Folly Fashionista — A conversation with Kai Boutique
If you’re like many people who live on Folly Beach, you may reach a point where even the smallest trip off island seems like a major undertaking (especially during the traffic of the summer months).
I know many people who don’t leave at all, or at least try to minimize trips when they can. Thanks to Julia Leonard, island ladies now have an option to get quality fashion from the comfort of their beach house! Not saying anything against the T-shirts from the beach stores proudly declaring “I don’t need a tractor to pull hoes”, but we all like to dress up occasionally.
Julia lives on the east side with her fiancé Rick Stonecypher, their handsome son Kai, who turns two in a couple months, and their pets Sug (dog) and Chai (cat). Julia also works at Fred Holland Realty, but many remember her from her days bartending at the Drop-In Deli. I recently sat down with my future sister-in-law so she could tell me all about her online boutique for all you Folly fashionistas.
Foly Current: How did you find your way to Folly Beach?
Julia Leonard: I was born in Hyannis, Massachusetts and moved around a good bit during my childhood. When my mom and step-dad retired, they moved from GA to the Folly Beach area. I was going to college in Pennsylvania at the time, and decided to come visit them. It was October, and I left the snow in PA to come down here and swim in the ocean the same day. I said “What in the world am I living up there for?” Four months later I packed up all of my things and moved here. That was in 2011, and I’ve loved it here since!
FC: What is your favorite thing about the island?
JL: I like the laid-back atmosphere, and everyone here is super nice. It’s just a funky little town with good vibes!
FC: Tell me about your new business venture.
JL: It’s called Coastal Kai Boutiqe, and it’s an online store run through a facebook group that offers beachy, bohemian, contemporary clothes. I want to appeal to all ages groups and body styles for women. I got the idea because I was already selling my used clothes through an online app. I saw the potential, did some research, and decided to sell new clothes through facebook. It has been going great so far!
FC: Both you and Rick are entreprenuers (Rick has local advertising companies, Folly Mag and Follybeach.net) and starting a new business venture can feel risky. Any advice for others who are considering going into businesss for themselves?
JL: Don’t be afraid to take a chance and invest in yourself. Don’t be concerned with how others may judge you. I was so nervous starting out, but I’ve received such positive feedback. People have been so incredibly encouraging, I’m just so glad I did it.
FC: What is one of your best Folly stories?
JL: Some years back Rick and I were surfing, and there were a bunch of birds in the air. He made some comment about where there are birds there are sharks and shark bait, and about that time a small fish jumped right at me out of nowhere. I ninja-chopped him out of the way, and we paddled on. We laid on the beach for a couple of hours after, then came home and hung out for awhile. Later that afternoon I went to take a shower, and when I took my top off, the fish fell out. I’d had a dead fish stuck between my boobs for like three hours!
You can check out Julia’s fashion statements (other than the fish decolletage) by finding the facebook group “Coastal Kai Boutique”.
Writer Miranda Stonecypher is a local musician, mother, and freelance writer. To reach her, you can email her at mirandaalicejordan@gmail.com.
