I've been asked, why "the charm shop"?
My grandmother was a strong woman. Newly married with children and living in a small town in the 50s and 60s, she didn't want to conform to the quintessential housewife role. Her first business venture was a dress shop in her basement. She would travel to New York City, buy dresses, and sell them from her basement dress shop to all the local ladies. She's always had an eye for fashion.
But it wasn't until she moved out on her own with her two children that she started The Charm Shop. She had just finished beauty school, and wanted to work for herself. She didn't have much experience in the beauty business. Still, she moved into a tiny apartment, and somehow convinced the landlord to let her rent the apartment next door and turn it into a beauty shop - which, of course, she named "The Charm Shop."
Recently my dad told all about her life. She hasn't been herself for several years now, but if she was I'd tell her how inspired I am by her life. I had always known her as the grandmother that took me shopping every year for school, baked me cookies every year for Christmas, travelled all over the world, and always had a bowl of fruit salad in the fridge (my favorite). And although she wasn't perfect, her story has taught me to go after what you want and never be afraid.
