From Vision to Vibe: Autumn Clayton on Building Covet, Arlington’s Favorite Gift Shop

In this episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with the vibrant and inspiring Autumn Clayton, founder of Covet, a beloved neighborhood gift boutique in Arlington, Virginia. From her early days exploring little shops as a child to becoming the heartbeat behind one of Arlington’s most adored retail spaces, Autumn shares the scrappy, heartfelt, and creative journey that brought her dream to life.

She opens up about building Covet without a business plan, trusting her gut, surviving the early years and COVID, and investing in the next generation of young women who work alongside her. Whether you're dreaming of launching a small business, building something creative from the ground up, or just love a good underdog story—this one's for you.

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Key Discussion Points:

• [01:16] Childhood love for small shops and her early dream of owning one
• [02:34] From college dropout to art director for major clients like Disney & Discovery
• [05:52] How a spontaneous call from a mom-friend sparked the Covet dream
• [08:48] Launching the shop with only $5,000—and without telling their husbands!
• [09:25] Persevering solo after her co-founder stepped away
• [11:10] The power of industry experience and learning through action
• [13:11] Balancing motherhood, retail seasons, and self-doubt
• [15:24] Autumn’s go-to self-talk and how she embraces slow seasons with grace
• [17:44] Opening day, snowstorms, and the joy of seeing the dream become real
• [19:56] Encouragement to young women: trust your vibe, trust your vision
• [21:46] Small retail vs. restaurants—why shops like Covet deserve the spotlight
• [22:18] Thinking outside the box (and letting it spill over)
• [23:52] Mentoring young women who work at Covet and creating a legacy

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Notable Quotes:

• “I didn’t write a business plan. I didn’t take out loans. I just said yes and jumped.”
• “Put one foot in front of the other. Just say yes. I love an adventure.”
• “Small shops like this are the soul of the neighborhood.”
• “You don’t have to be busy every single day to be successful.”
• “Let the box spill over a little. That’s where the creativity lives.”

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Takeaways:

• You don’t need to do everything “by the book” to build a successful business
• Trust your gut and aesthetic—people connect with personality-driven spaces
• Support systems (family, community, co-founders) are vital, especially early on
• Every dream has slow seasons—resilience means weathering them with hope
• The legacy we leave is often in the lives we touch along the way

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Connect with Guest:

• Website: www.covetinarlington.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/2covet
• Instagram: @covet_arlington
• Email: [e-mail]

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Connect with Us:

• Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher
• Stay updated: www.fanaticaldreamher.com
• Email April: [e-mail]

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