A place where goodness prevails

Kate Falconer wants Phat Angel to be a store that anyone can walk into and feel good

Kate Falconer, purveyor of all things girly, funky and cool, stands in her boutique, Phat Angel. — Colin Payne photo

Established in 2006, Phat Angel is a women’s boutique with attitude. Phat Angel, situated on Baker Street in Nelson, sells all manner of funky, girly goods as well as cool gifts, accessories and equipment for roller skating and roller derby.

“Phat Angel is a feminist establishment,” said owner Kate Falconer. “I try to bring messages of equality, empowerment and open-mindedness. I want the store to be a place anyone can walk into and feel good—good about themselves and who they are, or simply from a good laugh to brighten their day. For teenage girls, I like to carry books on body image and self-esteem, as well as books with a tongue-in-cheek approach to everyday situations.”

We caught up with Falconer, one of our 2011 Best of Business award winners, to ask her about her business and her inspirations.

Number of years in business: 5

Tell us about your community involvement. Phat Angel sells Café Feminino on behalf of the Nelson Women’s Centre (NWC), and 100 per cent of the proceeds from coffee sales go back to the NWC. This coffee company was created by women in Peru who are united by their determination to empower their lives through producing their own coffee. Phat Angel has also spread its wings further this year and opened up a roller skating rink at Playmor Junction. Roller skating has become a wonderful family weekend activity and the rink also provides practice space for most of the West Kootenay Women’s Roller Derby League teams.    

What is your favourite downtime activity? Reading, or perhaps watching a good show that makes me laugh.    

Who has inspired you and why? My mom inspires me. She works hard and loves every minute of it. My dad too; he likes to say, "You have to try things, whether you like them or not. That way, at least you can discuss it."

These days, Lady Gaga inspires me too. She has some great messages that are very self-loving and empowering—though I’m sure many would debate me on that one. Let your freak flag fly!    

What lessons have you learned along the way? Always do the best you can. Then you have nothing to worry about. And try not to take things personally—they rarely are.    

Name one of your must-read books. This is the hardest question to answer—there are so many great books. But I recently read Molok’ai by Alan Brennert in my book club. It’s about the leper colonies in Hawaii in the early 20th century, where people with leprosy were sent to live out their lives.     

What is your favourite part of your workday? Hearing people laugh.    

What is your favourite Kootenay getaway? Any hot spring  

What are you most proud of? I pride myself on bringing a shopping experience to my store. I want people to get actual "retail therapy" from Phat Angel. I want to have an environment where people leave feeling happy and it carries them through the rest of their day. And I think it’s working.

I’m most proud of my kids and being a good mom. It’s truly the toughest yet most rewarding job in the world. On a business level, I’m proud of Phat Angel’s success, as well as the love and support I feel from the community. When I hear someone walk by and say "oh, that’s my favourite store," I feel it for days.