Soul of 78: Gayle Cacioppio

Tickled Pink Boutique

Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill

On Christmas Eve 2020, Gayle Cacioppio received a phone call from a family friend: “Gayle, I’m not going to make it to the store before you close, and I still need a gift. Can you help me out?”

Without hesitation, Gayle jumped at the opportunity to help. She assembled an outfit, wrapped it up nicely, drove to the friends’ house, and hid the gift where the recipient wouldn’t find it.

In the early hours of Mother’s Day 2021, another family friend had the same need. Again, Gayle was more than ready to help.

These vignettes are reflective of the diligent, personalized customer service Gayle seeks to provide in her business, Tickled Pink Boutique, on Highway 195 in Jasper. In addition to always being ready to meet the needs of her customers, her goal is for everyone who walks through the doors to feel comfortable and confident.

“I learned the importance of great customer service when I was 16 years old, working with Ms. Edith Ivey at Carol’s Boutique,” Gayle says. “She taught me everything I know about interacting with people and how to pay attention to their needs. Not just their clothing needs, but the deeper needs that could be met by feeling confident in the clothes they wore.”

Gayle recalls being a high schooler and how validation from peers often depended on one’s appearance. She remembers how good she felt using part of her first paycheck to buy a polished, put-together outfit that would earn that validation. She also recounts feeling invalidated by the staff of certain boutiques where she was a patron.

“I’ve walked into stores and been made to feel judged and just ‘less’,” says Gayle. “Even though I know their opinion of me isn’t who I am, it still stings. I never want to make anyone feel that way, but especially in my store. I never want someone shopping at Tickled Pink to feel anything other than beautiful and worthy.”

Gayle is unafraid to go the extra mile to help a customer feel confident. Many times, she has gone to market with specific clients in mind, seeking out the styles that will bring a smile to their faces when they see their reflections. To her, owning a clothing store is much more than making a profit; it’s the gratification that comes from helping someone feel comfortable in their own skin. 78