Submitted by Sarah Wizemann, owner of Lille Boutique Portland, Oregon
I opened Lille a little over 6 years ago after moving to Portland from New York and not finding any lingerie store that catered to my aesthetic sensibilities. I was looking for some place tasteful, elegant, fashion-forward yet simultaneously vintage-inspired, with a good selection of natural fibers and non-padded options that offered a range of prices, and that just didn’t … Read More
Submitted by April Burch, Ph.D (aka Dr. Cleavage), Co-Owner of Great Barrington Bra & Girl in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Bra & Girl began as the “bottle of wine idea”. When I would come home from work as a Research
Scientist bemoaning the challenges of grant funding and publication, my husband would say: “Tell me what you would do if you we’re not in science?”. I would always say “I’d have … Read More
Submitted by Jo Nicewicz Carville who owns
Jo Karen with her partner Karen Bender in Acton, Massachusetts
Having my own shop was something I had always wanted to do. I had actually looked at gift shops before I had children but decided to put that on hold and begin to raise a family. I was fortunate to be able to stay at home while my children were young. As soon … Read More
Submitted by Shelly Manougian Owner, Bella Intimates in Rye, NH
My passion for the intimate apparel business started in 1993, when I started working part-time for an established fine lingerie boutique in Portsmouth, NH. It was within that wonderful atmosphere that I was to find my true calling, which was to provide a positive impact on women by helping them to feel good about themselves. The concept of “Bella Intimates” … Read More
