Photography by Sen Creative Co
I've said it once and I'll say it again - Hawaii is home to the bad ass boss babe! And Xochitl and Morgan are no exception. Sisters in law and besties turned boutique owners - these two have amazing personal style and recently opened a new, amazingly curated clothing boutique, Sister Sister Kauai, in the sweet little town of Koloa on the south side of the island.
Our story begins long before I moved to Kauai - when my first stop from the airport was a beeline to Java Kai Kapaa for an iced coffee, and a shopping trip next door at Shipwrecked Kauai - Xochitl's first boutique (she also own's Java Kai with her husband, Sean!). After years of visiting and finally becoming a permament resident, I became good friends with Xochtil and Morgan, and we started brainstorming about what a joint venture would look like. We signed a lease on a retail space on the North Shore, with big plans to have a hybrid clothing and furniture / home shop. But after over a year stuck in permitting, we felt like the Universe was giving us a a clear "no" - and sadly decided to bail on the space. While it crushed me at the time, I am so grateful that there were bigger and better plans for us (you know the saying - "rejection is Gods protection!") - I went on to focus on building my design business, and these sisters found an even better space in Koloa, right next to the future Java Kai coffee shop! I went on to design Xochitl's personal home, as well as the new Java Kai Koloa location, AND Xochitl and Morgan's new boutique, Sister Sister. The rest is history!
I sat down with the girls to talk about what it's like to be business owners and sisters, how to balance work and motherhood, and advice they would give to their younger selves. I hope you enjoy!
Photography by Bekah Cooper
Names:
Morgan N Garcia and Xochitl Maria Garcia
Where did you grow up?
MG : I grew up on the Central Coast in California, in a small town called Cayucos, One stop light. Right on the beach basically:
XG: I was raised most of my childhood on the Central Coast just south of Big Sur & then with my dad in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for high school.
How / when did you move to Kauai?
MG: I moved to Kauai with my Brother Sean and Xochitl my sister in law in 2007 - when they moved over I joined them! I was 24 and had no idea what the plan was next. I went back to Los Angeles after 6 months, and in 2018 I moved here for real with my partner Darcy, an abstract painter moved by the incredible landscape here. My dad had just passed away and I wanted to be close to my brother and be able to watch my nephews grow up - I knew the time was NOW!
XG: Sean & I wanted to leave LA after starting a family and it was 2008 at the very beginning of the recession. We looked at moving to the central Coast, Idaho, and then Sean’s sister, Morgan, suggested we consider Kauai where my mom had lived since the late 90’s. We had always dreamed of owning a coffee shop and a clothing boutique next door to each other and my mom was talking about selling her cafe (Mermaids Cafe in Kapaa). It just felt serendipitous. We took over Java Kai that next year & in 2015 I opened my first boutique, Shipwrecked Kauai, right next door.
What do you love about living on Kauai?
MG: I love Kauai because there isn't much here. There aren't many distractions so you get to know yourself, the community, the calmness, the green. The ocean is 5 minutes from me. It’s a very special place if you can stay. It’s an absolute gift to work and live on Kaua’i.
XG: the small town vibes, the green, the weather, the people, how clean & safe it is.
Talk to us about Sister Sister - what inspired you to open the shop?
MG: Xochitl and I have always wanted to have a store together for as far back as I can remember. When I moved to Kauai, she offered me a job at her boutique, Shipwrecked. I learned so much from her and we really work so great together, the next thing was… Maybe it’s time to open a second location and do it together! I just kept doing the next thing. It took years to land where we are. It’s so perfect.
What inspires the collection in the shop?
MG: The collections come to us every season and within a brands collection we get to curate our own favorites! We put a lot of time and thought into what we are putting into the shop , making sure it will go with the other prints or colors coming in from other brands. Our customers also inspire us - we listen to what people are looking for and with our preferences bring it in!
XG: I would say our individual personal tastes are a big inspiration - I am a bit more understated & Morgan loves some color. Living by the ocean on a small island is a big influence but we always had in mind that people should be able to take our clothing and wear it anywhere in the world. Basically, we buy what we want to wear!
