Meet Theresa Dunn | Serape Bleu Founder

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

Hi Theresa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My husband and I instantly fell in love with Wickenburg when we visited for a month in 2013 and within a week purchased a winter home here. In 2018 we decided to move here full-time and I could see the need for year-round shopping options here. The Historic Downtown had always closed during the hot summer months, but what about those of us who live here full-time? The visitors who come to Wickenburg to “get out of the heat” since our climate is a little cooler than the valley? The downtown streets literally looked like a ghost town to me. So with no retail background but plenty of shopping experience, I decided to open Serape Bleu in 2019, just 4 months before COVID hit. But the support that this small but mighty town gave our local businesses was amazing and just reassured me that opening the boutique was worth the risk. I am very passionate about providing a year-round quality shopping to Wickenburg residents and visitors but most importantly, providing outstanding customer service with a bold range of fashion and gift options. Everyone who works at Serape Bleu has that same enthusiasm and I believe the growth and success of our store has ignited the growth of existing and new Wickenburg businesses.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always worked long hours and more than a five-day work week. If you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work although you do have to find balance between your personal and professional life. That has probably been my biggest challenge my whole life. I opened Serape Bleu to offer a carefully curated selection of clothing and gift lines that include a variety of styles and budgets, all with a little western flair. I committed to being open year-round, seven days a week, except for being closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I continue to work to energize Wickenburg’s historic downtown and be a shopping destination for our residents and visitors. And I strive to make our customers feel special when shopping at Serape Bleu and give them the service I would expect. I have stuck to this simple business plan since day one and it has proved to be a good one.

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.
Some of my favorite things to see and experience in Wickenburg are the pastries at Buttermilk & Honey bakery, the BLT at Capital Farms, small shops downtown like Pottery B, Ben’s Saddlery and the new Basil & Lane Boutique, the unique weavings and jewelry at Sage Gallery, the gorgeous view at Jake’s Spoon, the exhibits at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, watch team roping at Rancho Rio, and ending the evening with a prickly pear margarita and a sweet serenade at Rancho de Los Caballeros

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Since opening, I have been lucky to have amazing employees and some of our stylists still work at Serape Bleu since we opened four years ago. In a time with finding employees is a challenge, I have been blessed by the most incredible team. But what also has really made an impact is the support of Wickenburg and our loyal customers. I strongly believe in giving back to our community and Serape Bleu has been fortunate to be able to donate significant money and time to our local community organizations. Being on the board of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum and a member of their auxiliary Las Senoras de Socorro, a Chairman’s Circle Member of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, concert sponsor at the Del E. Webb Center, and Wickenburg Community Hospital fundraising supporter, as well as many others, has introduced us to so many wonderful people and they in turn have supported Serape Bleu in so many ways.

Website: www.serapebleu.com

Instagram: @serapebleu

Facebook: serapebleu

Image Credits
Travis Eaton Photography Kalee Taylor Photography