Meet Renee Kennedy Powers of Earth Baby Boutique

I met Renee Kennedy Powers last year at her boutique while working at a children’s event. As some of you may know, my day job takes me to interesting places where I get to meet amazing moms! Renee’s store, Earth Baby Boutique, is located in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Blvd. This place is a dream for parents who seek out eco-friendly products for their babies! The store carries a wide selection of cloth diapers, organic clothes, teething products & baby toys. Renee’s store also hosts a variety of community classes from knitting classes to learning the basics of cloth diapering.

Earth Baby Boutique opened its doors one year ago. What was the inspiration behind the concept of this store? Well here’s your chance to find out…please meet the latest Real Mom of the SFV, Renee Kennedy Powers!

Earth Baby Boutique is turning ONE!  (Image source: Renee Kennedy Powers)

How/why did you begin your business?
Renee: My youngest son Tannen was highly allergic to a chemical used in disposable diapers. We spent numerous hours at hospitals with doctors and specialists trying to figure out a safer alternative for my son. It was cloth diapers. I knew nothing about cloth diapers. I could not find anywhere in Los Angeles to find the education I needed to cloth diaper my son. I did a ton of research on the internet and all that did was overwhelm me and discourage me. I ordered some and used them based off the knowledge I gained online and through books I read. I drove a couple hours to some Natural Parenting stores and bought some cloth diapers and accessories. My friends and family could tell how much I loved cloth diapers and all the natural products I was purchasing for my son. That’s when I realized Los Angeles was really lacking what parents need to raise their babies a little bit cleaner…greener and natural. I decided to write up a business plan with the help of an old friend. I wanted to have more than a store though…a little community for parents looking to make some changes. Here we are!

As a working mother, what is one tip or piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?
Renee: Never to give up and keep your eye on the prize. Also, remember to balance your life as best as you can. You will have good days…great days and not so great! You can do this!

What do you like best about having a business in the San Fernando Valley?
Renee: I love my customers. I love their babies. The little community we have grown here in such a short time is amazing! I love seeing the local community shop small family owned brick and mortar over big box or online. It’s such an awesome feeling!

If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
Renee: Don’t feel like giving up when things get tough. There always is light at the end of the tunnel. Enjoy what you are doing..You are blessed to be in this position. Let go and Let God.

I love Renee’s advice about never giving up & to keep your eye on the prize. The fact that she also acknowledges that you’ll have both good & bad days is very important. Sometimes people gloss over the fact that it takes a long time to build your business & that things aren’t always so rosy. Renee keeps it real!

I think Renee’s unwavering support for small businesses in the San Fernando Valley, as well as for the families who make up the community is awesome! Guess what else Renee is doing? To commemorate Earth Baby Boutique’s one year anniversary, Renee is throwing a party on March 29th! Check out the invitation below & click on over to their event page for more details.

(Image source: Earth Baby Boutique)

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The image shown in this post is used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.