Long before we were small business owners, we were small business shoppers.
Our mom would dress us in matching outfits from local children's boutiques, our favorite toy store was tucked away in Austin's Tarrytown neighborhood, we have been getting our bags and gifts monogrammed at the same shop in Northwest Hills for as long as we can remember. Going to college in small town Mississippi really showed Connor how important small businesses are to a community, we cannot imagine Oxford without its locally owned shops. Even in a big city like Austin, small businesses are pockets of joy. There is something so special in knowing that your purchase is making someone's dreams come true.
We have been so blessed to be able to meet other small business owners over the years, it is so amazing to have a community of young women that lift each other up and cheer each other on! Here is a list of small businesses (and owners!) that we LOVE!
Beaded Blondes is Aggie-owned by sisters, Lauren and Lexi. The vision for the dainty gold rings now trademarked Beaded Bands, started after making some as an affordable way to accent their Aggie Class Rings. They have evolved their line to feature custom rings, necklaces, and beaded bracelets. We even carry some of their designs here at Moodz & Vibez and we also personally wear the Everyday Stack in Gold literally everyday!
Saturday Silks is a family owned brand down in Houston that specializes in game day silk scarves & twillies. Olivia is a fellow UT grad and runs the brand with her mom & aunt. The brands first design was for the University of Texas but they now offer a wide range of univerisities including our favorites, Ole Miss and Alabama, as well as other designs that celebrate their Texan roots and tradition.
Located in the heart of Downtown Tuscaloosa, Swag is a boutique marketing agency specializing in unique concepts, custom artwork, and customer service. Whether it be a custom screen printed t-shirt for a sorority or fraternity, a wedding invitation, a corporate brochure, or unique favors, they have you covered! Swag has the absolute cutest storefront and is a must stop if you are ever in T-Town!
Tart by Taylor was founded in 2020 by Taylor Dean, after she started a quarantine craft and made her very first pill coaster in her parent’s kitchen! The OG pill coaster is now one of 100+ designs they have, with acrylic coasters, acrylic trays, champagne flutes, and decorative book boxes that are all designed, manufactured and shipped in Dallas.
Mary Kathryn is a Mississippi native and fellow Ole Miss Rebel who started creating and selling art after her and her mother made a painting for her freshman dorm room in 2015. She poured her energy into her art business, and in 2020 she was able to take a leap of faith and begin a career as a full-time artist. She has created thousands of paintings for dorms, apartments and homes across the country! We have a few pieces of her work hanging in our house and apartments including the classic mini hearts and mini blue butterfly.
Dancer's Den is Austin’s premiere dance wear boutique and has been locally owned and operated since 1976. We grew up dancing at Shirley McPhail School of Dance and shopping at Dancer's Den and see the staff at SMSD and the store as our extended family. If you live in the Austin area and are in need of new dance wear or are looking for your dance home-away-from home, we cannot recommend this studio community enough!
Please share your favorite small businesses with us as we love to support other owners! And of course a big thank you to all of you who have shopped with us, y'all really are making our dreams come true!
