Divas and Princesses
Turning Fantasy into Reality!
Turning Fantasy into Reality!
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A Place where Little Misses Can Learn Some Manners By Robert Knox, Globe Correspondent | February 19, 2006 Who knows best what little girls want to be? Little girls. Who knows how they should act? Their mothers, of course. About a year and a half ago, Wendy Nolan opened Divas and Princesses, a high-concept boutique for girls from preschool through the teenage years, in North Easton. But, when Nolan interviewed local teenagers looking to work in her store, she discovered a larger market niche: She noticed that the teenagers looking to work for her showed up for the interviews chewing gum and wearing short jean skirts and flip-flops. No one, it seemed, had taught them otherwise. Thus, an etiquette school was born. 'Essentially, we teach the girls etiquette and social skills that are necessary components for lifelong success in any circumstance or environment," Nolan said. But etiquette is not a straitjacket, she said. ''We don't try to change them. What we try to do is bring out the best in themselves." The class helps embed the notion that there are social rules of which the children should become more aware as they grow, she said. The idea, she said, is ''to wake up each morning and say, 'This is how I'm going to act the rest of the day.' " The venture is a major departure from Nolan's past life as a traveling saleswoman. After years on the road, Nolan was looking for a way to work near home in Stoughton and spend more time with her daughter, Tara. Together they developed an idea for a store based on the universally observed premise, Nolan said, that ''little girls love to get dressed up and pretend to be princesses." Her husband came up with the Divas and Princesses name, and it stuck. Their shop in a commercial stretch of Washington Street has proved a local draw as it has evolved from its original mission to include the etiquette classes. Divas and Princesses still operates as a boutique and offers makeovers: You can be a princess or a diva, with princesses heavily favored by the younger set. Its birthday-party package is popular with the 10-and-under set. ''Sometimes the moms are more excited than the kids," Nolan said. Tara, who is 13 and the store's ''product manager," studies catalogs after school. Her mother said that she knows what products and merchandise girls would like better than an adult would. Cheryl Warburton of Mansfield, whose daughters, Mikayla, 8, and Lindsay, 6, have attended the course, said it meets the need parents feel to mold their children ''into the sort of human beings you want them to become." The class, Warburton said, was a ''positive influence, a comfortable way of reinforcing some of the things I feel are important." Plus, she said, it was a confidence booster for her daughters in social settings. ''They knew what was expected of them." The class works for children because it is taught in ''a fun context" and because Nolan has a good knack for relating to children, Warburton said. Classes are small, with as few as two or three children and no more than 10. The etiquette class -- divided into three age groups -- is a three-session course. A summer session ''charm camp" also has proved to be popular. The store's curriculum is based on the book, ''Be the Best You Can Be: A Guide to Etiquette & Self-improvement for Children and Teens," by Robin Thompson. Nolan is licensed to use its materials by the Etiquette Network, an Illinois-based company that offers etiquette lessons to companies and individuals. It was founded by Thompson. ''We teach them how to make a good first impression -- good posture, walking, a pleasant voice, table and dining manners," all items needed, Nolan said, ''to be a social success" and ''be happy with your appearance." Minding your manners Stoughton Journal By Kari Kline/ Correspondent Friday, February 17, 2006 Wendy Nolan of Stoughton had been looking for a way to spend more time with her daughter, Tara. On a trip west when Tara was 9, she found it. Mother and daughter went to a business where Tara’s hair was set and she got a makeover. The Nolans were both so impressed that two years later, when Tara was 11, Nolan again began thinking about that visit. She thought it might be a great idea for a mother/daughter business. She recalled how she and Tara used to play dress up. "She’d put makeup on me and I would go out looking like a monster," Nolan laughed. Consequently, Nolan began researching options to make the idea into a business she would enjoy running. Wendy Nolan, of Stoughton, opened Divas and Princess in Easton, as a mother/daughter business. (Courtesy photo) Meanwhile daughter, Tara, now 13, has benefited from being involved with the business. Tara calls herself the product manager of the store and Nolan attests that the title is true. All orders are run by Tara for approval, she said. "This is building Tara’s business sense," Nolan said. "She’s learning about reporting to work on time and working under a supervisor." And the etiquette is certainly not lost on Tara as her teachers at the Foxboro Regional Charter School will attest. Nolan said they always say her daughter is so polite. Divas and Princesses is also all about turning fantasy into reality, said Nolan. "After each girl has had a makeover, we ask do you feel like a princess rather than do you think you look like a princess?" Nolan said. Whether the girls choose to become a princess or a diva is unimportant. Rather, it’s the bolstering of self-esteem that really puts the shine in the girls’ eyes, Nolan said. Nolan said she models her classes after author Robin Thompson’s ideas illustrated in the book, "Be the Best You Can Be." Want to go? For more information about Divas and Princesses, 20 Roche Way, Rte. 138, in Easton, call 508-230-3486. Divas and Princesses offers Valentine makeover tips for girls and teens With a plush interior and the goal of “turning fantasy into reality”, Divas and Princesses is a distinctive shop and party concept designed to fulfill girls’ creative fantasies, make every girl feel glamorous, and help them look and be their best. Distribution Source : ArriveNet Date : Tuesday, January 17, 2006 Easton, Mass. -- (ArriveNet - Jan 17, 2006) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATELINE: EASTON, MASS… Divas and Princesses of Easton, a unique accessory, makeover and “etiquette” boutique shares Valentine’s Day makeover tips for girls ages 4 to 14 years old. With a plush interior and the goal of “turning fantasy into reality”, Divas and Princesses is a distinctive shop and party concept designed to fulfill girls’ creative fantasies, make every girl feel glamorous, and help them look and be their best. Divas and Princesses Boutique shares makeover tips for girls on