Pout Baby Boutique

Holly Malheim and Kris Noonan have been friends for nearly ten years and have been together through college graduation, jobs, boyfriends, break ups, marriages, and most recently, BABIES. After having their adorable little girls, Isabelle and Lucy, Holly and Kris decided it was time to follow their dreams and be examples for their daughters that women really can have it all. Both being obsessive shoppers (yes, they know they have a problem), they realized the need for a boutique that can provide unique accessories and clothing with that personal touch necessary when shopping for the most important little ones in your life. They strive to provide quality items that are both functional and fun and also feature an entire “eco-friendly” section to help do their part to make the Earth happy.

What is the inspiration behind POUT?

Both of us have always LOVED shopping, and when we were pregnant with our girls, we realized that Fargo-Moorhead was missing a place to buy unique clothing and accessories for baby. Because Kris traveled a lot for work during her pregnancy, she shopped at a lot of baby boutiques in other cities where she was able to find a lot of really great stuff. We realized that there was definitely a need for a store like Pout and so began our journey.

Prior to the decision to open Pout, what were you both doing before?

Holly was a head teacher in the infant room at the YWCA shelter. Kris was a sales manager for the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitor Bureau.

How do you balance family with a new business?

The only way we are able to manage is with lots of love and support from our families. Holly’s husband Luke and Kris’ parents Dave and Marilyn have helped tremendously with not only the store itself but with our girls.

What has been the biggest challenge in starting the business?

FINDING A LOCATION! We naively thought that if we had the money to spend, anyone would rent to us. It didn’t take us long to find out that wasn’t the case. We ran into a lot of problems, not only with property owners wanting record high rent but even had a property that wasn’t willing to rent to us at all because we were a small start up business without a lot of money behind us. It is really disappointing that more property owners in Fargo-Moorhead don’t embrace new businesses and see the full picture and economic potential for our community.

Did you have business guidance and support through the opening process?

We have been lucky to surround ourselves with some amazing people during this process. So many people have helped guide us through this journey, and we wouldn’t have made it this far without them. We have some great friends and family that are business owners themselves who have provided not only great advice but referrals to other great people who have now become part of the Pout family.

How did you come up with the name POUT?

We actually kept a list for MONTHS with every name that popped into our heads. One day, the word “pout” showed up in a baby article we were going through, and it just jumped out at us. We knew it was the one. It’s playful and has a sense of humor which is exactly what we were looking for.

What advice would you give budding mompreneurs?

Go for it! This all still feels very surreal for us, and although it has been stressful and terrifying, it is also a dream come true for both of us. Don’t rule anything out—research and ask lots of questions—and as cliché as it sounds—follow your dreams.

Open date?

We hope to be up and running by the end of July.

4325 13th Ave S #6

Fargo, ND 58103

701.552.1664

Hours: Monday - Thursday : 10am - 8pm

Friday & Saturday : 10am - 6pm

Sunday : 12pm - 6pm