Lara Leugs runs her boutique, Garbo Mode, with a clear mission: to make women shine. “My goal is to help women feel even more beautiful than they already are,” Lara explains. Her favorite slogan perfectly sums up her philosophy: “Clothes are not going to change the world. The women who wear them will.” She believes that fashion should above all empower women. “It all starts with a woman’s confidence,” she emphasizes. “Life is already challenging enough, so let’s be kinder to one another and work more as a team.”
From customer to colleague: a special team
The Garbo Mode team is anything but conventional. Lara selects her team members not just for their experience, but especially for their personality and commitment. “One of the ladies was originally a customer. Within five minutes, I knew: I want you on my team. She brought such positive energy, it lit up the whole room.” That customer, after a career in healthcare, now works at the store with great joy. “She used to do this alongside her job in healthcare, simply for the fun and fulfillment. Now that she’s retired, she’s fully back with us.”
Lara found her other colleague in a similarly unique way: “Just a week after my business partner announced she was starting a new adventure, this woman walked in. With her background in interior design and as a loyal customer, it was an instant match.” Lara sees her team as family: “We enjoy fun activities together, like drinks and dinners, but I also take them to trade fairs and buying appointments. Everyone gets space to contribute ideas and add their personal style.”
From Co-Owner to Solo Entrepreneur
After six years of running Garbo Mode with her business partner, Lara has been at the helm alone since January. This shift brings both challenges and fresh energy. “It can be a lot at times, but it’s also incredibly inspiring. I’m discovering new sides of myself, especially creatively. And I don’t have to do everything alone—I have an amazing team.” Lara strongly believes in delegating: “The tasks my colleagues enjoy, I’m happy to hand over. You get further when you work together.”
Garbo Mode is located on Frederik Hendriklaan, affectionately known as “De Fred” in The Hague. Lara is actively involved in the local business association, the BIS. “We organize everything for the street: from festive lighting to large events like Halloween and King’s Day. We also handle communication and safety.” Lara sees it as her mission to encourage more collaboration among local shopkeepers: “Many retailers operate on their own little island. I believe we can achieve much more together—even if it’s just small things like tagging each other on social media or organizing joint events.”
With the rise of online shopping and people moving away from cities, physical shopping streets must offer more experience. Lara explains: “We try to attract more people to the street through events. Halloween, for instance, has grown into a big celebration with the local school. We also want to revive the Christmas shopping night. But that takes time, especially since many retailers are dealing with staff shortages.”
Still, Lara remains optimistic: “We’re a new board, and we want to shift away from negativity. We do all of this alongside running our own businesses, but the energy is high. And in the end, it’s contagious—once people get involved, they become enthusiastic too.” Lara sees great value in collaborating with other business associations in The Hague. “There are more than twenty in the city. By sharing knowledge and experiences, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time. One plus one really equals three.”
Passion as a Driving Force
Lara concludes with a clear message: “Whatever you do, do it with passion. Go for it. And if you no longer feel that passion, then it’s time to do something else.” Her energy and vision are contagious—not just for her team, but for the entire shopping street.
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