IN BLOOM

“My days are like a movie on fast-forward,” says Amber Lease, owner of Wildflower Women and Sandbox Kids boutiques in Los Olivos, Pismo Beach and Orcutt. Fittingly, as the owner of three clothing stores, she is also the mother of three boys. Being a mother both inside and outside of her shops keeps her quite busy as she fits a day’s worth of work in between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. She finds it incredibly fulfilling to watch customers interact with her employees, whom she mentors daily, yet her boys are a priority.

One could say retail raised, nurtured and shaped Lease. When she was growing up on California’s Central Coast, her family owned three stores. She went on to school for business and interior design, followed by a brief stint in the corporate world as a visual merchandiser, before returning to run her family’s business then starting her own.

“I opened Sandbox Kids in 2009, shortly after having my second child. I had all the knowledge and tools from working so closely with my parents, and the insight from corporate leaders, that it just felt natural,” Lease explains. Yet, her children’s store was just a stepping stone to her beautiful, bohemian Wildflower Women boutiques. Lease explains, “There was always one common complaint amongst the ladies as they shopped for their children and grandchildren—there is nowhere for us to shop for quality items for ourselves.'' And, there was her answer! With this epiphany she launched the first Wildflower Women store in 2012.

Since then, Lease has been rewarded for her hard work, in more ways than one. She describes the grand opening of her second location as one of the most significant events in her life. “It was a moment where I had to step back and pinch myself at the fact that women wanted more of what I had to offer,” she says. “Brick and mortars are up against the convenience of the online world. With that in mind, we’ve created a comfortable experience for our shoppers. It’s a feeling, a sense of connection, a sincerity in the conversation. It’s not just about the products we provide.'' Most people have 5-year, possibly 10-year plans, yet Lease goes off her gut-instinct and feeling with the goal of tailoring her stores to her customers’ desires.

Timelessly encapsulated in each Wildflower Women boutique are beautiful classics that never go out of style. She describes the curations of clothing, shoes, and accessories, “We carry pieces that can remain in your closet season after season. Staples are essentially the foundation to any good wardrobe and with them you can build a sense of style that remains effortless.” As a mother, she acknowledges how little time can be allocated to figuring out what to wear in the morning. Thus, she creates her collections around what she imagines herself wearing and her customers as well: “Effortless with a little flair.” Her current must-haves right now? A classic western bootie, coupled with a matching belt. “I could probably wear my suede booties every day if I would allow myself to,” she confesses.

Amber Lease gives no indication of stopping anytime soon. Even with three sons, this girl boss plans on opening additional stores and continuing to grow the brand. All the while, making women feel their best remains at the heart of her work. Lease’s stores are extensions of her compassion and thoughtfulness, and with each one she opens, she learns something new about herself while providing a memorable customer experience. *