About

Meet Cheryl

Whimsy Willow Boutique Co-Owner

Cheryl is a mom of two active and fun-loving kids, Aidan and Lauren, and their beloved rescue pup Mazie Mae. Like most moms, she was searching for something that could support her family while giving her the flexibility to show up for the moments that matter most, from practices to games to everything in between.

With a background in marketing, a love for finding beautiful things, and a passion for decorating and bringing people together, opening Whimsy Willow was never just a business decision. It was the dream finally becoming real.

Meet Carol

Carol has been part of the Whimsy Willow team since 2021, joining us during our very first year. What she loves most about working at Whimsy Willow is the supportive atmosphere and the people she works alongside—her teammates have become an important part of what makes the store so special to her.

Her favorite part of the day is helping and talking with customers. While home décor may be her favorite, she admits she really does love a little bit of everything at Whimsy Willow! And when it comes to brands, Mud Pie is probably at the top of her list—although she says it’s hard to choose just one.

Outside of the store, Carol loves taking her dog, Wrigley, for long morning walks at Tri-City Park or Clague Park and spending time with her family. These days, that includes lots of trips to Delaware to watch her grandchildren, Caylee and Conner, cheer and play football—even if it means getting up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday!

Carol describes herself as positive, compassionate, and hardworking—and we think that describes her pretty perfectly.

Meet Tara

Tara has been part of the Whimsy Willow team since the very beginning, joining us when we first opened in 2021. One of the things she loves most about working at Whimsy Willow is the wonderful mix of customers who come through our doors—especially our many regulars. Over the years, she has even developed friendships with some of them, which makes being part of Whimsy Willow that much more special.

It’s hard for Tara to choose just one favorite part of the store. She loves when new products arrive, and Mud Pie is one of her favorite brands because they’re always coming out with something new and fun. With so many great products at Whimsy Willow, whether she needs them or not, some of them inevitably find their way home with her!

Outside of Whimsy Willow, Tara is obsessed with animals. If it weren’t for her husband, she says she would probably have ten rescue dogs and a Highland cow! She also loves gardening and is currently attempting to train her dog to pull weeds—with very little success. Tara also has a musical side and used to play the harp at church and sing in the choir.

According to her husband and best friend, three words that describe Tara are artistic, empathetic, and asymmetrical—which might just be the most uniquely Tara answer possible.

Meet Karen

Karen has been part of Whimsy Willow since the very beginning. In fact, she was our very first hire when we opened in 2021—and truly one of the best decisions we could have made. We’re incredibly grateful that she is still part of our Whimsy Willow team.

What Karen loves most about working at Whimsy Willow is the warm, inviting atmosphere—a peaceful place where customers can slow down, browse, and discover beautiful and meaningful gifts. Karen has a natural way of connecting with customers and sharing the stories behind our products, making it easy for her to help someone find just the right piece or gift.

Karen’s favorite part of the store is our Wisdom section, filled with meaningful gifts and inspiring quotes. She especially loves the pieces from Mud Pie, and one of her favorite gifts is the box of 365 quotes—a little inspiration for every day of the year.

Outside of Whimsy Willow, Karen has a love for photography, especially nature and art. She enjoys visiting art museums and photographing the statues and works of art that catch her eye.

Karen’s love of travel began when she was just seven years old, after her aunt gave her a folk doll from Holland wearing tiny hand-carved wooden shoes. That simple gift sparked her curiosity about other places and inspired a lifelong desire to travel and see the world. At 28, she had the opportunity to do just that while working aboard a cruise ship.

Three words that describe Karen:

Grateful. Peaceful. Curious.