Small Business Shopster

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE cheering for the under dog. I think that’s why I enjoy watching shows like “The Voice” and “Dancing With The Stars.” I find myself choking up when I watch someone (an under dog) struggle, but they don’t give up and keep trying. Then they get to a point where they come out of nowhere and belt out that song or dance with confidence and have a flawless performance. Yep, that’s when I lose it and cry happy tears. Seeing how excited and proud they are with what they just accomplished makes me so ecstatic for them. Don’t we ALL ultimately want that… to succeed? Small businesses are the under dogs and they rely on us consumers to choose them. They all have personal touches that you can’t find at big chain stores and restaurants.

What I want to achieve with this blog is to personalize small businesses because I think once we put a face and soul behind these places, we’ll have a greater sense to support and help these small business owners succeed. It just might inspire some of you to take the plunge and go for your own dream.

With that being said and without further adieu, I give you my first small business feature, Kie & Kate Couture. After living here now for almost a year in a half, I decided to give this boutique a whirl that my girlfriends kept telling me about.

First of all, it’s so much more than a women & children’s store. It’s a place where birthday parties, workshops, crafty creative camps for kids and more are held. Moms can go in and shop stress-free. Store owner, Kate Kemph, emphasized that she doesn’t want moms to feel like they have to tell their kids, “Don’t touch!” She wants them to feel like it’s a “touching store” where they can explore without the fear of breaking something. Kate is a mom of three kids herself, who was once a first grade teacher and has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. So, she TOTALLY gets moms and children. She’s willing to run things out to a mom’s car or deliver to their homes. Kate wants shopping to be convenient for moms and women who just want a time out for themselves. Men, you’re welcome too. They can help you pick out something for your special someone. She wants it to feel like “Cheers” when people walk into her store. Some of her younger sales associates aren’t familiar with that TV show, but us older guys and gals know what she’s talkin’ bout. Right? NORM!!!

Shortly after getting her master’s degree, Kate got pregnant with her first baby, Kiely. Twelve months later she had a baby boy. She was once a nanny and knew she wanted to stay home with her little ones, but when her babies were three and fifteen months old, Kate decided she really needed a creative outlet for her “ADD artist” within herself. In 2008, the economy was collapsing and her husband’s industry in finance and commercial real estate was taking a hit.

Over that summer, Kate wanted to breathe life into her family and contemplated what to do. In September 2008, her husband, Steve, and her father-in-law, who is a lawyer, encouraged and helped her set up a legitimate Illinois business. She started sewing baby T-shirts, onesies, bibs and burp cloths out of her home. Kate would also take old vintage jewelry and create things. She dabbled with handbags, scarves and clothing. It all started small with trunk shows. Kate would do parties at friend’s homes and over time built up her clientele. She learned what kinds of things THEY liked and they loved her eye for style and reasonable price points. Her little business went from trunk shows, country clubs, and fashion shows to selling out of her own house. 

An accountant friend of hers took on her financial side of the business as a retirement project and reported that over the first year and a half to two years her business had grown 600 percent. In 2011, they began to scout out real estate, a home for her store. Her husband, family and friends helped her take that leap of faith and they found the spot- 559 Spring Road Elmhurst, IL 60126. It’s been going strong for four years now thanks to loyal and new customers.

The name Kie & Kate Couture is a combination of Kate’s name and her daughter, Kiely, who is eight and a half years young now and can run the cash register when her mom needs a fill-in. Kate likes to tell kids that couture is a french word that means high fashion and is special, one-of-a-kind. Kids can design their own custom shirts at a birthday party or workshop where they can pick out the fabric and it’s stitched onto the T-shirt. Then they get to wear “couture” all over town.

I went to an event at Kie & Kate Couture last Thursday night where she hosted a few fashion/stylist bloggers and the turn out was incredible. Women mingled, sipped wine, and of course… shopped! I was so happy for Kate and to see the support she got from our community!

Look on her website for upcoming events. Kate hosts kid’s birthday parties, girl scout troops, book clubs, workshops and crafty creative camps for kids. She’s given sewing classes and enjoys helping those entrepreneurial minded kids come up with their own business plans to show case their creative sides. This all comes from her educational background with her creative cherry on top.

So, give Kie & Kate Couture a whirl for yourself and show your support for this small business owner. I snagged (that sounds like I stole it) a Thanksgiving decoration, sweater, hat, and a scarf! This blogging niche might get pricey, haha! There are great gifts, things for your home, jewelry, accessories, hats, scarves, handbags, women and children’s clothing, baby hats, toys, books, etc. Okay, you get the point, a lot of fun stuff. Book an event, party, workshop or just plain shop and support Kate who is doing an amazing job at what she loves to do. You can order from afar at:

http://www.kiekatecouture.com