From Sisters to Business Partners: Abilene Duos 28-Year Journey

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Lisa Bailey and her sister, Jamie Bailey-Arrington, have been in business together for 28 years in downtown Abilene.

These Cooper High School graduates left Abilene for college but returned to help bring change to the downtown area. 

The Arrangement, a boutique/floral shop, and the event venue, The Warehouse, are located at 357 Walnut Street. They’ve called this specific location home for the last 18 years.

“When I set something back, and she comes back and changes it. Like I push something in and she changes it, that’s the best part,” said Jamie Bailey-Arrington when rearranging a display in the story. 

Lisa Bailey added, “It’s called, we’re the rearrangers of some things.”

There’s a comfort and trust level when working side by side with your sister, but at the end of the day, they’re still sisters. Both admit they didn’t exactly plan to go into business together. 

Lisa Bailey added, “No, we were the two that you should have given us boxing gloves as kids because we fought a lot.”

Jamie Bailey-Arrington added, “She would drive up from college and I’d be like, Why is she back?”  Lisa Bailey said, “She didn’t understand it. She was enjoying being the only one at home.”

Lisa Bailey was 23 and Jamie Bailey-Arrington was 21 when they first opened The Arrangement. 

“When we first started our CPA, I was like I don’t think it’s going to work. Y’all are too young,” added Jamie Bailey-Arrington.

But Lisa Bailey was determined to make her vision a reality.

“You have to be part of the change if you want things to happen,” said Bailey.

Together, the duo dreamt big and worked hard while combining their talents.

Jamie Bailey-Arrington said, “I get focused on the little details. She’s like Okay, let’s get the bigger picture.”

Lisa Bailey added, “Okay, let’s start here and then you can tweak and tune.”

The sisters shared about growing up with learning disabilities and how they turned obstacles into opportunities. 

“We both had learning disabilities growing up, so for us, I think when you have to learn different ways to get to the same results, you get pretty creative,” said Bailey.

But it’s not just the sisters you’ll find inside the Arrangement. There’s also the cat, Willis, who made himself right at home in the storefront 15 years ago. 

Their partnership in both family and business continues to bloom in downtown Abilene. They’re always working to stay ahead of the trends and to keep their business fresh. 

“Even in your downtime, you have to keep thinking ahead. There are so many steps to keep it moving,” added Lisa Bailey.

Both sisters attribute some of their success to their parents teaching them early on how to be self-sufficient.