If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be running a boutique, I probably would have laughed. Retail was never in my plans. My world revolved around shaping young minds, working with four- and five-year-olds, and helping families navigate those precious early childhood years. I spent 14 years in education, and as a part-time stay-at-home mama, my motto was always, "I don’t work nights, weekends, holidays, or summers." And now look at me—working nights, weekends, holidays, and summers! 😂
Taking the Leap
In 2022, I started working at Mama + Me Boutique under its founder, Nicole. At the time, the shop had already evolved from an online baby boutique into a beautiful children’s store, offering newborn-to-youth clothing, toys, and thoughtful gifts for moms. Over the next 1.5 years, I fell in love with the boutique world. I saw firsthand how much this space meant to our customers—the moms searching for the perfect baby shower gift, the expecting parents looking for cozy newborn essentials, the grandparents delighting in their grandchild’s first outfit.
Then, in February 2024 an opportunity came my way—one that was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Nicole was ready to pass the torch, and I was offered the chance to purchase Mama + Me Boutique. After plenty of thought (and a little bit of panic!), I knew in my heart this was the right path. On April 1, 2024, it became official!
But this wasn’t the career path I originally saw for myself. I spent 14 years in education, working with pre-K students and helping families navigate early childhood. I loved it, but due to health challenges, including a neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis, stepping away from teaching is what made sense. It was a hard decision —until I found Mama + Me.
This boutique gave me a new purpose, allowing me to continue supporting families in a completely different way. What started as a job turned into a dream I didn’t know I had.
Growing with Our Customers
When I stepped into ownership, I knew I wanted to honor everything that made Mama + Me special while also listening to what our customers wanted. It was so cool seeing the community and following Nicole had built. Over time, we expanded our offerings, bringing in maternity fashion, nursing-friendly essentials, and even more baby must-haves—things our community had been asking for.
Today, we’re not just a children's boutique; we’re a one-stop shop for moms, babies, and growing families. Whether you’re looking for trendy maternity fashion, cozy newborn essentials, sensory and wooden toys, or thoughtfully curated books, we’re here to help make parenthood (and gift-giving!) easier.
Why I Love What I Do
What makes this journey so special is the people. I love hearing from moms who tell me, "I wish this store had existed when I was pregnant!" or the grandparent who stops in just to browse and ends up finding something perfect for their grandchild (but not leaving without showing me adorable photos and videos first!🤣). And, of course, I love seeing little ones light up when they find a new favorite toy, or just watching their little curious, excited faces looking around the boutique.
Owning a boutique is a wild ride—there are long hours, endless decisions, and constant learning. But at the end of the day, it’s so much more than just a business, It’s a space for families, for connection, and for celebrating all the little moments that make childhood (and motherhood) so magical.
💛 Thank you for being part of the Mama + Me family—I can’t wait to continue growing with you! Stop by the shop, follow along on social media, or reach out anytime. I’d love to help you find something special!
xoxo ~ Elise