It will be republished. It was first published two years ago, when we turned 21. Someone came in today saying he was going to read it. It’s crazy that he did that It’s kind of bittersweet to think 23 years ago, or even just two, or, you know, 4 months ago! These are strange days for all of us.
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Twenty one years ago.
Twenty thousand dollars and a dream.
It’s our 21st birthday! It was a crazy leap of faith and fashion that led to our opening. I work in retail and work over 40 hours a week. I have an amazing, amazing 20-month-old son, and a recently unemployed co-parent. I miss my son as the only financial supporter I had an idea. So, I took almost every penny we needed to open my dream- a place that gave new moms and moms to be a well-edited-“best of the best for the bump and beyond”-collection of maternity and mostly non-maternity styles that make people look and feel good like themselves, in an environment that is warm, welcoming, friendly and welcoming.
Ah, but…… Really? It’s crazy. (Oh, and did I mention I want to get pregnant again?)
Yep, dreams come true and like babies, they grow up.
It worked! We’re 21, and better than ever, we have 3 locations, great staff, and great clients whose kids we’ve seen grow up and meet new close mamas everyday!!!
Great friends, colleagues, and family make all the difference when you’re building a dream, or in this case, celebrating a birthday!
What does building that dream look like? Like this:
I am here in front of the wall made by “me”. Of course. I’m not handy. Thank goodness for friends! It didn’t go down—because I had friends who were better than me. (And, as much as I like to think of myself as on top of trends, those jeans “self-destructed”. Ha!)
There was all this cabinetry built all around the space we rented, and it was there ready for an earthquake. It doesn’t move. No 30 year old and a 20 month old, and almost everyone else I know, can’t handle it 🙂
Juice box breaks are regularly scheduled.
Bars for fitting rooms-Dad is there!
More work, more friends.
More work, more friends.
Then, finally, the Grand Opening! Yes, there are only about 4 hangers per bar, yes there is a horrible dropped ceiling, and yes, everything appears to be literally black. A lot has changed!
Hundreds of thousands of women (crazy but true) have trusted us to dress them for everything from red carpets and presidential inaugurations to interviews and careers, from weddings and funerals to playgrounds. The mothers shared their stories, their tears, their fears and their dreams. And they come out feeling better and better than when they went in. We are honored to serve, and we are deeply grateful to all of them for their friendship.
That little helper 20 years ago is big now. And still adorable to his mom. (And, 20 years ago, Raffi was the darling of the toddler set, one of his big hits was Bananaphone. This guy still answers him, especially when his girlfriend calls:)
I succeeded in that goal with a second pregnancy, so, yes, 8 months after we opened I had a baby. Yes, the madness didn’t end, but that’s a whole different story. And, he grew too!
Our mission has never changed, still having a blast bringing the best of the best for the bump and more.
So happy! And, it’s just getting started!
Rock on for the next 21 years!
