The store sells apparel and novelty and gift items, including beauty products, stationery, accessories and home decor pieces. Culpepper purchases her inventory primarily from small business owners like herself or those devoted to a charitable cause.
Ally & Belle features styles and items that will last and appeal to a range of demographics, offering beard grooming products for men, clothing and cosmetics for women and shoes and school supplies for children, Culpepper said.
“Shopping should be simple,” she said. “It should be an enjoyable experience.”
Culpepper said she feels like being surrounded by other local businesses, such as Brandani’s restaurant and Fair Ladies nail salon, is a blessing because the owners all take pride in what they have to offer.
“Everyone’s so passionate,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Let’s do all this together—let’s make this city great.’”
That same sense of community was displayed last September when Ally & Belle held a Pay It Forward event, during which business owners rallied together to raise money for families affected by Hurricane Harvey. Culpepper said she plans to host a similar event at a later date this year to benefit Creative Dreams Outreach Center, a nonprofit youth development organization.
Culpepper would like to open another Ally & Belle boutique, but no matter what lies in the future for her shop, she said she wants her daughters to feel empowered to act on their ambitions and inspire them to achieve.
“Why not just give it a shot? If it fails, it fails, but at least I tried,” she said. “I want my girls to see that. I want them to see mommy gave this a shot. They feel really proud, telling people, ‘My mom owns a shop. It’s so cool. You should come in.’”
Ally & Belle
3340 FM 1092, Ste. 175, Missouri City
281-208-7755
www.allyandbelle.com
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Sundays and Mondays
