Our Story

I always knew I wanted to be in the fashion industry. As a child growing up in Mississippi, I had a passion for fashion. I wanted to be a fashion designer, but I could barely sketch stick people. When I was in high school, I became very interested in being a buyer for a department store, Macy’s, of course. In fact, I have been in the world of retailing since I was 16! My first job at a store was at Kay Jewelers. Unfortunately, I accidentally gave someone the wrong diamond ring out of the cleaner. Somehow, I did not get fired. But it wasn’t exactly the exciting fashion job I had dreamed of.

My mom and grandmother were my biggest encouragers. They made me believe I could accomplish that dream. I am sure they even told me my stick figures were the best they had ever seen! They sent me on to the University of Alabama. It was there that I earned a degree in Fashion Retailing and Marketing. After graduation, my adventures began.

Fast forward to 1997. I shared a cubicle with a guy that I would marry 6 months later. We learned many valuable lessons and gained experience working for that company. He shared my vision of one day owning our own business. We have worked side by side every day since 1997.  

Living out both of our dreams, we started our own company in June of 2000. The month after we had our first child. Steven had a vision that we should start a website selling fashion accessories. It sounded crazy to me at first! He is really the brains behind our business for sure.  We had a one car garage for a warehouse. Our first trip to Market, we had our son in a pouch as we shopped. Nothing was perfect or professional, but God blessed us with customers immediately and friends that helped with the business. We have grown and moved several times. But our small town family values remain the same, 21 years later. 

To let you know a little about our family values, we’re Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. We close at 5 pm so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our warehouse closed on Sundays, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest. Our employees are like family to us.  Some of them have been with us 17 out of 21 years.  They have babysat our kids.  And we welcomed their babies into our family.  This is truly a family business.

eWAM Boutique is now Howdy Honey. Our office and warehouse is in Hueytown, AL. This is where we have raised our family of 3 boys.  The oldest is graduating from the University of Alabama soon.  The middle is starting his sophomore year at UA .  The baby will be a junior in high school.  This is where my husband, Steven and I, still work side by side.  You can see the warehouse off to the right of the horses.  Yes, we have horses to visit on our lunch break!

There are so many online boutiques to choose from and we know that.  It's my hope that you see a difference in Howdy Honey.  Our goal is to offer you a BIG selection of quality products at an affordable price.  Customers are often blown away when we defy "you get what you pay for".  Our new website offers an enjoyable shopping experience.  However, if you call in to place your order, you will talk to a REAL person here in the USA.

Are we perfect?  No.  We are human.  Can we please everyone?  We wish.  But still being in business after 21 years, we have lived up to the expectations our customers deserve.  I hope you will be next!

Serving You,

Shannon Roper