to Chico. He was elated! He only has clothing made twice a year and … I have been fortunate enough to be one of the few to work with him here in the U.S.

What were you doing before you started this venture?

My husband and I own two other businesses, so he’s able to support me in this. We own a janitorial company with about 25 employees that work for us, and then we have a granite business. Between the two of those, he stays very busy. He’s like, “You’re gonna do this?” and I’m like, “Yeah, why not?”

How did you come up with the name of your boutique?

Honestly, it just kind of came to me. I’ve always liked the term “peddler,” which is basically a person who travels from town to town selling random small items. A lot of people have a misconception about the term, thinking it means drug trafficker or dealer, when really I’m aiming for the more traditional meaning.

How do you price your items?

I wanted to keep it affordable, so I start out at about $25 and my most expensive item is $75, which is my jacket (pictured). I was trying to keep everything between $25 and $65, but a jacket this large and intricate is bound to be a bit more pricey. I’ve had people come up to me and say I could be charging a lot more, but I want to keep the prices as low as possible.