Dayna Mance of Prism Boutique
Dayna Mance is certifiably cool. A champion of brand discovery, she hosts an eclectic and inclusive community of brands, artists, and customers that make Prism Boutique unique. Dayna knows the importance of an intentional retail environment — from promoting emerging designers, connecting with people in Prism locations in Belmont Heights and an upcoming pop-up at Mojave Flea, to generating a vibrant community on socials.
After running point on store openings at Urban Outfitters Inc for 10 years, a learning experience which she dubbed her “business bootcamp,” Dayna knew it was time to go and pursue her dream of opening up her own boutique where she could promote brands and makers she loved. Now, Prism is about to celebrate 10 years in business — from a flagship on a sleepy street in Belmont Heights to a globally recognized brand itself.
A WORTHY DISCOVERY: Dayna has always been tapped into emerging talent.
NAME: Dayna Mance
CITY: Long Beach, CA
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL BOUTIQUE BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP: Well it’s certainly been an ever changing journey in the last nine years! Challenges and surprises around every bend. I started very small and have always been self funded, so each year we have grown and the business has evolved. We expanded into a second space and a third space in our Long Beach location in the first three years. We have had various pop up shops, events and had a second location in Costa Mesa that closed during the pandemic shutdown in 2020. So there have been setbacks within the growth, but I learned something from each of them. I couldn’t do it without an amazing team of support behind me.
A FEW INGREDIENTS IN YOUR MERCHANDISING SECRET SAUCE: I only buy products for Prism that I LOVE and envision our customer wearing, putting in her home, or giving as a gift. I try to stock lots of different categories like jewelry, shoes, accessories, handmade ceramics, vintage one of a kind, beautiful books, home decor, etc. I try to offer a balance of price points and also brands you recognize and ones you don’t. I am always on the lookout for artists and small up and coming brands. We love to make it all work together and tell a story in the boutique. It's so fun to come in and see it all beautifully put together.
YOU RECENTLY OPENED TERRACASA HIGH DESERT — A YUCCA MESA VACATION RENTAL REPLETE WITH SHOPPABLE GOODS AVAILABLE AT PRISM BOUTIQUE. TELL US ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE! We bought a fixer home in July 2020 after dreaming of it, lots of offers and visiting the high desert for many years. The property is almost three acres and has 360 degree views, but the house was in terrible condition. It took a year to remodel it with countless trips to meet the contractor and get the products and furnishings out to the house. But it slowly came together and it’s been a short term rental business since last fall. Designing and decorating the house was sooo fun! I used a lot of vintage and artists that I stock at Prism. Check out the website and shoppable goods here. I also have a small boutique in Yucca Valley inside a larger concept called Mojave Flea, only ten minutes from the house!
HOW YOU KEEP THE PRISM COMMUNITY COMING BACK: In the boutique we do this through genuine customer service and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. We throw parties and pop-up events monthly, which is a great excuse for our customers to come out and hang with us. Our vendors and guests at these events become our friends and community. Social media and our newsletters are a great way we keep our customer in the loop about what we believe in and stock at the boutique. We love to share our curation and community on these platforms too.
THE VALUES THAT DRIVE YOU AS A BUSINESSPERSON AND CREATIVE: Hard work, consistency, thinking ahead, passion, a love for curating, gratitude, sustainability, positive attitude, and a smile. I love to share about, encourage, and build up small women-owned brands. I love our customers and the community around the boutique fulfills me.
YOUR GO-TO SUMMER LOOK: Ooh I have been wearing a lot of easy throw on dresses, Hunza bathing suits, and light loose trousers plus some fun sunglasses and a cute hat!
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