Meet Emily Brooker, the owner of Esme and Elodie in Renton, Washington. She founded the store to create a home for trendy, boho, size-inclusive clothing at affordable prices. Emily started her journey in the fashion world as a plus-sized woman trying to find confidence after having children. Her studies in fashion design and merchandising helped her create the Esme and Elodie brand and launch her business in 2021. Emily’s online boutique expanded into a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Renton, and she hopes to create a welcoming community of local fashion-loving curvy women.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your favorite part about the community your business is in & why?
I love that Renton has a small-town vibe to it. The residents are really really behind small businesses and support the shop local cause. We have a big heart in a small town ❤️
Why is it important to you and your business that people #SpendLikeItMatters?
I think supporting small businesses is important to our community and financial ecosystem. Keeping money and resources as local as possible encourages people to pursue their own business ideas and turn them into a reality.
What’s something your customers may not know about you or your business?
Esme and Elodie originally started online before it became a brick-and-mortar boutique. I was selling women’s and plus size clothing from a small bedroom and eventually my garage. It was a crazy time and my family was amazing dealing with all my packages and shipments so I am definitely grateful to have a designated space in downtown Renton to call home.