Up Close & Personal with Becca Brisiel of Maude
Becca Brisiel, owner of Maude, inside her North College Avenue fashion and lifestyle boutique in Fayetteville.
Becca Brisiel of Maude (704 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR) is what you might call a trailblazer. When Maude opened in 2007, it was a one-woman show built on a dream and one of the first accessible fashion boutiques in the region. Today, Maude is surrounded by amazing shopping opportunities on College Avenue in Fayetteville and beyond, and we have Becca to thank for blazing that trail.
We recently had the opportunity to quiz Becca, the Original Maude Girl, about her store’s story, must-follow business advice and favorite ways to live local in NWA.
What is the story of the moment you first realized your love for fashion?
Growing up, my parents didn’t have a ton of money but my mom was always so stylish and great at making our home beautiful with what little we had. There’s a real gift to that, and it inspired me. I also remember having so much fun together shopping with my mom, going to vintage and thrift stores and hunting for a fun little item. I loved dressing up in her clothes, couldn’t wait to be able to wear heels. All of those moments from my upbringing really fostered a love for shopping and fashion and beautiful things. As I grew up, that always stayed with me.
Do you have advice for people who want to go into business for themselves?
Owning my own business had always been a dream of mine. In 2007, I was 29 and single, and I had just sold my house. I was planning to build a little dream house with the money I made from that sale, but instead I had a moment. I looked around at my life, realized I was in a very risk-free situation without kids or a house, and decided to invest that money in the shop. It was now or never on that dream to own my own business. I haven’t looked back since taking that leap. So my advice is really to go for it. It takes a lot of hard work, but taking that first leap is sometimes the hardest part.
Where did your shop’s name Maude come from?
It’s actually a family name. Maude was my great grandmother’s middle name and it is also my mom’s, and now my daughter’s, middle name.
What was your inspiration for creating the colorful Maude Wall?
“It was all a team collaboration and I can’t take credit for it,” explains Becca. Maude’s marketing manager a few years back, Jena Anderson, had painted black chalkboard and white squares on Maude’s exterior back wall as photo backdrops to use on Maude Instagram. As a Maude team, the group brainstormed about adding to it and painting different prints and/or murals but never really followed through with it. Then a year or so later Maude’s full time photographer at the time, Jo Johnson, suggested to Becca to paint the entire wall different colors and open it up to the community.
“After many discussions of what the color wall would be used for and colors people would enjoy + 1000 paint chips later the #maudewall is what it is,” says Becca. “And it’s constantly hopping with photographers, friend groups, dance squads, and moms with their littles. It’s been a great addition to our community. Plus, local artist Olivia Trimble is about to add some signage to the wall in the next few weeks and we are really excited about that!” adds Becca.
The infamous Maude ‘Color Wall’ provides creative inspiration and an engaging experience to the entire NWA community.
What do you love most about Maude?
I know I should say the fashion, but honestly it’s more about helping people. We have such an amazing team of staff in our shop, we really make it a point to hire people who also love to serve and help our customers. One day a pair of friends came into our shop, looking for a black dress. We helped them find a beautiful black dress and shared some fun and warmth in the process of trying things on and chit-chatting. Well, as they were ringing out, one woman mentioned that the dress was to be worn at a funeral. Her friend’s brother had tragically died that week. Without thinking, we gifted that outfit and shared a heartfelt moment. A year later, that woman came back into the shop to tell us that having that one burden lifted and to receive our love and generosity meant so much. It’s funny that something as trivial as fashion can make a difference in someone’s life, but it’s true. Many times people come in looking for more than just the clothes — whether they are mourning someone, going through a divorce, or just trying to feel good about themselves, I love to be able to provide solace in that moment.
“The Maude shop vibe is all about fashion and fun. A Maude girl is much more than her closet, but the one she has should be full of clothes that help her feel confident as she makes her dreams come true.” — Becca Brisiel, Original Maude Girl
What is a little known fact about you and/or your business?
Not many people know we give back a minimum of 10 percent of all shop profits to local charities, and have since we opened our doors. We have never — not once — turned down a charity looking for silent auction donations or charity items either. We often give to Mother to Mother Ministries of Northwest Arkansas (1104 South Walton Boulevard #102, Bentonville, AR) which seeks to help women facing barriers through mentorship programs, along with a list of favorite local charities.
Becca at home with her husband, Tim, and two children Willa (7) and Grady (5). Photo: Jo Johnson Photography
What are some of your favorite ways to live locally here in NWA?
Crown Beauty Bar (509 West Spring Street, Fayetteville, AR) is one of my favorite places to treat myself ... followed up with brunch at Emelia’s Kitchen (309 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR). When I’m not shopping at Maude, I like to pop into the Handmade Market Mercantile (1504 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR) and the vintage shop Grey Dog (824 North College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR).
I also love to treat myself to the arts scene. I think the Walton Arts Center (495 West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR) is incredible; the shows are just as good as being in NYC. And of course, I love to spend a day off at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR).
Words to Live By?
My screensaver on my computer says, "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." It's an unknown quote but one I really love and work hard to practice in my life.
