Meet Ralph London | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ralph London and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ralph, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business, Betty Jeffries, in 2012. My mother, and store’s namesake, had recently passed and the business was in honor of her and a way for me to remember her. I had worked for a decade in the fashion industry and creating my own line and brand was always a dream of mine since I was young. After a few years of my then clothing line not performing as well as I wanted in local stores, I decided to open a mobile boutique. I renovated a 60sq ft box truck into a tiny store on wheels and took my shop practically everywhere. The truck really helped launch my brand and get my store in front of lots of folks.
I then transitioned to a mall store for several years while maintaining the mobile boutique. After about two years there, an opportunity opened up in Madison, Indiana and I decided to move my store there. Since opening in Madison in 2018, I have expanded Betty Jeffries to offer a wide array of women’s apparel and accessories. And in 2021, I opened, our men’s shop James Dell a block away.
My husband quit his corporate job of 16 years that same year and joined me full time. We have since become a pretty dynamic duo.

What should our readers know about your business?
I began my fascination with retail and the fashion industry at a very young age. I grew up in my aunt’s dress shop and there fell in love with the business. My business today has evolved over the years and it surely wasn’t easy. I always like to remind people of the path my business has been on. It has taken over a decade for my business to land where it is now. In order to overcome years of challenges, I determined early on it was imperative to stay current and always listen to my customer. I would say, that has been my greatest success. Listen to the customer, accept their feedback, and adjust the business accordingly. I would love the world to know that my brand and story are deeply personal. When I started the store, it was an opportunity for me to say my mom’s name often after her passing. Every step taken since the beginning is calculated with every customer in mind. I am always looking at my business through the lens of my customer. And the values my mom held are clearly on display in my shop. Our appreciation for our customers and community is evident every single day and I take nothing for granted.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Madison is such a vibrant small town. We are the nation’s largest Contiguous National Historic Landmark District so there is plenty to do during your visit. We house the most unique, one of a kind family owned shops and restaurants, Hinkle’s is a must eat diner that has been around for generations. We have tasty wineries, specialty restaurants, and the best shopping in Indiana.
My favorite go to spot is the Ohio Theatre. See a classic movie in this newly restored theatre.
Stay in one of Madison’s brand new boutique hotel and head down to the riverfront to enjoy music, boating, and the beautiful Ohio river.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to an entire list of folks. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today with all the support from others. First, my husband, Justin has been my biggest fan from day one. He has always encouraged me to dream and allowed me to pursue those dreams.
My high school business teacher, Mrs. Polson greatly impacted my path as well. I don’t think anyone believed in me as much as she did. Her guidance over the years definitely set me up to be a winner.
And lastly, my family. My parents had to be the absolute best parents on the planet. They instilled many great values in me that continue to be a recipe for success.

Website: Www.bettyjeffries.com

Instagram: @shopbettyjeffries

Facebook: @shopbettyjeffries