Fernanda and Vivien Bohme: success from humble beginnings.

• Author: Springer, Alex
• Position: Around Utah

In 2008, Bohme Boutique launched with one storefront in Orem's University Mall. Now, sisters Fernanda and Vivien Bohme have overseen the development of locations in nearly every local mall as well as the expansion of their business into several other states, effectively molding Bohme Boutique into a company that can compete on a national level.

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Though the Bohme sisters have created a thriving clothing company that continues to expand, they have not forgotten the humble beginnings that instilled them with a drive and passion to achieve success.

When Vivien and Fernanda were young, their family immigrated to the United States from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They spent their afternoons and evenings helping their parents clean offices to make ends meet. The family had only a modest income, so the sisters grew up accustomed to second-hand clothing.

Vivien says this scarcity gave her a desire for a store where women could find apparel that was both fashionable and affordable. By 2006, the sisters started designing and manufacturing the clothing that they wanted to see in stores.

Their first foray into the clothing industry was not without its setbacks. Before the construction of their University Mall location was complete, the sisters were unable to continue paying their contractor. Rather than letting this obstacle derail their plans, Fernanda and Vivien--who was seven months pregnant at the time--took over construction duties themselves. This turned into a blessing in disguise as the sisters were able to...