Bethany Strzempko Liquori started her fashion journey in 2020, by hitting the road with the Be Bella mobile boutique, traveling through Massachusetts and Connecticut, all the while picking up loyal customers.
Other female business owners began inviting Bethany to bring the Be Bella truck to their businesses. “That’s how I got started and became successful,” Bethany says.
The mobile boutique was a unique concept that allowed Bethany to bring her carefully curated fashion selections directly to her customers at private parties, festivals and pop ups.
As Bethany traveled from one location to another, she built strong relationships with her customers. She took the time to understand their individual styles and preferences, offering personalized recommendations and styling tips. This level of customer service created a sense of trust and loyalty among her clientele.
Many customers “dress head-to-toe” in Be Bella, says Bethany, and many of them have requests for certain styles. In fact, when Bethany goes to trade shows to shop for the coming season, she often has her customers’ tastes in mind.
While she loved the experience of bringing fashion on the road and outfitting women looking for unique style, Bethany found that most events were on nights and weekends. As the mom of six, including four boys, all of whom were playing soccer at the time, she did not want to miss their games. She knew if Be Bella was a brick-and-mortar store, she could hire employees and then be able to work her schedule around the boys’ soccer games.
In 2021, she found the perfect location on School Street in Westfield, and as the world emerged from the pandemic, the business took off. “We were so busy, we could not keep things in stock,” Bethany recalls.
She wanted the store to have the same vibe as the truck, but in a bigger space. Bethany created what she calls “a cool vibe with a good feeling.” She says visiting the store is about more than just shopping. “It has to be an experience,” she adds.
Just when business was booming and customers were coming to Be Bella for everything from athleisure wear to maxi dresses for wedding and special occasions, Bethany’s Westfield home was destroyed by a fire that started in an electric baseboard heater in the basement. Everything was lost, including the family’s two dogs, leaving the family homeless.
With the support of family, friends, and customers, Bethany remained the smiling face of Be Bella. She continued to model outfits in Facebook posts that drew comments from customers who wanted one in their size. After living in a trailer in her backyard for more than a year, the house is almost ready for Bethany and her family to move back in.
The fire, says Bethany, gave her a different perspective on life. She thought about what was truly important and forgot about her diamond bracelet and rings because her kid’s kindergarten papers and their Mother’s Day cards to her were what mattered. The fire burned the entire basement but did not touch bins with family photos. The rest of the house was damaged by smoke.
With the prospect of moving into her house again, and spring upon us, Bethany is excited about a fresh start, the colorful clothing and accessories in stock at Be Bella as well as the boutique’s expansion into space next door.
The new space has room for more merchandise and includes an area with a display of permanent jewelry. It also allows Bethany to host permanent jewelry events as well as other events.
If you’re ready to welcome spring with a new outfit, you’ll find sundresses, maxi dresses, floral prints, and jeans of all styles – especially wide leg jeans, tennis sneakers, and even cowboy boots.
“Cowboy boots are super in. People love the Nashville vibe, especially for girls’ trips,” Bethany says.
What else is in for spring and summer? “I feel like everything is in,” Bethany notes.
Be Bella Boutique
34 School Street
Westfield
413-278-3856
Bebellaboutique.com
Challenges are inevitable, but they don't define you - your response does. Adapt, persist, and turn setbacks into steppingstones. Whether in business or life, resilience and determination will push you forward. The key? Learn, adjust, and never stop moving.