I’m pleased to kick off a new series featuring some of my favorite local businesses that cater to new moms. As a newborn photographer and a mom, I love to pass on great finds like this first local business feature: A Mother’s Boutique. It is the byproduct of owner, Judy Masucci’s transition into motherhood, as she saw a unmet need for clothing for breastfeeding moms. While there are lots of chain maternity stores, Judy noticed that nursing tops were very limited and after countless hours of scouring the internet for stylish nursing clothes, she decided to do something about it and launched her business in 2007. Today, she continues her quest for the best products for new mothers including nursing bras, breast pumps, and baby carriers. And she’s become a real expert in bra fitting and even offers virtual bra fitting online for moms who aren’t within driving distance to her Wexford store.

One of the things I really like about Judy and her store is that she only employs moms so when you are there with questions, there’s always someone with helpful insight. And her team of experts includes birth and post-partum doulas and a certified lactation counselor. One of the reasons Judy decided to leave her corporate job and venture into small business was to help other moms with breastfeeding. She had some difficulties getting started with breastfeeding her own son and wanted to offer support to other moms interested in breastfeeding. Each purchase online or in person comes with very helpful and beautifully-designed informational pamphlets about breastfeeding. From the boutique’s blog, to the facebook group, to the mom’s group that meets at the store, A Mother’s Boutique is much more than a retail store. The store also hosts childbirth classes, and a cesarian support group called ICAN.

Since the start of her business, Judy has developed a niche in nursing bras and offers an extensive selection. Oh, how I wish I knew about this store before. I am definitely looking forward to shopping there for our next baby. I told Judy that I felt like an absolute slob the whole time I was nursing because I just tried to make it work with the clothes I already had and really didn’t know there were so many great products out there that make it so much easier to nurse in public and still look good! Anyway, back to the bras, she offers sizes up through N cups, so everyone can find a cute, well-made and functioning nursing bra.

Her products are made all over the world—from Australia to Singapore, and are mostly offered by other small business. Judy said, “they’re all moms who became a mom, saw a need, and did something to solve it.”

“We try to focus on things that moms need,” she said. “My goal is really to support the mom in what she wants to do. I try to carry products to empower moms to meet their own goals.”

Just this week, A Mother’s Boutiuque was featured on NBC Nightly News in a story called Built for Success about women-owned businesses, which I think is a just one more reason that this store is worth checking out! You can check out a YouTube video of the show here. Congrats Judy!