This week's Tastemaker is Lindsay Mullenger, the founder of Petite Keep!

Lindsay wears the Shimmy Shimmy Tassel Dress in Ivory

Hi! I’m Lindsay Mullenger and the founder of Petite Keep! I’ve been with my husband, Charles, since we were 19 and together we have three little girls, Heidi (4), Bella (2), and Louisa (5 months). We lived across 5 states in our 20s, but have since permanently settled in our childhood home of Saint Louis, MO! 

A glimpse of a Petite Keep trunk from Instagram @petitekeep

What characteristics (cultural, personality etc) make you unique? 

I am relentlessly curious! I thrive on being around interesting people, and I love nothing more than asking lots of questions to get to know someone well. I’ve been known to make a good friend on a quick flight! 

What motivated you to start your own brand, Petite Keep? 

With the birth of my daughters, Heidi, Bella, and Louisa, came meaningful welcome cards, treasured baptismal mementos, and intricate, beautiful dresses that I simply couldn’t pack away in a plastic tub. I searched high and low for a classic keepsake box to store these many reminiscences and came up empty handed. Petite Keep was born. 

What is inspiring you at the moment? 

I’m super energized by the opportunity I have to build an idea into a business. There is nothing more rewarding than receiving positive feedback from delighted customers, and that inspires me to keep moving forward! 

How do you interpret “invest in yourself?” and what are the types of things you do to invest in/ empower yourself? 

I go into each day with the goal of feeling like my cup is full! Sometimes that means making time for a podcast or two, hopping on my Peloton, or getting a manicure. My family will always come first, and my business is a huge part of who I am right now, but I’ve found that there are other sporadic needs that I have to fill up that cup!

Both Mestiza and Petite Keep believe in the importance of keepsakes. What are some keepsakes of your own that you hope to pass down to the next generation? 

One of the most special keepsakes that I have in my possession today are the flutes that we toasted with on our wedding day. My mother-in-law passed them to my husband and I, and both of our names and wedding dates are etched in the silver -- it will be so special to pass that down at our daughters’ weddings one day. Additionally, my own mother saved a few dresses from when I was young, and it’s so fun to see our own girls in them and compare photos! I cannot wait for them to do the same with their future littles! 

Why is it important to you to empower women? 

I grew up with a working mother, and she still works today! For me, representation is everything. I want my daughters, and every other little girl in the world, to feel that their gender should never be in question when it comes to living a dream, or achieving the impossible. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 

I wouldn’t say that there is one piece of advice that stands out against the rest! I would say that I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by driven, intellectual, and down to earth individuals who have taken the time to mentor and shape me into who I am today. I have been so lucky to soak up tons of great advice from the people I love most! 

What draws you to the Mestiza brand? How does your Mestiza piece make you feel? 

I love the classic and feminine feel that Mestiza exudes as a brand. I am super obsessed with my Shimmy Shimmy dress! I love how it flows and it makes me feel fun and beautiful at the same time. Major bonus: I am smitten by anything that I can match with my little girls, and I can’t wait to go out on the town in our Shimmys together! 

Lindsay with two of her daughters, Heidi and Bella, in the matching Shimmy Tassel Dress!

What’s the best advice you could give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps? 

Start! If you have an idea, just go! There is no need to fear failure, celebrate it and keep moving onward.