"Being here for my children for as long as I possibly can is my ultimate goal.”
MEGAN PODOLSKY Building an empire is hard work, but Megan Podolsky’s effervescent attitude and boho chic style make it look effortless. When the busy entrepreneur isn’t spending time with her husband or picking up sushi for her three young boys, she can be spotted at one of her Old Town small business staples; resale shop Mint Condition, its companion retail store Mint Collective, or the one that started it all, 529 Kids Consign, an upscale children’s consignment shop. “I had the idea when I was a new mom. I liked to buy nice things for my baby boy, but he would grow out of them so quickly. It’s been over ten years and I have more than 3,000 consigners. It’s such a feel-good business,” Megan says of the shop. Before opening 529, Megan worked in fashion for a variety of iconic brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Calvin Klein. She returned to the industry in 2019 after purchasing Mint Condition with her sister-in-law Katie Coslov.
Speaking of motherhood, Megan is a huge advocate of the American Heart Society and the reason is simple: her children. “I work out and take time to make my health a priority because I want to stay strong for my boys. Being here for my children for as long as I possibly can is my ultimate goal.” A Pittsburgh native, Megan credits her success to her upbringing. “Growing up in a blue-collar town, I learned the value of a good work ethic. I left 20 years ago, but black and gold runs deep.” Megan also serves as the president of the Old Town Boutique District, a marketing collective that supports small, local businesses, many of which are female-owned. For Megan, the work is a labor of love. “It’s so empowering to be surrounded by such amazing women. I’ve made it my mission to build this community of women-owned businesses because I believe in this city. I love Alexandria.”
FEBRUARY 2021 • 47
