Ohana Means Family: A Boutique Dream Finds Its Home in Little Falls

When Stephanie Hoehle first imagined her future, it didn’t include a boutique. In fact, she was preparing to open a daycare facility in Little Falls just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down nearly everything—and forced her to pivot.

“It was one of those moments where I realized I needed to change direction,” she says. That shift in direction led Stephanie to a job at a local med spa with a small, unused storefront room—and a spark of inspiration. She had long enjoyed shopping at boutiques herself and thought, Why not start something simple right here? That seed of an idea soon bloomed into Ohana Boutique, which officially opened its doors in February 2024.

The name Ohana—a Hawaiian word meaning family—was inspired by her son and the beloved movie Lilo & Stitch, whose famous line, Ohana means family. No one gets left behind, still resonates deeply with her. “It felt like the perfect fit,” Stephanie says. “Family is at the center of everything I do.”

Stephanie rents the front space from the med spa, transforming it into a warm, welcoming shop that draws in foot traffic from downtown and spa visitors alike. With a carefully curated collection of clothing, gifts, lotions, sprays, and other thoughtful items, Ohana Boutique has quickly become a favorite local stop.

“I try to keep my prices as low as I can while still making a living,” Stephanie says. “It’s important to me that people feel comfortable coming in and finding something special—whether it's a treat for themselves or a quick gift for someone else.”

The community has been supportive since day one, and Stephanie credits her strong first year in part to the blend of regulars and seasonal visitors, as well as downtown events and craft fairs that bring people through the door. Still, like many entrepreneurs, she knew she’d need financial support to get the business off the ground—and that’s where North Central Economic Development Association (NCEDA) came in.

Working with Julie Anderholm and the SBDC to create a business plan, Stephanie was introduced to NCEDA’s Entrepreneur Loan Fund. She ultimately partnered with Stephanie Barney at NCEDA to secure a loan that, combined with her own personal investment, helped launch the boutique.

“Everyone I worked with was just amazing,” she says. “They answered all my questions—still do, if anything comes up—and were just super responsive and easy to work with. That kind of support means everything when you’re doing something scary and new.”

Now, over a year in, Stephanie is already dreaming about what’s next. She’s exploring opportunities to expand into more space within the building and hopes to take Ohana Boutique on the road for more pop-ups and local events. “Life gets busy, but being part of the community in that way really matters to me,” she says.

Stephanie still works a full-time job and is a mom of three, but the boutique has given her a new sense of creative and financial freedom. “If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be not to wait so long,” she says. “It’s scary, yes, but so worth it.”

To others thinking about launching their own small business, she offers this advice: Just go for it. “There’s always going to be fear and risk,” she says. “But you can’t grow if you don’t start. And with support like what I received from NCEDA, it’s possible to take that leap.” For Stephanie Hoehle, Ohana Boutique is more than a storefront. It’s a story of resilience, family, and finding your way back to joy.