Channel Theory Boutique

Upscale and wealth best defined Channel Theory Boutique.  Makeup, skin care products, and beauty accessories were exclusive to Channel Theory Boutique.  Gift cards were offered but began at a rate of $300...requests for anything less were rarely accepted.  The atmosphere was young, sophisticated, and with a hint of pure class.  Overhead music reflected the atmosphere and did not dominate the experience.  Large poster images of models wearing the makeup or skin care products were prominently placed in the window displays.  Channel Theory Boutique  offered personalized tutorials on how best to use the products for free with every $500 or more spent in purchase.  Beauty accessories began in the $50 range and up.  Skin care products began in the $100 range and up.  Makeup was the most prized inventory line and what defined the boutique.  Therefore, all makeup products began in the hundreds of dollars range...being exclusive and upscale, the cost seemed justified.  Of course, Channel Theory Boutique was the first stop in a long line of upscale and wealthy boutiques and department stores.

She only wore makeup for special occasions, such as dates or interviews.  She felt too young to be concerned about skin care (outside the obvious need for sunblock in any season).  She did have a mirror compact bought at a local drugstore, so beauty accessories directly linked to makeup were again not of interest.  Her mother on the other hand adored makeup and beauty accessories, especially for work.

She was financially independent through employment during school semester breaks.  She earned just above minimum wage but was nonetheless thrilled with every payday because the employment was naturally temporary.

All of her classes were in the heart of downtown.  She aced her mid-terms exams and was allowed a pass on the finals because of her stellar mid-terms.  The only requirement for every student in her classes was to come in for an end of term discussion on what could be taken away from what was learned.  In the end, she was free to leave.

Channel Theory Boutique was mere blocks away from her campus.  On one gorgeous sunny day in crisp Autumn weather, she boldly walked to the boutique after her class, hesitated for a moment at the door, opened the door, and entered as casually as possible.  She hoped to blend in...

...She did not.  She looked like a typical college student with no reason to glam up, especially with upscale and wealthy makeup products.  Why, in all seriousness, would she belong - naturally - in a boutique such as this?

Her mother's birthday was coming up and she was saving all of her paychecks to buy something special.  They were not rich.  They were middle to upper-class and still could never afford a place like Channel Theory Boutique.  She, however, was bound and determined to buy something special for her mother to, on her one day, feel upscale, wealthy, and exclusive.

"Hello.  How may I help you?" asked one of the sales consultants in what sounded harsh in tone.

"Hi.  Um, I would like to purchase a gift card for my mother.  Her birthday is coming up and she is a makeup fanatic, so I thought I would go the gift card route to let her pick out what she wants." She nervously laughed at her nervous tone.

The sales consultant smiled at the kind gesture, but somehow lacked sincere meaning.

"Well, a gift card for your mother's birthday sounds great.  Does she like Channel Theory products?"

"Absolutely!" She knew her mother liked Channel Theory products but was intimidated by the hefty price tags.  The tone behind her exclamation was meant to impress the sales consultant in a pretend way.

"Great.  Good to know.  Well, our gift cards start at $300.  Is this cost okay with you?  Can you go up...since your mother loves our products so much?"

I don't plan on pursuing your upselling, lady, she thought to herself.

"Okay, in all honesty, I can only afford $100.  Is this cost okay with you?" A direct shot at the sales consultant's degrading tone.

The sales consultant caught on pretty quickly but as it just so happened, she needed more commissions to reach her expected monthly quota.  And so...

"Of course, you can pay $100 for the gift card."

After the checkout process and getting ready to leave as soon as possible, she was sincerely left with,

"I hope your mother has a wonderful birthday."

She sincerely smiled, thanked the sales consultant for the kind wish, and left.


Her mother was speechless when she received her gift card.

"I get to shop in Channel Theory Boutique?!"

"Yes, yes, yes!  Happy Birthday, Mom!"

Her mother could not wait to spend her gift card.  The two headed downtown the next day and, by surprise, was greeted by the same sales consultant in a more pleasant manner.  She guided the two around the boutique and offered suggestions on what best to spend the card on based on responses to questions she asked throughout the guide.

Her mother was giddy and could not help but spend a little over the gift card price.

"Channel Theory Boutique is having a sale one week from today - half off clearance items.  Stop on by!"

Mother and daughter planned to do just that.

Channel Theory Boutique was perhaps more possible than they thought.