Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Caradonna
Hi Mia , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I’ve always been drawn to design and have an eye for fashion. To me, there are few things more satisfying than stepping into my closet and pulling together pieces to create a stylish outfit that makes me feel confident and excited to face the day. After college, I decided to go the corporate job route, where I quickly got to work crunching numbers and wrangling spreadsheets – but I always had the desire to create something of my own that I’m passionate about. It’s this passion that led me to the adventure of opening Magari Boutique. Paying homage to my Italian roots, I chose the name “Magari” which is the Italian word to express a hope or desire. And this boutique is just that – a business born out of a desire to do something different, create something of my own, step outside of my comfort zone and focus on my passion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I decided to start Magari, I had no prior retail or entrepreneurial experience. I just decided I was going to do it, and I took small baby steps every day to figure it out. While the entrepreneurial journey is not always easy, I’ve learned to give myself grace through the process and to be OK with not having all the answers. Even now, I still continue to learn and grow every day – and that’s OK. It’s a lot of trial and error, constantly trying new marketing tactics, new styles and new approaches to see what resonates with our customers. I’ve learned that it’s important to constantly evolve and if a certain strategy isn’t working, then move onto the next! Being the owner and sole employee of the company is also a challenge in itself. Wearing all hats of the business is a lot to juggle and balance, but I’ll say it’s been a challenge in the best way possible. While there have been moments of overwhelm, doubt and discouragement, there have also been many moments of immense gratitude and excitement about what I’m building with Magari. And that’s what keeps me moving forward!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My vision for Magari is to empower women to express their unique style with confidence. Your outfit choice goes beyond just fashion – it’s a powerful tool that can significantly influence your mood and confidence levels. When you wear something that you love and that makes you feel good, it can give you the confidence boost that you need in order to conquer any challenge ahead. That’s why I’m passionate about helping women find that feel-good outfit that makes them radiate with confidence. I enjoy working with women through 1:1 styling sessions where I can provide hands-on recommendations on styles and sizing, as well as offer suggestions on how to pair items to create complete and stylish looks. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the smile that emerges on a woman who just found her new favorite outfit!
At Magari, we also understand the importance of wanting to keep your spending in check, without sacrificing on quality. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending money on new clothes only to end up tossing them after one wear. I can relate to this experience first-hand. That’s why when I started Magari, I knew I wanted to focus on two things: quality and affordability. We take care in hand-selecting materials and styles that last – to help you build that closet of your dreams. We strive to offer a collection of closet staples and seasonal trends meant to be mixed and matched to create looks appropriate for all occasions that will carry you from season to season.
In addition to our online website and pop-up shopping events around the Charleston area, we also offer 1:1 in-home styling sessions where we hand-select pieces based on your sizing and styling preferences and provide hands-on styling advice. Additionally, we offer private party pop-up experiences where the host can invite their girls over for a fun, private shopping party with refreshments and an exclusive group discount!
Ultimately, what I believe sets us apart is that we strive to provide a shopping experience that goes beyond just selling clothes by connecting with our customers through local events and personalized services, ensuring every interaction and purchase feels meaningful. We aim to be a continued part of our customers’ life journeys, helping them to express their individuality with confidence.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I grew up in the Boston area, and every year since I can remember we would take a summer family road trip to Cape Cod to visit Provincetown at the very tip. We created so many memories on this trip over the years, it’s an annual tradition that I’ll always cherish and hold near and dear to my heart. While it was only a 2 hour drive from home, it always felt like a true getaway, and as I grew older it became a home away from home. Over the years my family also had the pleasure of sharing this special trip with extended family, friends and significant others. I know the shops, restaurants and streets by heart and look forward to visiting my favorite spots every year. From drive-in movies, beach trips, and sunset rides through the dunes to endless shopping, unique restaurants and cocktails on the water, we always found endless ways to enjoy this small town. Even after moving away from home for college, I always made an effort to make it up to Provincetown every year – if only for a day trip. And now in my 30’s and living even further away in Charleston, I still make every effort to make the trip. It doesn’t quite feel like Summer without a visit to Cape Cod and Provincetown!
Pricing:
- Almost all styles are $150 and under
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopmagariboutique.com
- Instagram: @shopmagariboutique
- Facebook: @shopmagariboutique
