Geologist finds a new calling as boutique owner

Moda Bella woman’s boutique in downtown Port Washington recently changed hands.

Former environmental consultant Nikki Dudei took over the reins of the clothing store at 215 N. Franklin St. from Michele Piechowski on Jan. 1.

“I’m not a super fashion pro yet. I’m a geologist and I’m kind of a dork. I get my fashion sense from studying,” Dudei said. “I’ve been wanting to own a small-business for awhile and this was too perfect not to do.” 

The boutique has been in downtown Port Washington for four and a half years. Piechowski said she considered selling the business to a longtime customer in September, but the initial deal fell through.

“It wasn’t really planned until I had an offer to purchase the business by a customer around Labor Day, but she pulled out at the last minute when she showed her husband the paperwork the day before,” Piechowski said.

As a first-time business owner, Dudei said she is up to the challenge and Piechowski is remaining on board for the time being to show Dudei the ropes.

“It’s been a huge transition. It would have been a scarier challenge for me if Michele wasn’t so gracious to stay on with me. She’s helped me learn about all the different lines we work with and we’re going to a fashion show in Chicago at the end of the month,” she said. “My life has completely changed in a good way. I’m not going to an office from nine to five anymore. It’s been a very smooth transition.”

Dudei was a project manager for an environmental consulting firm in Milwaukee for several years and said running a business is similar to her past experience.

“With project management, each project is like its own little business. We would go to contaminated sites and figure out how to fix them,” Dudei said. “Although it’s not directly applicable, I feel that I have enough knowledge and wherewithal to be able to do it.”

She said she plans on developing an online ordering component for the store and expand the clothing lines. Dudei wants to eventually hire an employee to help her manage the business.

“Obviously, with any new owner there will be some changes. I hope to expand the style palette, but continue the same mantra, which is easy to wear and maintain and made in the U.S.,” Dudei said. “I really want to keep it a broad palette. There are all different types of people in Port and the people who visit have all different styles. I want to have something for everybody.” 

Dudei said she has been shopping at the store since it opened in August 2015 and said she was sad when she learned it might close.

“That broke my heart a little bit, so here I am,” she said. “I didn’t want to see it close, especially being in the middle of Franklin Street with a big glass front.”

Piechowski said it was finally time to leave the retail business after taking care of her late father who was in poor health for the last 15 years. 

She said she plans on traveling “around the world” and rebranding a mobile art company she used to run out of the store after hours.

“It’s more like entertainment art to bring people together. I’m not an artist, I’m more of a hobbyist, but I enjoy team building around art with companies, civic groups like Boy Scout troops and senior communities,” she said.

Piechowski said she will miss seeing her loyal customers but plans on remaining in touch.

“My customers were my life for the past four and a half years and I hope to keep most of them in my life through wine and coffee dates and art classes,” she said. “They are lifelong friends and I want to thank them for all the support they have given me.”