PopUp Republic

Interview with Laura Layton, Owner of Tin Lizzy Mobile Boutique

Tin lizzy is a 1997 Grumman Step Van given a new life as a traveling shop specializing in fair trade, ethically and locally made apparel, accessories and gifts. Tin Lizzy travels the Mid-Atlantic region, setting up shop at festivals, markets, on the side of the road, and wherever customers want to shop.

Tin Lizzy is owned and operated by small business lover, Laura Layton. Laura is passionate about knowing where goods come from, telling the stories behind the merchandise she sells, and creating unique shopping experiences. 

• Q: Did you have a background in retail and/or fashion?

  Yes. I graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in fashion merchandising and leadership. I always had dreams of opening my own boutique and being a small business owner. I have worked various retail jobs from a young age, but after college I started working for fair trade retailers and non-profits because I realized that’s the type of retail I was most interested in. While I felt as prepared as I could be to open my business, there are so many things you just have to learn along the way. 

• Q: How did you end up taking the route you chose, namely, a fashion truck? When did it first start? How much time do you spend on the business?

  I originally wrote a business plan for a brick-and-mortar boutique with the same concept as my truck—all fair trade, ethically made goods—but I had a lot of reservations. A long-term lease frightened ...