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

Melissa and Avery, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Well my mom and I have always loved fashion and staying current with style trends. With that being said we both have that desire to find pieces that represent us individually. One day my mom just said “lets do this!” don’t wait and let’s not second guess. If we think too hard, we will never do it. Some risks are just meant to take. We both are very motivated individuals and have a vision. This vision compliments both of us. We both like to find the latest styles and trends, whether it be our fashion or home decor. We strive to find higher quality pieces at an affordable price. If we get something that isn’t to our standards, we won’t sell it. We also try to find pieces that are unique.  When we receive our merchandise we inspect it to make sure its only good quality pieces that fit our standards or we won’t sell it. We are very committed to a higher standard quality backed up by exceptional customer service. On April 17th 2022 AVE + LIV launched. We only had around 8-10 pieces but felt encouraged with our online debut! Come midsummer Missy decided to jump right in and participate in the KC Holiday Boutique in Overland Park, Kansas in November. The response was more than we could ever of imagined. Fall of 2023 now you can find AVE + LIV to be at the Des Moines and Overland Park Holiday Boutique.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

AVE+LIV is an online clothing boutique that specializes in fun & feminine clothing for women. We are a mother/daughter duo and started our business in April of 2022.

Growing up I was always considered a “fashionista”. I loved curating outfits and expressing myself through clothing. My mom Missy and I have always been like best friends and wanted to explore the idea of working together. I always dreamed of one day owning my own boutique where I could hand select my favorite pieces and create a brand revolving around things I loved. My mom helped my dream become a reality and now our little business is one year old!

The name AVE+LIV is a combination of myself (Avery) and my younger sister Olivia, hence the “Liv”. We wanted our business name to be meaningful and represent our strong family bond yet still feel vibrant & youthful. I currently work full time at a marketing agency in Kansas City, my mom, Missy, is a Flight Attendant, and my sister Olivia is a Mother & Baby nurse. When we are not working our day jobs we are busy fulfilling orders & brainstorming new collections.

At AVE+LIV we strive to set ourselves a part by letting women channel their inner feminine side. We love dainty florals, bright colors (especially pink), and flattering silhouettes. We take pride in selecting high quality pieces that are meant to last in your closet. AVE+LIV has a variety of trendy clothing for any occasion. If you’re looking for that perfect formal dress, vacation/bachelorette party outfit, or sorority function – you are sure to find something you’ll love!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Being a business that operates only online it is vital that we utilize social media & build relationships with both current and potential customers.

I currently work full-time at a Marketing Agency in Kansas City, MO. The skills I have learned about social media strategies have definitely helped our brand take off on social media. Our social media profiles allow us to showcase our product and bring it to life. For collection launches, we love curating stylized photoshoots to help potential customers see our product in action, rather than just showing a stock photo. We want our products to represent the fun & feminine personality of AVE+LIV. ,

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner is my mom, Missy. We have always had a best friend-like bond. From being a little girl to now in my 20’s my mom and I have always loved fashion and exploring new trends. My younger sister, Olivia occasionally will help us with product buying/launches.

Going into business with family has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Sharing the journey of starting a small business with the people you love most is very special!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aveandliv.com
• Instagram: @shopaveandliv
• Facebook: AVE + LIV
• Other: TikTok @aveandlivboutique

Image Credits
Photography: Sydney Schneider