Leaping Lizards Boutique
Leaping Lizards BoutiqueIt took becoming a grandmother for Liz Larkin to find her career path. "Our daughter Emily became pregnant with our twin grandsons and when they were first born, she was buying cute onesies from people and paying upwards of $30 for customized onesies," Liz says. "She said to me, 'If you buy a Cricut you could make some for the twins.'" Which is exactly what Liz did. Beginning in 2019 she started designing custom gear for her grandsons. "It was in January of 2020, Emily suggested I should go into business. It was pink shirt day and Emily suggested I put a message online telling people I could make pink shirts for antibullying, and it just took off from there."
That was when Leaping Lizards Boutique was born. Leaping Lizards is a home-based boutique in Brights Grove. Liz has taken over two rooms in the basement for her blossoming business and she also sells her goods at Parallel Junction, an artisan shop in Brigden, ON. "It is a good way for artisans to show off their work and get their names out there so they don’t have to only rely on custom orders. I also have a few meetings set up to hopefully go into Grand Bend this year, too."
Prior to starting Leaping Lizards Boutique, Liz jokes that she was, "a homemaker, wife, mother, cleaner and dishwasher — a jack of all trades." Now she’s hoping to tackle the world. "I have visions of being a world-wide business one day," Liz proclaims. "Shipping is crazy right now, so we’re trying to keep it to just North America. I want to be a household name one day, even if it’s only in Southwestern Ontario." While Liz originally was focused on making cups and shirts, she has now grown into custom signs with the help of her husband. "One day a customer messaged me asking if I do signs. I replied that I don’t, but when I showed it to my husband, Rob, he said, 'I can do that for you.' Now he’s my full-time wood guy. Everybody calls him Mr. Lizard."
Liz credits her daughter Emily with coming up with the name for her business. "I have lots of nicknames with my name being Liz — Lizzie, Lizzie-Lou, Lizard," Liz says. "Our grandsons call me Granny Lizard. So Emily said, 'Why not call your business Leaping Lizards,' and I thought that was great." There are many rewards for Liz when it comes to running Leaping Lizards Boutique. "The biggest thing is the happiness of the customers," Liz says. "People send me pictures of their parents or kids with big smiles on their faces while wearing the shirts I have made. Just putting a smile on somebody’s face is very rewarding." The extra income from her work is also a benefit. "Now, if the grandsons want a new bike, the grandsons get a new bike. A well-deserved reward for inspiring Granny to get into business!"
Related Stories
Dean Holtz Photography
Using stunning, professional images for real estate listings has proven to help sell houses. Dean Holtz Photography has developed an expansive portfolio of services including ambient blended photos, aerial images using the latest drone technology and cinematic videos. In 2017, he launched the 3D int
Sav-vy Solutions
Tyler Savage didn't know it at the time, but a bad knee that cost him one career turned out to be the open door that led him to another. The owner and operator of Sav-vy Solutions was following in the family tradition of working in the construction industry, but a nagging knee problem forced him t
Cutting Edge Power Equipment
"Twenty years ago I set out to establish a new outdoor power equipment business, different from the industry norm," says Bart Verge, owner and president of Cutting Edge Power Equipment. "I wanted an upscale retail outlet with premium, high quality products and a supporting service center." Tradition
ActivEars Hearing Centres
Christine Feige is celebrating ActivEars Hearing Centres this year. During their 25th year, they want to thank the local community for all their loyal support. "Our team guides people to make the most informed decisions for their...
Related Stories
The Raven Heart
For Ashley Smith, yoga became more than a practice. It became a lifestyle. "It was only three and a half years ago that I started yoga," says Ashley, who now owns and operates The Raven Heart, a Sarnia-based healing sanctuary that offers yoga and meditation among other holistic services. "Our
When it comes to the success of his business The Country Butcher, Doug Waller credits his wife Sue's stance of go big or go home. I give all the credit to my wife, Doug says. When we sat down a few years ago to have the discussion about moving The Country Butcher to its current location o
Father & Son Financial
Some sons grow up hoping to one day walk in their father's footsteps. Nobody knows that better than Spencer Steinman who, after starting his career with Sun Life Financial in 2015, joined a partnership with his father, Steve, in 2018. That is when they formed Father and Son Financial which recently
Sarnia Auto Wreckers
Sarnia Auto Wreckers is celebrating ninety years in business. Earl and Lorraine Williams purchased the business from the original owner, Max Slobasky, in 1974. "Earl worked at the Foundry and I was a hairdresser at the time," Lorraine recalls. "Earl was born with a wrench in his hand, so this"
