It’s finally here, friend!  The day we can FINALLY reveal our big news to you (and make sure to read all the way to the bottom for a fun way to get involved!).

 

 

My goodness, to think this all started as a uniform delivery truck turned boutique on wheels that we launched in 2015 as “The Flourish Market” is crazy pants.

 

The past 3.5 years of going from fashion truck to brick + mortar store to what we get to announce today has taught me one thing: it takes a village.  And I’m ridiculously grateful you’re in ours.

 

Okay, friend, buckle up for this fun news because it’s actually two announcements in one!

 

You didn’t know that when you answered that short 2 question survey in January you would breathe a special new light into our business and encourage us to play BIG, did you?

 

Well, you. did. ✨ And we’re oh so grateful!⁣⠀

 

Hundreds (and hundreds!) of you responded to these 2 questions as we kicked off 2019:

1. What do you feel like was missing from 2018 in your life that you deeply desire for 2019?
2. In a dream world, what could our team produce / launch to help you have more of what you deeply desire in 2019?

 

And here’s a summation of what you said.

 

 

As it turns out, the biggest thing lacking from your 2018 wasn’t a bomber jacket or cool new statement earrings (wink).  While you love our selection of items that all have a bigger purpose and allow you to create positive change in the world, there was a key theme…

 

The large majority of you stated the biggest thing you felt missing from your life was this:

 

Authentic connection and meaningful relationships with other like-minded women.

 

If you’ve been feeling alone in your struggles, in your business, or simply in your day-to-day life, you are so not alone, sister!

 

So what’s the hang up in building community with awesome women who truly get you + will champion you?  Here’s what you told us…

 

How?  …and where do I find them?!

 

As our team has planned this big next step, we’ve anchored our plans in your survey responses from January.⁣  You poured out your heart, and in turn, gave us a new heart and vision for how we could serve you.

 

That leads us to our big news, broken up into 2 different announcements!

 

 

Announcement #1: We’re Moving and Expanding our Footprint + Vision!

It’s true, it’s true! We’re moving to The Warehouse District in Downtown Raleigh, tripling our footprint to 3,500 square feet.  Our new shop opens on May 31st.  Yes, add us to the prayer chain at your Grandma’s church because we have A LOT to do in the next 53 days!

 

So, what can you expect in our new space?

 

If you’ve ever shopped with us locally, you’ll probably be most excited about this: MORE DRESSING ROOMS!  Can I get a hallelujah?!

 

Some other things you might be excited about:

• Double the world changing selection of everything: clothes, jewelry, bags, and accessories.
• A huge new “gifties” section: unique + meaningful finds for every woman in your life. We want to be your gift giving destination and we’re getting creative with new items we’re bringing in!
• A baby and children’s clothing + gift area.  It’s going to be so cool!
• More home decor from all over the world.
• Space to expand our online operations in a very special way coming Fall 2019!
• The coolest new design aesthetic to welcome you, combining both the mood boards below 🙂

 

 

But it will be what’s at the center of our shop that represents the heart of the expanded vision of The Flourish Market: you’ll find a coffee lounge!

 

We want our new lounge area to signify the importance of taking time to connect with other women.  I’ve always been so inspired by the women I’ve met through my travels in the developing world, and how they are committed to taking time to stop and connect with other women over a cup of coffee or tea.  This is a daily practice for them.  Life is never too busy to listen to what’s truly going on in the life of a friend or neighbor.

 

We are excited to have a gathering place for you to come hang out with friends before, after, or in lieu of shopping.

 

 

While we’re still working on the details for our coffee area, it will be a serve yourself, donation based system and your donations for your cup of coffee will go to a different local nonprofit each month.  Cool, right?!

 

And now for what we’re most excited about:

 

Our new storefront at 307 W. Martin St. will serve as the hub of our “Flourish Together” campaign, aimed at helping you to find community and create authentic connections with like-minded women in our city.

