Meet Julia Barglind of O.M.GIGI Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Barglind

Hi Julia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had a dream of opening my own clothing store, and during Covid, I finally decided to take the leap. I created a website and started selling children’s clothing online, naming the business after my daughter—Gigi, who was my biggest inspiration.

Things were going well online, but then I was invited to do a pop-up event. Knowing the audience would be broader, I decided to add women’s clothing to the mix just for that event. It ended up being a game-changer! The pop-up was a huge success, and what was originally planned to last just one week made me realize I needed a permanent space.

That realization led me to purchase and renovate a historic building, turning it into my very own brick-and-mortar boutique, O.M.GIGI Boutique. What started as a small online shop has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the journey and the incredible support and amazing people I have met along the way!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been an easy one. One of my biggest struggles has been managing work-life balance, especially with two little kids at home. In the beginning, I found it really difficult to step away from the business, but at the same time, I wanted to soak in every moment with my kids while they were still little. I didn’t want to miss out on that part of their lives, but I also felt the pressure of running and growing my boutique.

Another challenge I totally overlooked when opening my store was finding people I truly trust to run things when I’m not there. It’s not easy to hand over something you’ve built from the ground up, and I quickly realized that having a reliable team is essential. It’s definitely been a learning process, but over time, I’ve found ways to create more balance, trust in the people around me, and give myself a little more grace in both business and motherhood.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
O.M.GIGI Boutique is a carefully curated women’s clothing boutique located in the heart of downtown Iron Mountain. What started as a small online shop selling children’s clothing has since evolved into a thriving brick-and-mortar boutique offering a mix of trendy yet timeless pieces for women of all styles and ages.

At O.M.GIGI, we specialize in high-quality, stylish, and wearable fashion that makes women feel confident and comfortable. We’re known for our thoughtfully selected small batch clothing collections, including everyday essentials, statement pieces, denim, loungewear, activewear, accessories, and seasonal must-haves.

What truly sets us apart is our customer experience. We take pride in creating a space where women feel welcomed and inspired. Our team loves helping customers find pieces that make them feel amazing—we aren’t just selling clothes; we’re helping women build confidence through fashion in a space they feel welcomed and happy in.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve grown organically through community support and word-of-mouth. We are deeply rooted in our local community and love being a part of downtown Iron Mountain’s growth.

For those new to O.M.GIGI, I want you to know that we offer something for everyone—whether you’re shopping for a vacation, everyday essentials, or just a little wardrobe refresh. You can shop in-store or online at omgigishop.com, and we’re always here to help you style your perfect look.

We appreciate every single customer who has supported us along the way, and we can’t wait to continue bringing amazing fashion and a unique boutique experience to our community and beyond!

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Our experience during the COVID-19 crisis was quite different from most because I actually started my business during the pandemic—which was both exciting and terrifying. While launching an online store during that time made sense, purchasing a building and opening a physical storefront while everything around the world was closing was a very scary leap. There were so many unknowns, but I knew that taking the risk was the only way to bring my vision to life.

One of the greatest lessons I learned through this experience is that if something isn’t working, change it. Running a business is incredibly challenging, and there will always be obstacles—some expected, some completely out of your control. But if you truly love what you’re doing and believe in it, you’ll find a way to pivot, adapt, and keep pushing forward.

The pandemic taught me the importance of flexibility, resilience, and trusting my instincts. It reinforced that no business journey is a straight path, but the ability to embrace change, take risks, and stay passionate is what ultimately leads to success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://omgigishop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omgigishop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OMGIGISHOP/