Dream

Carlie Wacker meets a business owner who literally (hand)made her dreams come true with a passion sown (sewn) early in life.

How and when was your business born?

Chuckles and Boo officially started in 2011 but I feel I started dreaming it up in my teens. I’d sew and make clothes for myself and my girlfriends and dreamt it would somehow serve me later in life.

Creating my own pieces just brought me so much joy and if I had a weekend off school or work I’d just sew my brains out, frantically trying to get something finished to wear the following weekend - it was the best high!

For as many hits I made, I also made epic fails! Scouring the op shops for vintage crochet fabrics and tablecloths I would make them into some kind of wearable creation.

After years in the wrong profession (secretarial / office duties) it wasn’t until I was a stay-at-home mum trying to contribute a little extra cash for the family that my earlier skills came to fruition. Ebay was my gateway to selling my handmade creations which then led to markets and then our own shops!

How would you describe Chuckles & Boo?

Very much a coastal boutique welcoming women of all generations, shapes and sizes wanting to explore their inner boheme.

We offer a wide selection of hand curated pieces from Italy, fine Indian cotton and some of my original handmade pieces made from vintage lace.

Describe your Chuckles & Boo clients

Every lady that walks through our doors is beautiful in her own way.

Every wrinkle, lump, bump or grey hair just makes them all that more stunning because they have their own story and uniqueness.

What do you love most about working and living on the Sunshine Coast?

Our beach lifestyle is one to be envied the world over. We have everything we need here from cafe culture to some of the best restaurants. It’s just been the most wonderful place to raise our family in a relaxed atmosphere and we can enjoy some of the best longboarding waves in the world! We feel very blessed.

What business advice can you share?

If you’ve got a burning passion to create your own unique look or if you are always finding yourself dreaming up ideas of what you could do to make an amazing little nook to sell your wares then go for it! Choose a mentor and follow them and their story - start small and that way you can grow with confidence.

Don’t let anyone extinguish that burning flame you have but also be humble enough to listen and learn from other business owners’ advice and take it on board.

What are you loving this season?

I am embracing the happy colour of yellow this summer. I think we all need that lift at the moment after such a tough couple years. As always, fresh, feminine and floaty lines and of course, a good dose of animal print!

Fave Five

Fave Hobby: Sewing/surfing

Fave Food: Thai

Fave Colour: Turquoise

Fave Saying: Treat others as you would have them treat you.

Fave Accessory: A smile