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Name: Rachel's Boutique

Type of business: A boutique of women's clothing and accessories

Address: 2-60 Town Center Drive, North Brunswick

Telephone: (732) 821-4600

Number of employees: 1

Founded: October 1984

Top officer: Rachel Ben Altaba, owner

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-7:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-sunset Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Saturday.

How would you describe your business?

"We are a boutique selling women's high-end designer clothes and accessories at reasonable prices," said owner Rachel Ben Altaba.

"We have dresses for all occasions and sizes. We have bar mitzvah outfits for both the bat mitzvah girl and her mother, and also have mother of the bride dresses. We carry daytime clothing, professional outfits, and evening wear with the accompanying accessories -- shoes, purses, belts, costume jewelry. We carry brand names including Jovani, Nucua, Pazzo, and Perlina.

"We get the European look before anyone else, bringing European fashions to our store. Our fashion is a year ahead of anyone else."

What makes your business special?

"We offer one-on-one service to the customer. We cater to the person and her personality. Our emphasis is on what looks great on you, otherwise I wouldn't sell it. We put you together with the clothes. I can dress a woman and find 20 outfits perfect for her in an hour. Some of our customers have shown their appreciation by staying with us and traveling from Queens or Long Island. The woman who shops here becomes our friend and is treated like member of our family."

What goals do you have for the business?

"Our goal is to please everyone with the outfit and with the price."

How has your business changed?

"When I came to the U.S. from Israel in 1977 and needed a job, I realized I didn't have the language skills to work in an office. I loved shoes, so I opened a store selling shoes in Brooklyn and the line kept growing. I was there for five years until I had my babies. Then we moved the store to North Brunswick 25 years ago."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"People keep asking us for our Web site and we don't have one year. So we expect to start a Web site and have one running in the future."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"To have a one-on-one relationship with our customer and always to please the customer. I've gotten flowers from customers for what we've done for them."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"Love the person coming into your store. Don't wait in showing your interest in them."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. I really love what I am doing, and want to stay in my business as long as I can."