By Noah Alatza
Westfield resident Marcia Utley said her prospects of opening her own business date back to 2004, and now those prospects are reality. Utley opened Home Couture July 1 at 14511 Clay Terrace Blvd., Suite 100, in Carmel’s Clay Terrace shopping mall.
In 2004, Utley was a pharmaceutical sales representative but felt like she was missing something.
“I worked in the medical industry for quite some time,” she said. “But I never really felt like I was helping as I should be.”
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Utley’s perspective and trajectory on life changed, which led her to open Home Couture.
“I stayed stuck in the security of the job I had at the time, because of health benefits, etc.,” she said. “After my diagnosis and several rounds of chemo, I thought to myself, ‘If I leave this earth not feeling like I had accomplished what I wanted to do, I could not live with myself.’ One of my main efforts in this store is giving back to the community.”
Home Couture features work by several local artists, including woodworkers on the westside of Indianapolis and a local 16-year-old self-taught painter who designs cards and wall artwork. The store offers pieces of home decor, almost all handmade.
“Opening up a business is really scary,” Utley said. “But each piece is a unique and one-of-a-kind. People definitely don’t see this everywhere.”
Utley said 10 percent of the profits will go to her church, Grace Community Church, while another 10 percent will go to charity. Utley encourages any local artist, service member or anyone who has a gift for arts and wants to sell their items to contact her at [email protected] or to visit the store.
“I personally try out every piece of furniture before it’s sold,” Utley said. “I have to know it will be functional for all of my customers.”
An online web shop and site are still in the works and should be completed by mid-month.
