EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an on-going series of business features sponsored by the Economic Development Council of Tillamook County’s LEVEL UP Tillamook program. Have a suggestion for a small business feature? Send us an email with your ideas editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net.
By Laura Swanson
Nancy Horning exudes positivity, and she openly shares it with others, especially the women that come into her store in Pacific City – Lucky Beach Boutique. “It really is just like hanging out with my best girl friends every day,” Horning said, as she greets a local woman with a compliment and a smile. The other woman blushes and thanks her, not really knowing how to accept the gracious compliment. That’s what Nancy Horning is setting out to do – empower women to feel good about themselves all the time. “Even with all the ‘movements’, women aren’t being heard in the moment,” she continued, “It’s all about joy, not a hard sell. I want people to come into Lucky Beach and find something that makes them feel good about themselves.”
Six years ago, Nancy found herself in Pacific City, and she looked around the tourist town and saw a missing niche. “There wasn’t anything for women,” she noted. Her diverse background – jack-of-all-trades — including some time in retail (as well the Navy), and as a single mother to four kids, she’d always had a love for business. The store, named for her Uncle Lucky, who helped raise her kids, she is so grateful to be in this coastal town. “Pacific City is very business friendly, and I’m living out my dreams,” Nancy smiles. A loan from the EDCTC helped her acquire inventory and expand the store during the pandemic when a larger space became available.
That now also includes a second store, Fiddlesticks Toys, which started out as a corner area in Lucky Beach Boutique; then when a space opened up in November 2023 in the Shops at the Village where Lucky Beach is located Fiddlesticks expanded. “I have grandkids, and who doesn’t love toys? Especially the classics,” said Nancy, “And my customers are in the same age group and all the families that visit here, so I knew that it would be a hit.” Lucky Beach appeals to a wide demographic – it’s fun and vibrant, for the young and young at heart. “I’m a people watcher, I pay attention to what people wear,” explained Nancy. “And how they look.”
A big part of Nancy’s job is modeling the behavior. “I’ve had some really low points in my life when I didn’t believe in myself,” she shared. Not just advice for business owners, but for everyone, just being human, and acknowledging our personal weaknesses. “The biggest lesson is asking for help, and being more open to help,” she added. Often the number one failure for business owners is not asking for help and trying to do it all themselves.
“I couldn’t do it without them,” said Nancy about her employees, “I have the best people!” Each store has three employees, and Nancy has been “lucky” (ha – see what I did there) unlike other coastal business owners, she hasn’t had any problems with finding good help. “The exact opposite,” she said, “they’re reliable and we’re a team.”
Giving back to the community through fundraisers and events, Lucky Beach supports the local Mommy & Me program, the Nesko Women’s Club and other nonprofits. “I’m so lucky to be able to live out my dreams and have a sweet, simple life,” said Nancy. “I want to help change my community to help make this a better place.”
Her advice for new business owners: “Just go for it – over plan, and take baby steps to get to your goals. Keep moving forward. It’s way better than I imagined, as soon as I got out of my own way and trusted others to help. It’s going to be hard sometimes, but just keep moving. You got this!”
Pacific City is lucky to have Nancy Horning’s entrepreneurial spirit, gift for sharing positivity and joy. Lucky Beach Boutique and Fiddlesticks Toys are located at 34950 Brooten Road, in the Shops at the Village in Pacific City, open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Find them on Facebook or www.luckybeachboutique.com.
Economic Development Council of Tillamook County – Level Up program: http://www.edctc.com/levelup-tillamook