BY AMY HILL
In need of some retail therapy? Shopping sprees without buyer’s remorse are possible when you support a local business that gives back to its community. Bird & Co. is a family-owned boutique located in Mocksville specializing in clothing, accessories, and shoes for all shapes and sizes. In addition to fashion, the boutique also sells unique home décor, candles, and gifts that you won’t find on your weekly trip to Target.
Sara King, founder of Bird & Co., was inspired by her husband Tyler to open up a clothing boutique in her bedroom as a part-time job in March 2018. With a degree in business administration management and a passion for helping others, Sara took a leap of faith, quit her job, and began working at the boutique full-time in June 2018, when the boutique established its first warehouse location in Advance. Only a few months later, in November, Sara opened the first storefront in downtown Mocksville. After having their third child in April 2019, Sarah’s husband Tyler joined Sara in working full-time at Bird & Co. By that November, the pair had upgraded the boutique from its small downtown Mocksville location into a much larger, 7,000 square-foot location in Mocksville.
Bird & Co. is not your average, run-of-the-mill boutique. What sets Bird & Co. apart from other retailers and local shops is its emphasis on giving back to the community. The boutique may be Sara and Tyler’s passion, but according to Sara, “If we weren’t able to give back, we wouldn’t want to own it.” Each month, the team at Bird & Co. holds at least one “give-back,” where a teen in foster care is awarded a shopping spree or children are sponsored for purchasing back-to-school clothes. Additionally, the shop sells monthly give-back t-shirts, with 100% of the proceeds going to a specific charity or organization. Not only do charitable organizations and those in need reap the benefits of Bird & Co.’s generosity, but customers and those who participate in supporting the boutique on social media are eligible for daily giveaways as a “thank you” from the team as well.
Prior to starting Bird & Co., Sara’s heart has always been with those less fortunate. In high school, Sara volunteered with special needs children and the Special Olympics and has always had a desire to work with children or animals. Now, Sara feels fortunate that she is in a position to provide for her family while simultaneously giving back – something she describes as a “win-win” scenario.
When determining which brands and products to sell in the boutique, a brand’s philanthropic resume is as important to Sara and her team as the brand’s quality of merchandise. Bird & Co. carries brands that use their profits for good, such as DIFF Eyewear and Bridgewater Candles. With animals being close to Sara’s heart, the boutique also sells merchandise by FarmHouse Fresh, a cruelty-free brand specializing in natural and organic products for skincare, bath, and fragrance. FarmHouse Fresh uses its profits to help rescue abused animals and relocate them to the animal sanctuary at FarmHouse Fresh Ranch headquarters in Texas.
Looking to spruce up your spring wardrobe? The shopping experience at Bird & Co. is seamless. Employees at the boutique love to personalize customers’ shopping experiences and help customers feel beautiful in their own skin. Want to shop from your sofa? The Bird & Co. app is free of charge and allows users to shop “favorite” items and place items on a waitlist. The app also alerts users of the boutique’s Facebook live streams, which occur six days per week.
In case you’re curious about what’s trendy this year, Sara and her team have seen a surprising uptick in cow print. “Cow print is the new leopard print,” says Sara. “We can’t seem to keep it in the store because it sells out so quickly.” Unfortunately, unlike cow print, it may be time to part ways with tie-dye, as the Bird & Co. team has noticed that tie-dye is on the outs.
To keep up with the latest news, trends, merchandise, and live streams at Bird & Co., follow the boutique on Facebook and Instagram, and check out the website at shopbirdandco.com. To contact the team, call (336) 753-8990, or shoot them an email at help@shopbirdandco.com.
