“So many women are juggling responsibilities of raising children and running a household or taking care of aging parents. I wanted Ripple Boutique’s mission to support these women trying to find balance in their lives while pursuing their dreams as entrepreneurs,” explains Gail Harkness as to why, in 2020, she opted to start her own online boutique. 

 

Many people took advantage of enforced downtime in 2020 to turn a negative time into a positive path by beginning to follow their dreams and improving their quality of life. It was a time of soul-seeking and figuring out what is most important. “Ripple Boutique is a unique, online gift store (www.Ripple-Boutique.com) located in Gig Harbor,” Gail tells us. “It began in 2020, however, Ripple’s mission evolved to helping women entrepreneurs pursue their goals and passions in 2021.” For Gail, it was a chance to spend time with her aging parents, enjoy the convenience of working from home and to explore something new. 

 

“I retired to spend more time with my parents who, at that time, were living in Missouri,” she recalls. “When COVID hit, it became less safe for them having me travel back and forth to visit and so I needed something new to do with my time. I decided to challenge myself and start a business of my own. I knew, however, that it needed to be something that might also make small difference in the world. 

 

“As a single Mom for many years and an executive within a large corporation, finding balance between my career and my daughter had been extremely difficult.” Gail had been a General Manager at Costco and operated numerous stores in Montana and Washington. She knew retail, yet not so much online retail. “My background was brick and mortar retail, so I understood the business,” she says. “Going to an online platform and learning social media and marketing, however, was a whole new journey for me, but I have loved every new learning experience and challenge!”  

 

This challenge was well worth taking on for the reward of supporting her own chosen lifestyle post-retirement, and for helping fellow female entrepreneurs.  Each item’s description includes where the item comes from, such as Caasi Lee Designs located in our own Gig Harbor, Our Country Homestead in Selah, Washington, or Whimsies, farther afield in Fate, Texas. “All items are curated from women-owned businesses,” Gail explains. “Some of these companies are very small, while others have grown to be large industries, employing many. Each product sold brings these women one step closer to their professional goals.” 

 
 Gail runs Ripple Boutique mainly by herself, “with occasional help from my daughter and a few friends during the busy seasons.” Opening her online business has given her the flexibility and life/work balance to become the primary caregiver for her father, who now lives in the Harbor. “Having the ability to make him, and the rest of my family, priority in my life has been a blessing. I also love designing special gifts for others. It feels good knowing something you created might be the one thing that makes someone’s day.” 

 

Customers can go to Ripple’s website, www. Ripple-Boutique.com, to shop for individual gifts, select items to create a custom gift box, or to purchase a pre-made gift basket. “The most common purchases are custom gifts,” Gail says. “Customers select the items and I create a unique and personalized gift just from them. Others prefer to simplify by the process by giving a budget and allowing me to create from there.” The options are endless and endlessly pleasing. “I offer a wide range of unique gifts, specializing in home décor, spa items, candles, foods for the foodie, babies and weddings.” 

 

Why the name Ripple Boutique? “I had an amazing childhood growing up on a small lake in Missouri, enjoyed a number of years off of Flathead Lake in Montana, and am now blessed with living on the Puget Sound. In addition, my husband John and I are sailors and love watching the ripples as the wind powers the boat through the waves. I have always enjoyed living and playing on the water, so Ripple was the perfect reflection of my life.” 

 

“Finding a unique gift can be difficult and time consuming. Whether it’s creating something special for gift giving, or providing a little something fun for yourself, my goal is to be the place where people come for unique gift offerings. Simply contact me to create a personalized gift, set an appointment to create a unique gift box or basket yourself, or shop directly online at www.Ripple-Boutique.com.” 

 

Gail knows that starting out on a new path can be daunting, yet she is proof of the positive outcomes that happen when we take a chance on ourselves and prioritize our loved ones. “It can be scary, and a bit overwhelming, stepping out into a world you know nothing about,” she acknowledges. “I have surprised myself, especially at my age, on what I have been able to figure out and accomplish. I believe we can do whatever we set our minds to, even if it seems impossible at times. Personally, I didn’t want to look back years from now and wonder what may have happened if I had not tried.”