A Seymour business is celebrating the bond between mothers and their young children.
Ashley Bohall of Dudleytown started Sweet Tee’s Clothing three years ago when her second daughter, Eleanor, was born. The business allowed Bohall to sell children’s clothing from her home and online so she could be a stay-at-home mom.
“I started out just making them for my kids, and then everyone was asking, ‘Where did you get that shirt? I like that,’ and I was like, ‘You know, I might as well sell these,'” she said.
Bohall ended up purchasing a camper and started setting up at markets and craft shows around town.
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The opportunity to take the next step and open her own store was the result of another business having to relocate. When Bohall’s cousin, Kelli Jo Stuckwish, found a new building at 1501 W. Tipton St. in Seymour for her salon, Simply Chic Beauty, she invited Bohall to share the space with her.
“I had thought about it maybe years down the road when our kids were getting older,” Bohall said of having her own store. “But now was the best time. Our community doesn’t have anything geared toward kids.”
Knowing she needed to expand her offerings beyond T-shirts, Bohall made the decision to grow Sweet Tee’s into a full boutique with a variety of infant and toddler clothing, accessories, toys and clothing options for moms, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and leggings.
“I’m hoping people can come for like the mom bundle. They can get a shirt, leggings and a mom hat if they want,” she said.
Having outgrown Sweet Tee’s, Bohall came up with a new name for the business, Seedlings + Co. The store opened in late April.
“I decided I’m raising little seedlings to grow, and so it kind of came from the idea of kids being seedlings and growing,” she said. “I kind of felt like that was perfect.”
Besides her products, Bohall also is hosting several of her “maker friends” and selling their items in the store, including Pink Macaroon from Franklin and Sugar Coated Candy, Mellie June Bows and Wild Persimmon, all from Jackson County.
It gives Bohall a way to offer customers a wider selection and provide products that can’t be purchased at big chain stores.
“I want people to be able to come in here and feel like they can shop in town for their kids without having to go to those stores,” she said.
But shopping isn’t Bohall’s only goal for people when it comes to visiting Seedlings + Co. She wants to build a community of moms that want to shop local and enjoy each other’s company.
She envisions hosting activities like mom and child play dates, storytimes and a mom and buggy walking group.
“I can build a community around this idea, and Seedlings + Co. can go on to do more than just clothing,” she said. “Moms need support.”
As a mom of three, Bohall said her children are her inspiration for everything she does. Her oldest son, Sawyer, is 4, daughter Eleanor is 3 and son Silas is 1.
She also said Seedlings + Co. wouldn’t be possible without the love, help and support of her husband, Daniel.
“He kind of puts my visions into reality,” she said.
So far, Bohall said she has received great support and feedback from the community through social media and word of mouth.
“I’m hoping that people continue to support this little venture,” she said.
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What: Seedlings + Co.
Address: 1501 W. Tipton St., Seymour
Owner: Ashley Bohall
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays
Phone number: 812-525-7496
Online: facebook.com/seedlingscompany
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