Change Boutique

Nikki Anderson is a Madison resident who was looking to add creativity to her devoted life of social work. As the ideas started to flow, it hit her; she wanted to start a business that would push women forward while also combatting poverty. The catch was, she still needed enough personal time to be able to properly raise her two children. Anderson spent a year organizing her plans, researching how to make this a reality, as well as talking to several vendors and shaking hands with the right people in the industry. While to some it’s a cliché, to Anderson it’s her motto, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” In 2012, Change Boutique was open for business.

Over the last nine years, Change Boutique has not only become a Madison icon for locals, but also for the crafters living in establishing countries that make the clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Instead of buying clothing items made in an unethical sweat-shop, Change Boutique has made it possible for Madison residents to support humane fashion. Additionally, Change got involved with University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Textile and Apparel Program to teach the future clothing designers about the significance of sustainable business systems in clothing creation.

When time and money allows, Change Boutique gifts their abilities to several 501(c)3s in the Madison area, being Rainbow Project, DAIS, Project Respect, Slave Free Madison, Briarpatch, and Safe Harbor. Each of the non-profits campaign to meet the needs of at-risk women and children. In 2015, Isthmus and Madison Magazine’s reader polls voted Change Boutique as, “Best Women’s Clothing Boutique in Madison.”