Shepherd University alumna Paula Jackson stands by the counter of her shop, the Proud Peacock Boutique, in Williamsport, Md. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — After graduating from Shepherd College in 1982, Shepherdstown native Paula Jackson began working in the retail business and, during that time, began dreaming of owning her own retail space.

A little over a year ago she finally achieved that dream, opening the Proud Peacock Boutique at 1 North Conococheague Street in Williamsport, Md.

“I’m in my second year — it will be two years in October,” Jackson said. “Now, I’m in the second phase for my business. The first phase was focused on getting it open, getting it running, getting to know my customers and building my client base. This next phase is all about holding pop-up shops.”

Four pop-up shops, featuring a wide selection of women’s clothing and accessories, will be featured at each of them. However, Jackson noted that each pop-up shop will be unique, featuring items curated for the spaces and potential customers they will be serving.

“I have customers who tell me all of the time, online, that they’ve heard about my store and want to get there, to check out my merchandise, but they find it difficult to make the trip,” Jackson said, mentioning she does some sales over her store’s Facebook page.

Her first pop-up shop will be held tomorrow at Williamsport Retirement Village. Another one, on Sept. 13, will be a multi-vendor event in the ballroom at Hotel 620 in Hagerstown, Md. The remaining two pop-ups, however, will be held in her hometown.

“Being raised in Shepherdstown, I have a lot of my church family there, as well as my friends and former teachers, who may not have the chance to get to Williamsport,” Jackson said. “This is my way of bringing Proud Peacock to them.”

On Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Proud Peacock Boutique will hold a pop-up shop in Evolve, located at 100 West German Street.

“I will have clothing for sizes small to 3X. I will have clothing and accessories there, such as shoes, handbags and jewelry,” Jackson said.

Customers will be able to try on clothing in the temporary changing room that will be set up in Evolve, so they can be confident of the items they are purchasing. They can also be without doubt over the fashionability of their clothing, as that is something Jackson places a high priority on with her merchandising decisions.

“My pop-up shop will feature items that will work for today’s woman,” Jackson said. “Today’s women want to feel good about themselves, but they also want to look good. Today’s woman doesn’t want to be underdressed, but doesn’t want to be overdressed, either. Whether they’re going out to do errands or to go to work, they just want to feel good about what they have on.”

Her second Shepherdstown pop-up will be a multi-vendor event in the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center at Shepherd on Nov. 15, from 2-6 p.m., highlighting dozens of businesses founded by Shepherd alumni.

To learn more about Proud Peacock Boutique, visit it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/proudpeacockboutique/.