 

We’ll be hosting a slew of community gathering events in our new space:

• coffee + connection mornings / evenings with women in your current season of life
• potluck dinners + discussion with women interested in specific topics
• mom’s mornings out with childcare provided
• mother / daughter events for moms of teen girls
• interviews + fireside chats with inspiring authors and thought leaders
• yoga classes
• watercolor art classes
• a panel of female entrepreneurs sharing their real behind the scenes stories
• onsite group volunteer opportunities at local nonprofits like The Green Chair Project

 

…and that’s just the start of our Summer 2019 line-up!

 

  

Our new space is inspired by how women do business and life together in the developing world: in community.  We are looking to replicate what we’ve seen help the women behind our products flourish in life and in business — right here in our own community.

 

When I think of what our city and state (and world!) would look like when women truly connect, feel less alone in their struggles, and are supported in community, I see a future where we are an unstoppable force for good!

 

Which leads me to this…

 

 

Announcement #2: Introducing The Locality

The Locality, launching June 3rd, 2019 as part of our new home in The Warehouse District, will be a hub for 50 triangle based female entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate.

 

The new gorgeously designed co-working space will be a spot where absolute magic happens as we surround ourselves with other women courageously going after their goals.

 

I’M CRYING TYPING THIS.

 

Every single female entrepreneur I’ve ever coached or chatted with has used this word: alone.   I, too, felt like that when I first launched my business.  I felt lonely, and like no one understood my ambition or the daily battle it is to put yourself out there (and get rejected!).

 

…and then I found other entrepreneurs that just got it.  They absolutely got it.  They understood the daily fight!

 

And surrounding myself with these women daily through texts, FaceTime calls, in person coffee dates, and lunch meetings, has been the secret sauce to feeling able to conquer anything entrepreneurship threw my way.

 

Because entrepreneurship is no joke.

 

 

I’ve always loved Teddy Roosevelt’s quote from 1910…

 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”

 

Brené Brown furthers Teddy’s notion by saying:

 

“And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.”

 

Are you ready to choose courage over comfort?  Here’s the good news: you don’t have to step out into the arena alone.

 

 

At The Locality, you will be able to look around at the women out there in the arena with you. Marred faces.  Dusty and sweaty bodies.  Bruised spirits.  But they’ll have this special fire in their hearts just like you that keeps them striving valiantly.

 

In our (gorgeous + inspiring) co-working space, we’ll have a board that shows all of our fails of the week, and a board that highlights our successes – and we’ll celebrate it ALL, together.

 

We’ll be offering complimentary monthly member socials for networking as well as monthly development classes to keep us unstuck, but I think the most valuable thing on tap will be knowing you are so not alone.

 

Monthly memberships (all part time) start at $195 / month and include a dedicated parking spot in The Warehouse District and loads of other perks.  For more information, the list of perks you’ll receive, and to submit your interest form, click here!  We’ll be finalizing spots in the next few weeks so let us know NOW if you’re interested!

 

I’ll leave you with this, friend…

We are excited for this move and to join our friends in The Warehouse District – A Place at the Table, Morgan Street Food Hall, Junction West, and Vita Vité just to name a few.  And I can’t wait to introduce you to our female Designer and female General Contractor who have been working hard behind the scenes since February.

 

 

This is going to take a village to make happen in the next 53 days!  So many of you over the years have offered your help, and today we are extending an open invitation with super fun ways to join the craziness!

 

If you’ve ever wanted to eat food on the floor surrounded by a big mess with myself, my team, and other members of our community, this is going to be your chance ha!

 

Click here to see all the different ways to be a part of “The Move to Martin” and to sign up to be a part of the fun!  Our vision is to have more than 100 of our beloved Flourish Fam come together to make this move fun + successful.

 

When I look ahead to 20 years down the road, I don’t know exactly what we’ll roll out and who we will continue to become as a brand, but I know this: we’ll do it together.  In community.

 

We can’t wait to see you at 307 W. Martin St. over the next 7 weeks as we write this next chapter together.  Click here to let us know how you’d like to jump in and help!

 

With so much gratitude,