Q: Why did you start this company and when?
A: I’ve always dreamt of having my own company, and I chose retail because I had spent twenty-five years in the industry. The concept for Club Libby Lu really gelled in my mind when I was driving my daughter around weekend after weekend from one birthday party to another, and I realized that parties were a much bigger deal than they were when I was growing up.
That realization combined with an uncluttered marketplace spelled huge opportunity to me. When I came up with the idea, there were a lot of retailers targeting the teen market, but no one was narrowing in on “tweens,” so I decided to go for it.
The first Club Libby Lu opened in August 2000 at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois. Club Libby Lu has since grown to ninety-three stores nationwide.
Q: What were your initial goals?
A: I always intended to build a national retail chain—something that resonated with tweens. I wanted to make Club Libby Lu a really fun place for girls to be themselves and have fun being little girls. From the outset, we created a protective environment where it’s okay to be silly and yourself.
Q: Describe yourself and your family. What is your background and how does it relate to your company?
A: My very supportive husband and I have two “tweenagers,” so a lot of my inspiration and ideas come from them and their friends. Tweens are part of my life in so many ways. So given my background in retail and my role as tween mom, I think Club Libby Lu was a natural fit for me.
Q: Have you ever experienced an epiphany that changed the direction of your life?
A: I think it was when I was driving my daughter around to all those birthday parties, before I started the company. I just remember thinking how I thought my one big party when I turned twelve was such a big deal, because I got to have a sleepover with a couple of my friends. We celebrated all my other birthdays growing up by having family over for my favorite dinner and a cake. I knew times were different but didn’t really “get it” until I saw all these elaborate parties for little girls.
