[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING OLIVE YOU BOUTIQUE

 Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the 
small business, Olive You Boutique of Richmond, KY, as the Senate Small 
Business of the Week.
   Nearly a decade ago, Katie Stallons and her sister Lindsay Wiley 
decided there were not enough clothing options for the ladies of 
central Kentucky. The sisters, both Richmond natives and alumni of 
University of Kentucky, decided to take matters into their own hands 
and open Olive You Boutique. Their mother, Jennifer Brandenburg, joined 
in their venture, designing the interior of the boutique, and now 
working in-store alongside her daughters and the other lovely ladies at 
Olive You Boutique. In their 9 and a half years of operating, this 
woman and family-owned business has seen plenty of growth and success. 
In 2015, they received the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Minority 
Business of the Year Award, and they are routinely voted as Best 
Women's Shopping in Richmond in local publications. Despite all this 
success, they have never lost sight of their mission.
   Owner Katie Stallons' fundamental goal for Olive You Boutique is to 
carry something for ``all of you'' lovely women of central Kentucky and 
beyond. The store offers clothes to women of all ages; one stop 
shopping for daughter, mother, and grandmother, during all seasons. 
Olive You Boutique carries a wide range of items from casual loungewear 
to cocktail attire and everything in between. Regardless of age, shape, 
likes, and dislikes, Olive You Boutique has something for every woman. 
Customers are known to travel from all over Kentucky and beyond, with 
the store offering items for every Bluegrass activity, whether it be 
Keeneland, Kentucky Derby, weddings, graduations, Easter, and more.
   Small businesses often have a very familial atmosphere, and Olive 
You Boutique is no exception. Whether you are greeted by one of the 
sisters in charge, their delightful mother and interior designer, or 
one of the other charismatic women working alongside them, customers 
instantly feel like they are at home. Without a doubt, Olive You has 
brought a fun and personal shopping experience to the Bluegrass State. 
From unique clothes to sweet gifts for any occasion, ``all of you'' can 
be sure to find something special when shopping at Olive You Boutique.
   The owners of the store keep both feet on the ground when conducting 
business and always look out for friends and neighbors. Often hosting 
``Shop For a Cause'' events in their store, they most recently teamed 
up with jewelry designer Kendra Scott and raised $1,000, which was 
matched by the designer, and then donated towards the medical journey 
of a Centre College student who had suffered a horrific spinal cord 
injury. Their caring spirit extends even beyond the Kentucky community. 
In 2013, during the week following the category five tornado that 
struck Moore, OK, the owners of Olive You Boutique donated 10 percent 
of all sales to the American Red Cross Oklahoma Disaster Relief Fund.
   In keeping their community in mind, Katie and Lindsay do not forget 
about other small businesses. Olive You Boutique is often the source of 
gatherings, with the owners inviting weekly food trucks to come offer 
breakfast or lunch to their customers. They also host trunk shows where 
they invite food vendors, florists, and other local artisans to come 
and sell their products alongside those found at Olive You. And if it 
is not a trunk show, it is a fun seasonal event to take advantage of 
community good cheer, often hosting summer soirees and other events 
around the winter holidays.
   Katie and Lindsay are two entrepreneurs who demonstrate the best 
values of a small business owner. Olive You Boutique is not just a 
women's clothing store, it is a site that fosters community involvement 
and outreach. It is a fun and friendly place where ladies can shop, 
where vendors can collaborate and where you can find local support and 
always a friendly face. Congratulations to Katie Stallons and Lindsay 
Wiley and the entire Olive You team. I wish them the best of luck and 
look forward to watching their continued growth and success in 
Kentucky.

                          ____________________