Community Spotlight: Uncommon Opal Boutique
Amid the bustling streets of Cabot, Arkansas, stands Uncommon Opal Boutique, a sanctuary of style and empowerment born from the resilience and vision of Kaci Belden. The store symbolizes a journey from adversity to triumph, offering women affordable fashion that celebrates their unique beauty.
Belden, a lifelong resident of Cabot, originally embarked on a career in education. However, her path took an unexpected turn when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. On the same day that schools shut down, she received two life-changing pieces of news: her daughter was diagnosed with cancer, and she discovered she was pregnant. Faced with overwhelming personal challenges, Belden made the difficult decision to leave teaching to focus on her family.
“I needed to be here and take care of her and everything, so I stopped teaching that day,” she said. “And then I wasn’t really focused on my career for a while. I was just really focused on her, and then I was able to focus on having my baby. After I got her through the main scary parts of it and we were kind of on the downhill slope of it and I had my youngest daughter, I started thinking about going back to work and things like that. Going back to teaching wasn’t in the cards at the time.”
During this difficult period, Belden’s passion for helping others remained unwavering. Inspired by her own struggles with body image and clothing after significant weight loss, she envisioned a boutique that would empower women and boost their confidence. In 2022, Uncommon Opal Boutique opened its doors, offering a carefully curated selection of affordable boutique clothing designed to make every woman feel beautiful.
“My thought process behind it wasn’t ‘ I love clothes, I love shopping. So why not?’ That wasn’t my thought process. It was more of ‘I would really enjoy and really would love to help each woman that comes in to feel confident in what they’re wearing and help them pick out something that makes them feel beautiful’ because a lot of time, like I know personally, when I walk into a store, I walk in with my insecurities. I walk in with those worries if I’m gonna be able to even find anything that looks good on me.”
Belden’s journey from the classroom to boutique ownership was not without its hurdles. She initially opened Uncommon Opal Boutique on Main Street but had to close it after a year due to various personal and family health issues. However, her determination led her to reopen the boutique in a new location at 2006 S Pine St. Suite E over Mother’s Day weekend this year.
Uncommon Opal Boutique distinguishes itself through its commitment to affordability and customer service. Belden and her team, including her longtime friend and store manager Kayla Moore, strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where women can shop without the insecurities that often accompany clothing purchases. They take pride in helping customers find outfits that not only fit well but also enhance their confidence.
“It may sound silly, but for a female, what you’re wearing, your hair, when you don’t have those things, it takes away some of your identity more than you would think,” she said. “I didn’t really realize that until my daughter was going through what she was going through and lost all of her hair. It took a big part of her identity away. Her body went through changes with all of the chemo and stuff, and she wasn’t able to wear the cute clothing that she wanted to like the other girls were. It, again, took a big chuck of her identity away… You voice your identity based on your appearance and how you put yourself out there. A new outfit and a pair of shoes can change your outlook on things and have people look at you a different way.”
One of the boutique’s most compelling success stories involves a customer who needed an outfit for a 40th birthday party. With Belden’s personalized assistance, she found the perfect ensemble. “She took a picture in it at the party and sent it to me yesterday, and she said ‘I got so many compliments on this outfit. Thank you so, so much for helping me find this. I feel beautiful,’” Belden said. “That is the reason behind why I want to do it.” These moments of connection and empowerment are at the heart of Uncommon Opal Boutique’s mission.
In addition to its focus on individual customers, Uncommon Opal Boutique actively participates in community events and charitable activities. Belden believes in giving back to the community that has supported her through thick and thin. The boutique regularly takes part in local vendor events, with proceeds often going to families dealing with financial hardships related to cancer treatments.
As Uncommon Opal Boutique continues to grow, Belden envisions it as a place where every woman, regardless of size or shape, can find clothing that makes her feel confident and beautiful. She aims to break the stereotype of expensive boutique shopping by offering stylish outfits at prices that reflect the economic realities of her community.
“I’m not in it to make a lot of money. I’m not in it to get rich,” Belden said. “I just want to offer the boutique brands and the boutique style, but more to an affordable price because I just can’t justify charging almost $100 for a shirt when people are struggling to put gas in their tanks and struggling to feed their kids. Especially right now with prices going up for everything. I just cannot justify doing that just for me to make a buck.”
Belden’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, passion and perseverance can lead to new beginnings. Uncommon Opal Boutique is more than a business; it is a beacon of hope, community, and empowerment in Cabot.
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