Gulia Metcalf, owner of Pink N Blue Avenue, moved to the United States 18 years ago on a student program from Russia. When she first arrived in Destin, Florida, she said she found herself facing a new culture, new language and new job experiences.
"At first, I questioned why I'd traded my secure government job, after graduating from a prestigious college in Russia, for roles in retail, restaurants, and real estate offices in a new land," Gulia said. "But deep down, I knew this was my path. I believed that as long as I gave my best every day, everything would eventually fall into place."
Eight years after moving to Destin, Gulia welcomed her daughter Gigi into her life, sparking the inspiration behind Pink N Blue Avenue.
“It was then that I felt a calling, leading me to open a children's boutique," Gulia said. "The store allowed me to spend invaluable time with Gigi while contributing something meaningful to our community. Today, beyond the hustle of the business lies my heart and soul; my two bundles of joy, Gigi, 11, and my son, 6-year-old Gregory, a.k.a. Bubby.”
Pink N Blue Avenue opened just over 10 years ago in a small plaza near Fresh Market in Destin, offering a physical place to browse and purchase quality children’s clothing and European-inspired toys, books and accessories. Just three years after opening, the need to expand brought the boutique to the large outdoor mall, the Destin Commons.
“The unwavering support of our locals moved us forward, leading to a rapid expansion and a transition to Destin Commons,” Gulia said. “Today, our shelves proudly hold over 220 handpicked brands.”
Fueled by the supportive Destin community and her own desire to give back, Gulia initiated the non-profit Dream Big Foundation in July of 2023.
“It’s a passion project I had in my heart for a while,” Gulia said. “Our goal and thought behind it is that any child in our community can access after-school activities, such as sports, art, or dance, despite financial limitations. We hope that with the community’s support, we can sculpt a future where every child's passion finds a place to blossom.”
When not working, Gulia can be found spending every second she has with her kids.
“Family time is sacred in our house,” Gulia said. “Our time together is filled with joy, games, crafts, outdoor activities, and shared passions like learning crochet or cooking or exploring the wonders of the world traveling together.”
The Dream Big-G Foundation, while still in the build-out phase, plans on hosting fundraisers in the future to benefit local students seeking to participate in afterschool programs.
"We had one fundraiser throughout my store donating 10% of sales over the holiday weekend towards Rise Dance Studio and their holiday needs," Gulia said. "In the future we plan to run fundraisers and distribute them accordingly, 80% towards scholarships and 20% towards local youth recreational facilities."
Gulia said her own children, Gigi and Bubby love dance and sports, and she dreams that all children will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities regardless of the cost.