Teresa Skrgatic is the co-owner of Jaguar Shoes which operates a small fashion boutique, No-One, as well as a Bar and exhibition space, and The Old Shoreditch Station cafe-bar. No-One is based in the Shoreditch area of London, and has been stocking international leaders in fashion, such as Via Snella. The store also sources from local based talent, and is the stomping ground for style-savvy individuals within the Shoreditch area.

Whats your name, where are you from and what do you do?

Teresa Skrgatic, from Essex (yeah yeah I know!) I am co-owner of JAGUAR SHOES which includes no-one shop, dreambagsjaguarshoes bar and exhibition space and The Old shoreditch Station cafe-bar.

How did the beginnings of the store come about, what was the drive to make it work?

When we opened dreambagsjaguarshoes at 32 Kinglsand Road, London, E2 A we wanted it to be a bar, exhibition space and retail outlet but as it became more successful as a bar, we found the retail aspect impossible. So, we decided to open the shop and cafe within the Old Shoreditch Station building at 1 Kingsland Rd, E2 8AA. It offered the same buzzy, social atmosphere but it allowed the shop to operate independently. We stocked clothes, artwork, toys that we liked and clothes that our friends made.

Within the area, how well was it received at first?  Did you find it hard to build up that faithful customer base?

We were really well received in the first place.It was great in the beginning, really raw and buzzing. It was all built on a serious shoe-string budget but people could see we were creative and young and trying to do something different. That was about 8 years ago. From then on, we had to learn the industry and made alot of mistakes along the way. We have a loyal cutomer base now because we have been here a long time, we really support new talent and we keep things genuine and fresh. We really really try to stay true to our roots.

What is it that you love about your area, do you have a big sense of pride in the locality?

I am really really proud of the locality. Shoreditch is/ was amazing. The people are the best, particularly in our bit of Kingsland Road which is a bit more down to earth. We live and work in a little bubble I think! When I occasionally find myself in a chain-filled shopping centre somewhere, it reminds me how lucky we are to live/ work in such a creative, inspiring community. The web is so great for that too. If you are living out of London and feeling uninspired, you can go online and get a taste of what is out there- like Farfetch.com (we are a part of this brilliant website that unites some of the worlds best independent boutiques).

What have you got going on at the moment, any interesting projects for 2010?

We will be pushing forward with our retail website www.no-one.co.uk and farfetch.com. We will be evolving our collaborative JaguarShoes merchandise which includes illustrated t-shirts, limited edition prints, and illustrated plates and mugs. Plus we will be promoting and enjoying the amazing traditional Sardinian pizza and pastas that we now serve at dreambagsjaguarshoes all day. You can get lunch for £5 and it is delicous!

There will also be some amazing parties, events and exhibitions. Keep updated at www.jaguarshoes.com

For people interested in starting up an independent retail venue, what would you tell them that you wish you’d known back when you opened?

Dont try to do everything at once, it will all come together but it takes much much longer than you think.

What have been the absolute high points of the store?

The opening was a buzz! It’s also the best feeling to get nice feedback from customers. It makes what you are doing worthwhile.Celebrities shopping in the store and good press has been great too.

With us being just a little way into the new year, looking ahead, what do you want to have accomplished by the end of this year?

Hmmm, I am still working on my new year plan of action! Watch this space…

Head over to No-One and show them some love!