Mondays at Greater Lansing area Moms are all about the GLAMoms Meet a Mom! This week is not one but the two moms behind Grace + Jane Children’s Boutique – Erika and Megan and are you in for a treat!
This mom-duo did not have much success locally when shopping for their daughters. Instead of traveling and online shopping for newborn, infant, toddler and younger children’s clothing and accessories (and some things for moms too) – they created Grace + Jane Children’s Boutique.
Now not only are Erika and Megan business partners, they live within miles of one another and they are sisters who are bringing a lot to the Greater Lansing area.
GLAMoms had the opportunity to sit down with Erika and Megan last week! We had a coffee and incredible conversation with this duo at Tin Cup Creamery! We learned so much about their families, their goals, and ideas moving forward and we are honored to share Erika and Megan with you!
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Erika and Megan! 😊💚
Hi Megan and Erika! Would you please introduce yourself?
We are sisters, who grew up in Howell and both attended MSU (Go Green!) and now live two miles apart from one another in Dewitt!
How old are your children?
Megan – Ellie is three years old & due with a baby boy on Valentine’s Day
Erika – Kollyns is a year old and Kennedy is two weeks old. Exactly 51 weeks apart!
Where did you and your husbands meet?
A fun fact for many! Our mom works with both of our husbands at Plante Moran, where Megan met her husband first through a workout program Plante Moran offered their employees and family/friends at the MAC and then Erika met her husband shortly thereafter.
We have a lot of accountants in the family 🙂
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
Watching and experiencing life through your little ones eyes! It’s been so special to share celebrations and traditions with our girls and to see the excitement it brings to each of them!
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there is absolutely no shame in asking for help! We all need to remember to take care of ourselves too, it’s a time of adjustment for all.
Please tell us more about Grace + Jane! How did this idea come to be?
We wanted to offer the community a place to shop for curated clothing collections consisting of neutral colors and patterns. If you are welcoming a newborn, shopping for toddlers or simply looking for a gift to give, we have what you are looking for! We have loved shopping at locally owned boutiques for our little ones and were eager to offer the same experience to our community!
Would you share the story behind Grace + Jane as your business name?
We decided on the name Grace + Jane as it’s the middle names of each of our oldest little ones! Both of these names were on each of our lists for middle name options so we clearly liked them 🙂 Plus these two girls are the reason we started shopping at children’s boutiques and drew our interest to all the adorable clothing options for little ones!
What is the most rewarding part of owning your own business? Most challenging?
The most rewarding part has been engaging with so many people from our community and the excitement they have picking out outfits for the little ones in their lives, especially those who are welcoming their first child or grandchild!!
Our challenge has been learning the most desired sizes people are shopping for. We are always open to hearing what customers would like to see more of so please feel free to let us know what you are looking for!
Any plans for a store front?
The goal is to absolutely open a Grace + Jane storefront, one day. Until then, we will be offering in-person shopping experiences with monthly pop-ups!
Would you share a bit about your “day job”
Megan works at Gillespie Group as the Leasing & Business Development Manager, helping organizations find a space they can call ‘home’! I love watching the growth and energy of Lansing continue to evolve!!
Erika worked in the wedding sales industry for Zola prior to staying home full-time with Kollyns and Kennedy.
How do you balance being a mom and your career?
Our mom is our biggest role model and was/still is an extraordinary example of how to balance both a successful career and being a mom! It’s not always easy but with organization, prioritization and a support system around you, it’s possible to give it your best in every component of your life!
Plus it’s extremely rewarding showing our girls that with hardwork and determination, anything is possible!!
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 🙂
Coffee or tea?
Coffee! Our Saturday morning tradition while our husbands are busy with tax season is to meet for coffee and donuts at Tin Cup Cafe and Creamery. Our girls love coloring at their kid’s table!
Favorite account or two on Instagram?
@karrie_locher & @krista.horton
Last book you read?
Anything Colleen Hoover has been our go-to’s.
Favorite baby product?
Doona – makes life on the go much easier!
Do you have a favorite brand, specific item or must have that you carry?
Our bamboo pajamas are so soft and offered in many colors/patterns making for great pieces year round.
Do you have a favorite podcast?
The Morning After with Kelly Stafford (Go Lions!!)
Are you a morning person, or a night owl?
Opposites on this one! Megan is a night owl and Erika is a morning person.
Where are some of your favorite places locally to spend time with your family/family favorites?
A few of our local favorites to take the little ones to is Impression5, Kiki’s Gymnastics open gym and walks around campus. Megan’s girl is obsessed with all things MSU and loves watching basketball games at ‘the Breslin Center’!
Our favorite restaurant to go to together without the little ones is Bridge Street Social
Is there anything else you would like to share with Greater Lansing Area Moms?
YES! We would like to offer 15% off all Grace + Jane online orders placed! Use code GLAM15 at checkout.
If you would like to learn more about Grace + Jane, us or would like to contact us, please message us in social media or our website (more information below).
Grace + Jane will be at many upcoming events throughout the year and the two coming up are the Sweetheart Social at The Emerging Parent and The Portrait Lounge and Galentine’s Day Pop-up at Bridge + Main Plant Studio with Lakuna Links.
For future events, bookmark the Grace + Jane Facebook event page, we will update this as plans are made!
Thank you for joining us as GLAMoms Meet a Moms this week, Erika and Megan!
We would also like to give your husbands a little shout out here too as they recently shared what it was like to be the spouse of a small business owner! So fun and love the support, and comedy! Link to their recent Instagram Reel HERE
It was so nice to get to know you a little better. We look forward to working with you again soon 🙂
Follow Megan and Erika here:
Facebook — Grace + Jane
Instagram — @shopgraceandjane
Website — shopgraceandjane.com
Image credit:
From the top,
images 1, 3,-7 Jaime Rose Photography
image 2 The Portrait Lounge
Are you interested or know of someone who would make a great GLAMoms Meet a Mom?
Send a message to [email protected] and we will take it from there!