Valentine’s Day: Hair “Do’s”. A special day calls for a new hairstyle! No need to run to the salon for a cut, use your imagination (or check out a few style magazines) and create a new look for yourself. With all the glamorous clips, pins, scrunchies, combs, headbands and fasteners, as well as curling and straightening hair irons, there are endless ways to wear your hair - up, to the side, braided, pulled back and so on. Just want a simple, yet elegant look? Thoroughly brush your hair, wear it hair down and add a jeweled bobby pin or two. Really “glamming” it up like a rock star? Give your hair a few spritzes of glittery hairspray to hold your “do” in place. Pretty face and hands. Aside from your winning personality, your hands and face are two things most noticed about you. Take care of your facial skin by gently cleansing it every day. For a Valentine’s look, add some sparkle and shine to your face with glittery lip gloss and “eye-popping” eye jewels! Pamper those hands by cleaning and filing your nails, softening your hands with lotion and applying your favorite nail polish. For the “diva” look, just add nail jewels and a few bangle or jelly bracelets! Dress up. Whether you like to wear sequined dresses or stylish jeans with your favorite cashmere sweater, dress in a special outfit on Valentine’s Day. You don’t have to purchase anything new, simply create a fresh look from the fantastic items right in your closet. Accessorize, accessorize accessorize. Every ensemble needs the finishing touch of accessories! From feather boas, tiaras and cool headpieces to glitzy hairclips, dangling earrings, beaded necklaces or “fashionista” sunglasses, a few pieces are all you need to turn yourself into a glamour diva or princess. Walking tall. As we have said, when you look your best, you feel more confident. Let it show in your posture…stand up straight, hold your head high and smile! “Valentine’s Day should be a special day for girls to celebrate in their own unique way,” noted Wendy Nolan, founder of the boutique, who runs the shop with her 12 year-old daughter, Tara. Tara is both a co-owner and savvy product manager. “Girls can make the day extraordinary by taking time out to pamper themselves. At Divas and Princesses our goal is to turn fantasy into reality while helping every girl to be the best they can be. Girls’ self- confidence increases when they look and feel their best.” To learn more about Divas and Princesses Boutique, visit their website at www.divasandprincesses.com or contact (508) 230-3486. Non-profit Group Discount Now non-profit organizations such as the Girls Scouts and girls’ youth athletic groups will receive a 10 percent discount on parties at Divas and Princesses Boutique. The Diva Story Divas and Princesses’ unique boutique caters to girls from ages 4 to 14 years of age with makeovers, birthday parties and a retail shop for jewelry and accessories. The Boutique also holds ongoing Etiquette classes. Led by founder Wendy Nolan, girls and teens learn good manners, image enhancement, social skills and self-improvement, which better enables them to “survive and thrive” in an adult world. Through examples and discussions, the students will learn among other things: How to make a good first impression; cultivate a pleasant voice; follow telephone etiquette; use good table and dining manners; be happy with their appearance; how to be a social success and for older teens, job interview tips. Divas and Princesses is run by a mother-daughter team, who were originally looking for a way to combine work, play and family time. Sharing the joy of imagination and turning girls’ style fantasies into realities, Divas and Princesses is located at 20 Roche Bros. Way, #8 on Route 138, in North Easton, Mass. For more information visit their website at www.divasandprincesses.com or contact (508) 230-3486. |
A traveling salesperson, Nolan used her expertise to do research on the idea. After attending vendor nights
at school and handing out surveys, Nolan felt she had honed and formulated the plan for a good
business. Then, four years later, in July 2004, Divas and Princesses opened. It was the fifth business to
open at the new Roche Brothers Plaza in Easton. Although the business has several facets including
makeovers and parties, the etiquette aspect is perhaps the most unusual. Nolan said she’s received
comments from parents about etiquette part of the business, from "My daughter could use that," to "What a
great idea."
Etiquette class is taught in a four-week session, one and a half hours per week. Children do role-playing
and listen to lectures in order to learn the basics. "We expose them to what is appropriate social behavior,"
she said. Nolan said she teaches poise and posture in her etiquette classes. "Sitting tall and looking
straight at a person and making eye contact is very important," she said. She teaches the children how to
shake hands with a firm grip. "Not like a wet noodle," she added. She also teaches how to overcome
shyness. "We show videos that illustrate shy behavior such as the little girl in the corner, or the child with
her head down," she said. She then shows children how to overcome these same behaviors. For instance,
Nolan said she teaches kids that it’s okay to go over to the new kid in school and say hello, instead of
waiting for him or her to come over to them. "The classes foster self confidence," she said.
at school and handing out surveys, Nolan felt she had honed and formulated the plan for a good
business. Then, four years later, in July 2004, Divas and Princesses opened. It was the fifth business to
open at the new Roche Brothers Plaza in Easton. Although the business has several facets including
makeovers and parties, the etiquette aspect is perhaps the most unusual. Nolan said she’s received
comments from parents about etiquette part of the business, from "My daughter could use that," to "What a
great idea."
Etiquette class is taught in a four-week session, one and a half hours per week. Children do role-playing
and listen to lectures in order to learn the basics. "We expose them to what is appropriate social behavior,"
she said. Nolan said she teaches poise and posture in her etiquette classes. "Sitting tall and looking
straight at a person and making eye contact is very important," she said. She teaches the children how to
shake hands with a firm grip. "Not like a wet noodle," she added. She also teaches how to overcome
shyness. "We show videos that illustrate shy behavior such as the little girl in the corner, or the child with
her head down," she said. She then shows children how to overcome these same behaviors. For instance,
Nolan said she teaches kids that it’s okay to go over to the new kid in school and say hello, instead of
waiting for him or her to come over to them. "The classes foster self confidence," she said.