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Building a natural parenting store (and community) from the ground up…the story of Crunchy Boutique

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Starting a business is hard. Really hard. It’s a lot of work. Time. Energy. Love. Mostly love. Crunchy Boutique is the only shop of its kind in its area (Arlington & Fort Worth, TX). And it’s one of only THREE brick and mortar natural parenting store in the entire United States that is Black-owned. This is the story of how they opened Crunchy Boutique, why they are unique, and why you need to check them out both in person and on their website, crunchyboutique.net! I’m helping them host an amazing giveaway; make sure you read to the bottom!

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Crunchy Boutique is owned and operated by Keema Echols, Lauren Echols-Cain and Brandon Echols.   Altogether, any one of 7 family members may be found at Crunchy Boutique helping out in some way at any time.

Lauren is the inspiration for and the face of Crunchy Boutique.

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When Lauren found out that she was expecting in early 2016, she knew almost immediately that she wanted to travel the natural parenting path.   At that time the most important things to Lauren and her husband, DeAndre, were to have a home water birth, cloth diaper and breastfeed.   Lauren and DeAndre had baby August in November and started cloth diapering and breastfeeding immediately.  It was apparent very early on that resources for natural parenting in the Arlington/Fort Worth area were non-existent.   Lauren made several trips many miles away to purchase cloth diapers and for breastfeeding support.   She made each trip with her mother, Keema, and each time they would talk about how ridiculous it was that they had to travel so far for such simple things.

Keema has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and has owned many businesses.  When people ask her about her entrepreneurial pursuits she always shares her philosophy as follows, “I just jump and hope the parachute works.  Most of the time it does, but sometimes it doesn’t.   When it doesn’t, I get up, dust myself off and keep it pushing.”

In February 2017, Lauren and Keema started discussing the idea of opening a natural parenting store in Arlington.  The discussion quickly moved to planning.    They found a location in April, solicited input from the local natural parenting community a few weeks later and had their grand opening in June. This is just a tiny look at a few of the amazing products they carry.

Being the “new kids on the block” they are able to do new and different things to market and to introduce their store to the public.   They decided NOT to look at what our competitors do or have done but rather to come up with their own fresh ideas to make shopping at Crunchy Boutique a fun experience. Much of their merchandise comes from local sources.   They also look to social media for new and trendy products. Crunchy Boutique focuses most of their marketing attention on social media.   They are constantly looking to develop new ways to engage and grow the natural parenting audience.  The Black community is not as widely represented in the natural parenting community.   One of their goals is to introduce cloth diapering to a segment of society that has not been exposed to it yet.

Not only do they offer natural parenting items such as cloth diapers, baby carriers, breastfeeding supplies, stainless steel and glass bottles but we also offer a wide variety of classes and support groups.

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A fun picture of some of the moms that attended a class!

Here is just a sampling of the classes/support groups Crunchy Boutique offers:

  • Breastfeeding/Lactation Support
  • Intro to Cloth Diapering
  • Belly Birth
  • Sleep Regression
  • Mama Mixer
  • Dad TGIF Group
  • Baby Play Time
  • Toddler Play Time
  • New Mommy
  • Nutrition
  • Essential Oils in Pregnancy
  • Chemical Free Living
  • Choosing a Doula/Midwife

This is only the beginning for Crunchy Boutique and they are so thrilled at where this journey has lead them and where it will bring them in the future.

You can find natural parenting store Crunchy Boutique at 1010 N Davis Drive, Arlington, Texas 76012 or online at crunchyboutique.net! Make sure you also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

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Comments

  1. I love it. Parenting is HARD at times and I love that they are a support team as well as a store. It takes a lot of guts to start a new buisness and it sounds like they’re doing an awesome job :)

    Reply

  2. Thanks for all the extra info and sharing your own experience with and knowledge with cloth diapers I wish I used them with my first two I did from the beginning with my daughter and she loves them so much no rashes it’s amazing I never run out of diapers we use cloth wipes and swim diapers as well the diaper bag I have isn’t big enough so I have to Carry diapers in a wetbags and the diaper bag but with all the money I save I will get one eventually maybe I’ll win the amazing one in the giveaway I never won anything like that hope I get lucky and good luck to you other ladies have a great weekend

    Reply

  4. This is awesome! I’m so inspired by mamas who see a need and fill the void. Way to go! I hope all your dreams come true ??

    Reply

  7. Recently I’ve been trying to convince my husband that we need to move to Texas and this is just one more reason to go!!

    Reply

  8. I am so absolutely happy to be able to support a Black owned natural parenting store!! I can’t wait to spend these coins there!!

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  9. Wow! I can’t believe all of those awesome classes are offered there! That would be amazing in such a small town, such as u live in with limited resources!

    Reply

  11. Sounds like an awesome adventure& legacy <3. I wish more things like this were available out in our area in the country as well!

    Reply

  12. I love the story and totally relate since there are no stores near me like that either. I have to do all of my diaper shopping online!

    Reply

  17. Thank you for what you do ? it’s so important to build community for mothers to get the support that they need. Great job, great story

    Reply

  20. I love following them on Instagram! They have the best videos and pictures! And so many amazing classes!

    Reply

  24. Thanks for sharing your story. I can’t imagine starting my own business. I would be too scared of all the challenges.

