We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Duren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, appreciate you joining us today. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

Thank you for having me! Giving back has always been a passion of mine, but I wanted to find a way to integrate it seamlessly into the shopping experience at Cosmo and Capri.

It all started with a pop-up event at a bustling holiday location where I sold over 500 tutus within 6 weeks. That moment was a turning point for me. I saw firsthand how these tutus sparked conversations among mamas, grandmothers, and little ones – what we call our minis. From sequins to colors and designs, it was heartwarming to help them choose the perfect tutu that would bring the biggest smile.

Drawing on my background in corporate communications and marketing, it just came to me, I shifted the conversation to topics we’ve all experienced or know someone who has. That’s when my tagline of ‘Let’s Dance Together’ emerged. I remembered the struggles of mothers with postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, child loss, and miscarriages, as well as discussions about addiction and the search for empowering activities for daughters; I also remembered my own struggles. I decided to use my tutus as a platform to give back to these causes and initiate meaningful conversations.

My goal was for children to not only love their tutus but also proudly share how their purchase was making a difference in the lives of others. And thus, my Tiny Dancer Collection was born!

Jacqueline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Jacqui, the owner and one who handles all operations here at Cosmo Capri. Our journey started in 2018 as a trendy women’s clothing pop-up and e-commerce site. However, it wasn’t until 2019, when I had my first daughter, Capri, that I realized something was missing. The challenges I faced during my pregnancy and postpartum journey made me recognize the need to cater to soon-to-be mamas, postpartum mamas, and women with real bodies—women just like me.

Our boutique isn’t just about mama and mini matching outfits; it’s a “my mini + me” shop, fostering a community of mothers. We cherish the conversations about motherhood, teething, nursing, and all the ups and downs that come with raising little ones.

For me, this business is more than just a boutique; it’s my creative outlet that brings me true happiness. Through Cosmo Capri, I hope to inspire my daughters to be creative, kind, open-hearted, and fierce. My mission is to extend that inspiration to you and show grace and kindness to all women, especially Mamas.

If you come across me at one of our pop-ups, feel free to share your stories about your little ones, the moments that make you laugh and cry. I love connecting with our community and can’t wait to meet you.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

From the very beginning, I used Cosmo Capri as an outlet from having two babies to connect with other mamas. What I didn’t know was that, even though it was self-serving, it was actually helping so many mamas as well. I began to notice regular mamas at pop-up markets I would go to, who would come chat with me about how my girls were, the pain points of parenthood they were experiencing, and other things related to all things motherhood. A business CEO in my past once gave me advice that if I was going to start something, I needed to make sure I had a strong reason behind it, or it would be like everything else. I struggled with this for a while until it just clicked. It wasn’t a strategy or something I had to try to fit into my model; it was easy and who I was—a mama who loved being one and wanted to share that with other moms while making them smile through fashion and giving back. Today, I’d say 95% of our Instagram followers are retained from markets where we have met in person and have become extremely loyal to not only the shop but myself—it doesn’t get any more authentic than that!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Not many people know this, but recently, I was on the verge of opening our very first storefront on our 5th-year anniversary. I was over the moon excited. My husband and I met with developers, and I began sourcing for our grand opening. Many promises were made, and I was led to believe it was the perfect move for the future of the business until they pulled the plug at the last minute. My deal was handed over to someone unfamiliar with my model and what I’ve worked for, who made a decision in a 15-minute call not to move forward. I am a true believer in everything happening for a reason and am positive it was in God’s plan for that not to work out. But that’s not to say I wasn’t devastated. Every night before bed, I dreamed about what my first storefront would look like, how I would give back to the community, the events I would host for mamas and their babies, resources, and so much more. It’s not to say it’s never happening, just not right now. I know when the time is right, it will, and all I can do is trust!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cosmocapri.com
• Instagram: @shopcosmocapri
• Facebook: @shopcosmocapri
• Other: TikTok @shopcosmocapri

Image Credits
Mia Stay Gold | https://www.staygoldimages.com/