Allow me to introduce you to the owners of Gandi Boutique, Kimberly and Caila Brigandi, or as I like to call them, The Gandi Girls! Many girls may grow up only to dream of playing dress up with their sister, but for Kimberly and Caila, that’s real life. Both sisters shared with me the love they have for each other and how happy they are to have come from such a close-knit family.

Growing up in a household of almost all girls, Kimberly and Caila also have another sister and Mom of course, so Dad was outnumbered. You may think that’s just too much glitz and glam under one roof for anyone to get along, but Kimberly and Caila are adamant that they are and have always been close. So, you can imagine the joy that was brought to their hearts when they decided to leave their full-time day jobs to pursue their dreams together, but this dream didn’t happen overnight.

© Benevolence Photography

Before Gandi Boutique came into the picture, Kimberly was working as a Forensic Crime Scene Investigator and Caila, as a Retail Store Manager. The girls were working regular and tasking 9-5 jobs and had been for years. As you can imagine, they eventually became burnt out and their hearts desired something new, something more! They began reminiscing and sharing their favorite sister memories and asking themselves what brought joy to their lives. They soon realized the times they felt happiest were the times they spent together. Specifically, on days that they like to call “sister days”, that were spent clothes shopping and enjoying a girls lunch out. They joked and dreamt up fun ideas of just how amazing it would be to own a clothing store together, but with Caila’s retail background and Kimberly’s analytic experience, they could see this vision as a real possibility and a business plan was immediately put into play.

They both admit they became obsessed over the idea and just knew that is was the right move for them. They spent countless hours doing research and asking anyone they knew about opening a business. Within just 2 short months after starting that very business plan, the girls had keys to their very own store, where the walls were filled with clothes from 35 different vendors; all from the L.A. Fashion District. Gandi Boutique officially opened its doors December of 2017 and they continue to work to make new looks and the latest trends available and affordable!

© Benevolence Photography

© Benevolence Photography

Both, Kimberly and Caila are the absolute sweetest and smile from ear to ear when I ask them if they still enjoy working together. “It’s a dream come true!” they say. The day I was in the store, I watched as customers walked through the door and both girls greeted regulars by first name and helped others find the perfect outfit when someone asked for help in finding a specific style.

Everything in the store is hand-picked by the girls and the best part is that nothing is over $30!

I asked the girls about their store name and they shared with me that the name Gandi comes from their last name, Brigandi, and their Mandala Logo symbolizes peace, balance and harmony; all the core values that represent their life and their business, which are overall great values to go by and all the more reason to visit Gandi and the sisters behind the counter!

© Benevolence Photography

You can find new arrivals every week at Gandi, so be sure to follow them on both Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss out on their beautiful clothes and jewelry, as well as monthly opportunities to enter their monthly Giveaways!

You can also shop online on their website. You can meet the Gandi Girls and shop at their Sanford location in the Super Target plaza, 1357 WP Ball Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771.

We want to give a very special thank you to Kimberly and Caila for making sure we looked our best for a recent photo shoot we did. They were so very patient and overly kind. Thank you, Gandi Girls!!

© Benevolence Photography

© Benevolence Photography

© Benevolence Photography

 

© Benevolence Photography

© Benevolence Photography