Hi, I’m Victoria Winter—a lifelong retailer, strategist, and relentless advocate for small businesses. My career started in 2006 when I fell in love with the magic of retail, where connection, creativity, and commerce all collide. For over a decade, I ran a thriving boutique, Amor Lafayette, in Louisiana, building it from the ground up as a 26-year-old with no roadmap, no mentors, and a whole lot of determination.

Amor grew into something no one could have predicted—fueled by 100% organic marketing, an all-female team, and countless moments that defined what small businesses truly mean to their communities. I’ve delivered funeral clothes to clients without them asking, celebrated baby showers after years of infertility struggles, and made it through the pandemic without cutting a single employee or missing a paycheck.

Small businesses don’t just sell products—they create opportunities, build moments, and strengthen the communities they serve. That’s what I’m passionate about, and that’s what I’m committed to preserving.

After selling Amor in 2024 to an incredible employee who shared my passion for its mission, I turned my focus to helping other small businesses thrive. My experience taught me that what retailers and e-commerce founders need isn’t just creativity—it’s time, systems, and tools that free them to fully lean into their vision.

That’s why I founded Inventorease, a hybrid AI and human-powered solution designed to eliminate the headaches of inventory management, purchase orders, and data integrity. To be honest, I didn’t want to start Inventorease—I wanted to stay in my creative, fun job. But when I couldn’t find a solution that truly served retailers, I built one myself.

Here’s the truth: small businesses are constantly left out of the future-of-commerce conversation, and that has to change. I’m obsessed with helping small businesses take their rightful place in the next chapter of commerce—leveraging cutting-edge tools and strategies that were once only accessible to corporations. I believe the small business economy is the heart of our communities, and it’s time to stop leaving them behind.

I also write two newsletters. One is a personal journal where I explore ideas, challenges, and inspirations from life and work. The other is called Business with Friends, where I take my incredible network of thinkers, builders, and innovators who’ve taught me so much and share their insights with the public. 

I believe in the power of small businesses, and I believe in building tools and strategies that help them thrive in the age of AI and megacorporations. Because a stronger small business economy benefits us all.

When I’m not working, I’m chasing after my two kids, brainstorming new ways to empower retailers, or finding joy in the little moments that remind me why I started this journey in the first place.