Meet Kathie Burba, the hard-working and driven new owner of Once Upon a Child Okemos!
Kathie lives in Okemos with her husband Matt and their busy blended family of seven kids, with two still at home. With a strong background in finance and after spending 12 years as a stay at home mom, she was looking for the right opportunity to own a business that aligned with her values. When she and her husband came across Once Upon a Child, Kathie loved the mission and knew it was the perfect fit.
At Once Upon a Child Okemos, Kathie and her team offer gently used and affordable kids clothing, shoes, toys, books, and baby gear. Families can stop by anytime during store hours to sell or shop, making it easy to support sustainable children’s fashion while keeping great items in the local community. Between early morning workouts, growing the business, and training her team, Kathie brings the same care and energy to the store that she brings to family life. Keep reading to learn more about her journey, her favorite ways to recharge, and how the Greater Lansing community can support her mission.
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Kathie! We are SO glad you are here💚
Welcome Kathie! Please introduce yourself, where are you from, where do you reside now, where you went to school, etc? Please give us an overview of all things, Kathie!
My family calls me Kate, and I grew up just outside of Flint. I currently live in Okemos with my husband Matt, and of our seven children, just two still live at home. We like to say, “Matt has 3, Kathie has 4 and together we have more than we bargained for!” I attended the University of Michigan-Flint where I studied Finance. I’ve worked in all sorts of different roles in Finance and was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years!
How old are your children?
Hannah-23, Ethan-20, Chase-16, Landon-15
Ally-25, Annie-23 and Abby-19
Where did you and your husband meet? Or a first date if local?
We were actually set up by his twin brother and sister-in-law! Our first date was a Detroit Tigers game, but on our second date we played golf with a friend at the Country Club of Lansing. We will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary in August.
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
Tough question, definitely the big hugs and just spending time with them. With a couple of them grown, it’s really sad not getting to spend as much time with them but I know that was always the end goal. Watching them achieve their goals and dreams is pretty amazing.
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom?
The long and tiring days will pass, and even though you are tired and worn out one day you will miss those sweet baby cuddles, the messes and chaos.
You recently became the owner of Once Upon a Child in Okemos, a children’s consignment shop—congratulations! What inspired you to take the leap into small business ownership?
My husband actually. We had talked about wanting to own our own business and started doing research. He is my biggest fan and supporter and I truly couldn’t do it without him. Having a business background and of course raising kids surely doesn’t make me an expert but I believe I have a solid background toward success.
What does a typical day look like for you—if there is such a thing?
I wake up most mornings and get in a workout at OrangeTheory in East Lansing. I like to get in a walk with our 5 year old Bernedoodle Bear and then head to the store. I’ve been trying to focus on growth and marketing but I have also hired a lot of new people, so making sure everyone is trained has been an important part of my day-to-day.
What can customers expect when they visit the store? Any favorite items or top-selling categories?
Customers can expect our newly organized store to have gently used and affordable kids clothing size Preemie to Youth 16-18, shoes, toys and books. We also carry baby equipment.
How does the selling process work at Once Upon a Child? Do people need to schedule an appointment to bring in items, or can they drop by anytime?
No appointment needed! We buy all seasons, all the time, and are currently focusing on back to school. Our Buy Counter is open during normal business hours Monday-Saturday 10-8 and Sunday 11-6. Items we purchase can also vary based on inventory and we are looking for items that are less than 5 years old.
With your family involved in the business, what’s one lesson you hope your kids learn from seeing the behind-the-scenes of running Once Upon a Child?
I think my kids have already learned a lot throughout this process, the importance of communication, patience and hard work.
How can the Greater Lansing community support you and Once Upon a Child?
Buy gently used kids’ clothing, toys, and gear from the store. Every purchase supports sustainable shopping and keeps resources in the local loop. Bring in gently used children’s items to sell, it helps families afford what they need while reducing waste. Share social media posts, recommend the store to other parents, and talk up the benefits of thrifting children’s clothing.
Here are a couple of questions to get to know you better 😊
Favorite account or two on Instagram?
Once Upon a Child Okemos of course! A second favorite is Go Clean Co, she is a cleaning expert and shares tips, tricks and before and after pictures. Everyone loves a good before and after!
Last book you read?
I LOVE to read, and the last book I read was by Liane Moriarty “What Alice Forgot”.
What’s your go-to activity when you need to recharge and enjoy some time for yourself?
Honestly going for a run, I’ve been a runner all my life and sometimes just a little run can make me feel so good.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl?
I am a morning person, I’m in bed most nights before 10 and up by 6:30. I love a good 7.5 hours of sleep!
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information or would like to connect?
Find us on Instagram or Facebook and of course pop in the store!
Thank you for sharing more about yourself, your family, and Once Upon a Child Okemos, Kathie! Your passion for helping local families and creating a welcoming space is clear in all that you do. We’re so grateful to share your story and celebrate the work you’re doing to make sustainable shopping easier and more affordable for Greater Lansing families.
Learn more about Once Upon A Child Okemos below:
Facebook Once Upon A Child Okemos
Instagram @onceuponachild.okemos
Website onceuponachild.com/okemos
Did you enjoy this GLAMoms Meet a Mom featuring Kathie Burba from Once Upon a Child Okemos?
Visit greaterlansingareamoms.com/meet-a-mom to find over 100 moms previously featured by Greater Lansing Area Moms and the Local Moms Network.
