Once upon a time, Grit & Grace Boutique was only a dream. It was written about on cocktail napkins and discussed over weekends of champagne. But in November of 2015, co-owners Amanda Madden and Shauna Cotton opened their doors. They were surprised to find that those doors just kept opening.
Customers immediately showed excitement over the clothing, accessories, and gifts. Along with the unrelenting love and support Madden and Cotton have been provided by their husbands (aka, the Grit & Grace Guys), those initial customers are what kept them going. The boutique continues to evolve.
“When we got the keys to our first store, it felt like we had climbed Mount Everest. If you have never had to maneuver commercial real estate as a woman, consider yourself blessed,” says Madden. “We got the keys and took our husbands with folding chairs and a bottle of champagne, and toasted to the beginning of making our dreams a reality. We were naive and so excited, even though we had no idea all the things that were to come.”
“We look back now and can only laugh at our first market experience. In true us fashion, we dressed like we were going to a business meeting on Wall Street, not having any idea that we would walk miles and miles,” says Cotton. “That night, a rep we work with suggested a restaurant in Dallas that he thought we would enjoy. It must have been fate. We melted our exhausted selves into the booth, ordered our favorite cocktail—cucumber martini—and toasted to a job well faked and then laughed. A tradition was born. After every buying trip, we still go to that restaurant, order the same cocktail, and eat the same meal as that very first time.”
Customer service has been a big factor in the success of Grit & Grace. Madden and Cotton love becoming part of their customers' lives in more ways than just offering personal styling help. They have been through divorces, weddings, babies, moves, cancer, losses, and seven years of holidays.
The buzz of the holidays is something that both Madden and Cotton treasure. It's the time of year when they get to help their customers find that perfect present or party outfit. The women even host a Sip & Shop event in early December, which is their favorite night of the year. But spending the holiday season with their own families is of the utmost importance, as well.
“My family has a tradition of getting the holiday pajamas the night of Thanksgiving so that we can wear them all holiday season long. Then, we curl up to watch our first Christmas movie of the season,” says Madden. "I make my family follow a strict rule of no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, though. When we are driving home from Thanksgiving, then the gloves are off and we blast Christmas music all the way home.”
“We celebrate with our extended family the week before Christmas,” says Cotton. “The best part is our family white elephant gift exchange. It gets aggressive—no one holds back and all bets are off. It is a huge rite of passage in our family when you are old enough to join the exchange.”
Get ready to fulfill your holiday traditions with the help of Grit & Grace Boutique! Head to 10526 West Parmer Lane, Suite 506 to check off a box on your shopping list.
Seasonal Must-Haves
Shauna Cotton and Amanda Madden love any chance they have to celebrate. They are the most in their element when they have sparkles and champagne. So, the two wonderful women behind Grit & Grace Boutique want to help you and yours have a holly jolly Christmas! We bring you a guide to their latest and greatest gifts for the season.
1. Cozy Sweaters
2. Glasshouse Fragrances
3. Festive T-Shirts
4. Rustic Cuff Jewelry
5. Mud Pie Kitchen Decor
6. Chanel Candles
7. Party Dresses
8. La Chatelaine Hand Creams
9. Stylish Skirts