Describe your personal style
MG: This is a great question. I would definitely say casual. I really enjoy colors, Prints, and Patterns. I put them all together. If I see something that’s unique, I get it. I wear what I want. Currently I'm wearing Cherry red pants and neon green socks with a White tee.
XG: I think at heart I am a classic girl. Black & white is my comfort zone. But I love a twist on a classic or an unexpected detail..
What is the most rewarding part of owning your own business?
MG: The best part is working with Xochitl first of all, and then we get to share all the pieces we love and what we would wear with others. Helping people find a special piece, or first swimsuit after they have just had a baby, it's so rewarding. I love hearing everyone's story, and I love seeing people enjoy the things we have thoughtfully curated!
XG: The most rewarding part of owning your own business is working with our customers & the absolute joy I feel when someone falls in love with a piece of jewelry or an article of clothing that we discovered for them.
Photography by Sen Creative Co
Describe one of the most exciting moments that you’ve experienced so far for your business
MG: Probably the first day, when we opened the doors and all the love and support from everyone who stopped by and showed up!
XG: I have to say I was pretty excited when GOOP featured Shipwrecked Kauai in their travel & shopping guide. And as far as Sister Sister goes, getting flooded in the first three months of being open was pretty exciting!
My dream for Sister Sister is that Morgan and I can grow and evolve together and continue to travel to find more treasures to share with our customers. AND to get to spend more time with one of my favorite humans!!! Maybe a second Sister Sister? Where should we go next??
Photography by Sen Creative Co
How do you balance being Moms and business owners?
MG: I love being a mom and I love working, I’m definitely not a stay at home mom energy vibe! I make sure to have special days with our daughter, Punkie. We do everything and run around and play and go to the beach as many times as we can in a day! It’s the best, and then I'm ready to get back to work. I have an amazing partner who I know adores our daughter and me so he's home with her after his day is done! It’s such a great balance. I can get most of my work done while I'm at work, so when I'm home I can be with my family.
XG: I have been balancing work & being a mom for almost 20 years and it is forever a juggling act. For me it was a slow transition back to working full time once I had my first baby. At the beginning, Morgan actually agreed to be our nanny for the first two years in LA. When we moved to Kauai my mom stepped in in a big way and helped us as we grew our family & our businesses. We have always put a priority on being home with our kids in the mornings before school, after school, & on weekends and somehow we have been lucky enough to pull it off.
What do you love about owning a business?
MG: It’s really fun. And even more fun doing it with family, it’s so easy! I feel very aligned with what I'm doing. I’m sharing a part of me with the world and it’s been received so well!
XG: What I love about owning my businesses is that I get to be fully immersed in two things I love so much, coffee & clothing…at home and whenever we travel. It’s always about coffee & fashion.
Advice for women who want to start their own business?
MG: Do what you want and keep the focus on what you’re doing. And support other women and business’
XG: Don't be afraid And talk to other women in business!!!
What are some pieces that are on your summer closet wish list?
MG: My new cherry red denim pants, Little Palma Island Life tee, Checkered woven Grand Fanny - Tube one piece in Abyss by toast Freda Salvaor studded Sandals.
XG: A Natalie Martin striped dress from the Summer Capsule Collection, Frēda Salvador Sandals, OAS Merlot colored full piece , & an Ephemera Gingham Bikini.
Describe a perfect day off on Kauai!
MG: Wake up early, always, work out, food & coffee from Java Kai, and hit Tunnels with the family all day, on the way back hit the Dolphin for sushi! Done.
XG: Coffee at sunrise, a workout at The Playground 808, a few hours at the beach or a hike , & dinner with family & friends.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
MG: Go slow, feel the feelings, and finish college.
XG: I would absolutely tell my younger self to travel more!!!
What are you most proud of?
MG: That I keep showing up even when I feel nervous, overwhelmed or doubtful. I have cried many times with Xochitl, and once I let the release out I feel better and keep moving forward. And also building a wonderful healing life here with my partner Darcy and our daughter Punkie. A dream.
XG: I am most proud of my three boys and the life my husband & I have been able to create together.
You can find us in Old Koloa Town on the south side of Kauai,
online at www.sistersisterkauai.shop, & @sistersisterkauai
Comments