Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leah Blanchard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Leah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The first significant risk I took was deciding to have a child. At that time, I was filled with a mix of emotions – fear, doubt, but also a burning desire to make a positive change. I looked around at the world on fire and wondered if it was the right time to bring a child into it. However, I made a conscious choice not to let fear guide my decisions but rather to lead a life driven by love. The events that followed that led me to taking the second biggest risk of my life: opening a business as a single mother…

In the early years of motherhood, I faced a challenging trifecta of Post-Partum Depression, anxiety, OCD, all on top of being a neurodivergent person. As my daughter and I moved across various states and cities, I had to work tirelessly to build a sense of community. It was during our stay in Asheville, NC  that I stumbled upon ‘The Littlest Bird,’ a consignment store that specializes in sustainable parenting practices, like cloth diapering. I needed some help troubleshooting an issue with my diapers and didn’t have anyone else to ask. I reached out to them and found the support I needed. This experience served as a touchstone, and I began to dream of creating a similar space back home in Michigan.

Upon returning to Michigan and going through a divorce during the challenging year of 2020, I attempted a traditional job, but it simply wasn’t feasible for a single mother. The constant disruptions due to school/daycare closures, sickness, and weather constraints, etc. made it clear that I needed to create something different if I was going to survive as a single mom. I knew I didn’t have much capital to start, but I was determined to bridge the gap in my community and make parenting more sustainable for myself and others.

I started small with pop-up events, testing the market and gradually building a brand. The first event was a total flop. Only 2 out of 12 vendors/sellers actually showed up, and the folks that did show up to shop were not impressed. It could have been an embarrassing failure, and honestly it kind of was, but I knew that it was actually just a fantastic learning experience. It was so low risk, and at the time I really didn’t believe in myself back then. But! I did learn something about myself at that event. That I had a really good knack for knowing what would appeal, how to price things (too low and it seems cheap and won’t sell, too high and it won’t sell either.) In addition to that, I was able to “save face” in the sense that while those who came to shop the pop up event were disappointed, I was able to have conversations about how they heard about the event, why they came, what they were looking for, and get a really singular chance to gauge exactly what my community wanted and needed in second-hand children’s items. I took the objectively crappy event and used it as a compost to fertilize the new seeds I was planting.

In 2021, I took the leap after some coaching with another local badass business owner, Chloe Vanlente, to open my brick-and-mortar shop, and the response was overwhelming from the start. My little consignment store not only provided families with a place to buy and sell the items they needed but also became a hub for community building. I had incredible conversations with new parents, families who had just moved and didn’t know how to find their way around or meet people, connect people with local groups and events, and give families a different kind of space to spend their time that isn’t home, work, school or the library. It was above and beyond what I hoped for. It was the space that I needed when I was struggling to find connection, and it is such a gift to be able to be that touchstone, even if it’s just to have a space for a SAHM to get out of the house once in a while and relax.

I attribute the overall success of this endeavor to these three core values: sustainability, community, and connection. I found that many in Marquette and the greater U.P. shared these values, and I have the privilege of creating a space where parents can meet, share sustainable practices, discuss the complexities of parenting, and support one another through the joys and hardships.

In addition, we offer playtime and reading for the kids while their parents shop, and even allow staff to bring their children to work, making breastfeeding and babywearing a part of our daily routine. These inclusive practices have attracted like-minded individuals and strengthened our community bonds.

I may not be swimming in success, but taking the risk to open this business and create a different life for myself and my daughter has been the most rewarding adventure I’ve ever been on. I’ve made friends, started support groups, and become part of something much larger than myself. Every day, even on the toughest days when I feel like giving up, I still feel proud of myself and the business I’ve created, and I have the freedom to build a life that I love…that is something I only dreamed about before. Living this doesn’t mean those doubts are gone, but I get to keep showing up for myself.

Leah, 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 the founder and owner of ‘Little Agate,’ a children’s sustainable consignment boutique in Marquette, Michigan.

As I already mentioned, my journey into this industry began as a single mom facing numerous challenges. I’m a  solo, queer mama to one very sweet and precocious little girl, a proud member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Northern Michigan University Class of 2014 Alumna, a Yooper native from several generations back.

The primary goal is to solve the problem of accessibility for parents seeking eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions, but also to create a space that not only catered to parents’ practical needs but also provided a sense of community and support. This looks like specializing in offering gently used children’s clothing and shoes, maternity and nursing items, cloth diapers, babywearing products,  as well as group classes in these sustainable practices, toys, books, and much more.

We will soon be starting more family focused meet-ups, including an all ages “Traditions & Tales” monthly group to create a space to tell stories and learn about other cultures, languages traditions, family structures, identities, and generally encourage a space for diverse stories to be told. The other new group is a queer parent meet-up so that diverse families in our area to further the business’ mission of community and connection. I hope to make time to organize other support groups, but that will be later on.

I enumerate these things because I am a very value based person. One of the things that has made it possible to get through the times of extreme doubt or fear was knowing that I am able to fully live my values. I have created a way for others who share those values to participate in a unique kind of space that reaches beyond the concept of a shop and just be a place for people to buy stuff. As long as I am able, I will keep investing my time and energy to grow and evolve my business to that end.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Being a small business owner is undoubtedly challenging. One of the most effective strategies I’ve discovered for building strong customer and consignor relationships is by showing up fully as myself – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s not always easy; being vulnerable and putting my face, and my personal story, out there for all to see can be uncomfortable. However, I’ve learned that when I show up authentically and allow myself to be seen, it creates a safe space for others to do the same.

I once heard that ‘shame dies when stories are told in safe spaces,’ and as a parent, I know that mom/parent shame is very real. So often, we feel judged and pressured to do everything perfectly. That’s why it’s crucial to allow my own story to shine through and stand firmly by my choices and values. I want my customers to know they are safe to show up with their stories, even if they differ from mine. This  has allowed me to cultivate trust in my customer/consignor relationships, and those ripples of trust extend beyond my shop and into the lives of my customers. THey feel safe and relaxed, they find consistent brands and quality items, and then go out and share their experience with others. Word of mouth is primarily how I grow my clientele.

Part of creating that safe space is by telling my story online, sharing pictures of my face and my child, and opening up about our journey. I’ve found that people relate to parts of my story. Not everyone will resonate with it, but when I consistently share my story, it attracts the right kind of people who value what my business represents.

So, in essence, it’s about being genuine, consistently sharing my story online, and creating a welcoming environment that attracts the right people. It’s not just about growing a customer base but about nurturing a community around ‘Little Agate’ where authenticity and connection are at the heart of everything we do.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to have everything perfect from day one to open a brick-and-mortar business. The backstory behind this lesson is both enlightening and transformational.

I used to believe that in order to launch my dream business, I had to have every detail meticulously planned and executed, striving for a perfect, flawless start. However, it was during sessions with a coach and local business owner, Chloe VanLente of ‘Chloe’s Healing Arts,’ that I received a game-changing piece of advice.

As I shared my dreams and aspirations for my business with Chloe, she astutely pointed out that I kept listing reasons why I couldn’t pursue my vision, and that none of these reasons were substantial. Through our conversations, it became clear that I possessed the essential elements needed to begin this journey. I didn’t have to be perfect or have all the answers right from the start.

Contact Info:

• Website: Littleagate.com
• Instagram: @LittleAgate906
• Facebook: Littleagate.con/LittleAgate906

Image Credits
Adam from Brockit Photography.