W
hen Karen Sackel France fi rst moved to Morgan
Hill seven years ago she was ready to start a new
chapter in her life. What she didn’t expect was
to open a fashion boutique franchise in her new
hometown, but that’s exactly what happened and France is happy
it did.
“It’s something I love, it’s in my blood,” she said, adding,
“I don’t know what it is, I connect with women, I think that’s why
I wanted to do it.”
The journey to opening Mainstream Boutique began soon after
her move to Morgan Hill when she discovered Andrea Leslie,
owner of Maison A. Leslie, who previously worked with France at
Scrapbook Island, was happy to welcome France to Maison A.
During this same time France partnered with Elaine Smith
and established Mixie Chicks, a mixed art class for adults. The
ladies traveled throughout the U.S. with their classes and it was
while teaching a class in Waco, Texas in 2017 that France first
discovered Mainstream Boutique. The boutique made such an
impression on her that she began researching the company and
its founder, Marie DeNicola.
“Marie says, ‘If you put God first, your family, and you help
others, the rest will follow.’ I said, oh my gosh, this is for me
because that’s my values,” France said.
France connected with Mainstream’s mission statement as
well: To Empower, Strengthen and Celebrate the Women in
Our Communities Through Fashion.
“I feel really strong about that mission statement,” France said.
“You want to take pride in what you wear, so my job is to put
[customers] in an outfit that makes them feel good, and how they
want to represent themselves. Now you’re facing the world on a
much more confident level.”
Last May, France opened the doors to her own Mainstream
Boutique, the only West Coast location of the clothing franchise.
On June 23 rd she invited the community to the grand opening.
France wasn’t disappointed.
Morgan Hill resident Lynn Altmaier fell in love when she first
walked into the boutique.
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