Our Story
Meet the Owner
Introduction: Hello Mamas! My name is Ali Disney (Yes, I married a man with the last name Disney). I am a wife and mother of four sassy, fun-loving kiddos! I live in Clarion, a small town in north central Iowa. Since January of 2021, I have been running my boutique full-time WHILE being a stay-at-home mom. But it wasn't always this way...
So why did I open a boutique? I have always loved fashion! As far back as I can remember, I loved putting outfits together and adding coordinating accessories. My mom tells this story about me when I was little: I always wore my shirt tail tucked up into the top of my shirt or tied with a hair tie like a bikini, because I thought it was fashionable. In high school, my friend and I put on a fashion show for a class project with outfits we coordinated and "borrowed" from major retailers. And in college I worked at a couple of different clothing and shoe retailers... I think I spent most of my paycheck buying those same clothes and shoes I was trying to sell!
For the longest time, I wanted to be a fashion designer but ended up going the "safe" route and studying business and marketing. Plus, I was so nervous that making it my job would somehow ruin the love I have for fashion. I thought that one day I might get the courage to open my own clothing store, because I absolutely love to shop! I especially love little boutique stores where you can find unique items that you can't always find at those big box chain stores. I love pieces that have a story to tell.
The rest is history! It wasn't until I had the idea of opening an online boutique that I thought it might be possible to dip my fashion-loving fingernails into the industry. I knew I had the business and marketing background that could help my business grow. Plus, I thought that opening my own online boutique could be the perfect way to become somewhat of a personal shopper for all my customers.
In February of 2016, I opened my online boutique... my office, store, and warehouse were all in one room in the basement of my house! It sounds crazy to say that, but it allowed me to get my foot in the door with minimal expenses. Business grew pretty quickly, especially considering I was still working a full-time job and having babies during this time. I found myself really wanting that brick and mortar storefront as well.
So, by the grace of God, I was able to open the doors to my first storefront, just after two years in business on September 8, 2018. And just about two years later, on January 15, 2021, the perfect storefront for a clothing boutique opened up in downtown Clarion, so I made the move to our current location at 102 N Main! At the same time, I decided to resign from my "full-time job," focus on my boutique, and raise my now, four babies!
Thank You! Needless to say, business is good, and life is grand! And I definitely owe my customers a BIG, FAT THANK YOU for making that happen for me! With each visit, conversation, Facebook message, and purchase, you continue to fulfill my childhood dreams, and I have never been more excited for the future in this business that I love!
What's in a Name?
I have a lot of people ask me where the name of my boutique came from, so here it is:
The word, “italics” came to me when I was searching the web for a name for my boutique. It struck me in two ways…
One: If you haven’t picked up on it yet, it has my name in it -- it-ALI-ics!
And two: I love how the meaning can relate to fashion. The word italics, pronounced [ih-tal-iks] is an adjective that means: of or relating to a style of printing types in which letters usually slope to the right, and it is used for emphasis. I have adapted this meaning as my own personal tagline for my boutique:
Italics, pronounced [ih-tal-iks], adjective: of or relating to a style of fashion, used to show emphasis or make a statement.
Fashion doesn't change who you are, it emphasizes it!
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