    Reply

  26. I love learning the back story of how something came to be. And what an amazing back story it is! See a need, fill a need and you will go far!

    Reply

  31. Best wishes for a successful business. Offering the classes is a nice plus to your store. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the chance to win the cool diaper bag.

    Reply

  36. I wish stores near me bad support groups and classes like this! That is amazing! Moms need a community and to support and help each other ! I wish I could have taken some while I was pregnant so i could have had a community postpartum and learn some information.

    Reply

  38. I wish you had a store in Michigan! I think it’s so great that you also offer so many classes/support for both moms and dads!! Good for you!!

    Reply

  43. How beautiful that this is more than just a business but providing education, support and resources to the community! The world needs more of this. Kudos to Crunchy Boutique!!

    Reply

  46. I love that class list. Something like that would’ve been a huge help for us starting out on our parenting journey!

    Reply

  47. What a great story. I wish someone would open a business like this in my town. I am in Ohio but if I ever make it out that way I would love to stop in

    Reply

  49. What a great story! Wish I lived nearby! It’s my dream to open a store just like this! Best wishes and congrats!

    Reply

  53. What a unique store concept! Love that it’s a small biz thats down to earth and fun! Thanks for sharing their story!

    Reply

  56. Congratulations on starting your new adventure with your shop and your little one!! Such an exciting time … I wish you much success ?

    Reply

  57. Great story and best wishes to them in the success of their business! I too wish I lived nearby so I could take advantage of a class or two and shop in store.

    Reply

  58. I’m impressed I’d really like to live closer to take advantage of what the offer :) and support them in their endeavor.

    Reply

  62. Wow! These are some ambitious parents! They basically started their own business and opened up shop before their baby was even a year old! I think it’s so inspiring that they are working hard to fill a need in their lock community AND online for those of us not local! Awesome!

    Reply

  63. another chance to win the bag, yea I’ll take it. really could use it for hubby being ill he is my baby now !! thanks for the second chance.

    Reply

  69. Amazing family and story! SO proud of you and I especially love to see POC in the natural health store arena. Much success to you alll!

    Reply

  71. This sounds like a great place! And congratulations on building such an awesome store with tons of support too!!

    Reply

  79. Wow! This store is amazing for offering many services. This will be a very good help for mothers and soon to be mothers.

    Reply

  80. Good job lady’s keep up the amazing work. I love the message and support you send out. Wish I could visit the store I’ll have to check you guys out online

    Reply

  81. Good job lady’s keep up the amazing work. I love the message and support you send out. Wish I could visit the store I’ll have to check you guys out online.

    Reply

  82. We have a quite small brick and mortar shop 45 minutes from me but it’s the process of closing down. I so wish we could keep it and add all the classes like these guys!

    Reply

  83. This seems like the most awesome store ever wish we had a store like this close to me!!! I love CD , babywearing, oils, ect…

    Reply

  85. Crunchy Boutique sounds like a wonderful new company! Happy to see they have an online site, I’ll be checking them out, their products look really nice!

    Reply

  90. That’s awesome and I’ll have to definitely check out their online options. I love how many classes they offer. Impressive!

    Reply

  91. love this blog would absolutely love this diaper bag due with baby girl number 3 October 1st it would be an absolute blessing to win thanks so much

    Reply

  92. Wow, I’m impressed she has done all that with a brand new baby! I know they carry one of my favorite diapers that is also owned by a black mom living in N. TX- Pooters Diapers. I hope her business is a thriving success! It’s so nice having another brick & mortar within 45 min. Of me!

    Reply

  95. What a terrific story! Love hearing about moms who step up and make things better for themselves and their communities. Way to go!!!

    Reply

  96. I wish I had a brick and mortar store like this near me! There is one about 50 miles away but it’s more of a clothing store with just a few baby supplies.

    Reply

  97. I am from Minnesota so visiting in person is not an option for me but I love what you are doing. My husband and I are into most things natural and we have found that the resources are very slim. We became parents October 2016 and we have been trying to soak up all the information possible.

    Reply

  100. It is definitely a brave thing to open a business in this economy. I love this story! We also didn’t have a Natural parenting store or Babywearing group locally when I had my oldest. When I had my youngest we had/ have a wonderful cloth diaper/ natural store. I enjoy seeing these types of classes/ groups for mothers, as they all don’t have the support/ knowledge needed. My husband, my Mother, MIL, +++all supported my breastfeeding/ babywearing/ cloth diapering. I know so many don’t have that. I wish Crunchy Boutique all the best in their future endeavors.

    Reply

  101. Wow! How exciting! I’d love something like that near me here in Ontario, Canada. All the best to them and hoping I win the bag!!?

    Reply

  102. Congratulations. Wonderful what you are doing. Sad that there was nothing around in your area but maybe it was for this very reason. Hope more people switch and start using the cloth diapers and going natural. Good luck!

    Reply

  105. Starting a business is very hard. Kudos to you for your efforts in providing something that was truly needed

    Reply

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