Sweet as Sugar and a building block in the Lee’s Summit community. A family business that is run by Lee’s Summit High School Senior Derebe Carr’s mother, and Junior Lizzie Cook’s aunt, Andrea Carr is the owner and operator of the successful local Lee’s Summit business: The Purple Hippopotamus.

“It’s a children’s clothing boutique, and we offer clothing and toys and books for ages newborn to 5t. And then in our middle space, we offer classes to support new families in the community. And so we have anything from music classes to reading read-alouds, and we have art classes, and then we’ll have some classes and opportunities for moms to have a mom’s night out, and then we also offer it to be rented for showers–for baby showers.” Andrea Carr said.

The children’s boutique aims to bring the Lee’s Summit community together. Working with  family is said to be more comfortable than working with people you barely know. It can lead to a very healthy workplace environment. 

“It feels great because it’s not awkward. So I feel like if I were to take a different job, it would have been awkward with a manager that I don’t know, or someone who I don’t know, having to move past the nerves to ask them a question. Or, ‘how do I do this?’ But I feel like I’m really comfortable with my family, so it’s not awkward if I’m asked, ‘oh, how do you do this again?’ And she’s just really helpful and very patient and kind with me whenever I forget how to do things. And I love my family, so I’m so happy that I get to work with them.” Junior Lizzie Cook said.

Working with family is said to make a more comfortable environment with a less awkward nature. This children’s boutique is a mother following her dream. 

“It’s kind of about, my mom just really following her dreams, ever since she was a little girl, she’s just like, ‘Oh, I want to open up my own store, and have a children’s clothing store’ and she is planning on having a cooking class, and then there is going to be a reading class for kids.’’ Senior Derebe Carr said.

One of The Purple Hippopotamus’ goals is to change the game and bring people together through the work of a children’s boutique. 

“My dream is that eventually I will be able to find some grants and be able to offer all abilities in here, not just to connect families that maybe their children have learning disabilities or something that challenges them. I have my daughter as a nanny for a family whose little guy is blind, and I would love to have, you know, a class that met ongoing for those kids, but I need to find, you know, teachers that have expertise in that area.” Andrea said.

The Children’s boutique is at work to make that dream a reality. The Purple Hippopotamus’ other goal is to have the people who shop support each other and all join together for the challenges they may face.  

“I think connecting those parents so they can support each other and they can have empathy for one another on what their challenges might be and problems they all have together.” Andrea said.